Methane Biosynthesis

Dear Colleagues,

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential nearly 30 times greater than CO₂. At the same time, it serves as an abundant and renewable fuel source with vast applications in energy storage, transportation, electricity production, and chemical synthesis. Methanogenesis, the biological production of methane, is a key process in the global carbon cycle, primarily carried out by methanogens that convert one-carbon compounds (CO₂, CH₃OH, N(CH₃)₃) and acetate into methane. Understanding methanogenesis is crucial for addressing climate change and fostering a sustainable bioeconomy. Despite significant advances in characterizing methane formation from carbon compounds and acetate, key gaps remain in our knowledge of electron transport mechanisms, energy conservation, and oxidative stress response in methanogens. Additionally, while the enzymatic pathways involved in methane metabolism have been partially characterized, a complete understanding of these processes is still lacking. Beyond their ecological significance, methanogens are increasingly recognized for their potential involvement in human diseases, including obesity, brain abscesses, colorectal cancer, periodontitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. This highlights the need for a deeper exploration of the role of methanogens in gut metabolism and their broader impact on health. This Special Issue invites contributions that explore the biochemical, ecological, and medical aspects of methanogenesis, including but not limited to the following: characterization of enzymes and their reaction mechanisms in methane metabolism; investigating respiratory growth in methanogens alongside fermentative pathways; elucidating electron transport processes coupled with energy conservation; understanding methanogen adaptation under diverse environmental conditions; exploring the role of methanogens in gut microbiota and their association with diseases; and strategies to regulate methane formation and oxidation to mitigate climate impact. By addressing these topics, this Special Issue aims to advance our knowledge of methanogenesis and its broader implications for energy, climate change, and human health. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute to this growing field.

Dr. Divya Prakash
Dr. James Ferry
Dr. Shikha Singh Chauhan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• methane
• methanogenesis
• methanogens
• carbon cycle
• gut microbiota
• energy conservation
• human diseases