Biology, Diversity, and Ecology of Methanotrophic Bacteria

Dear Colleagues,

Aerobic methanotrophic bacteria are one of the metabolically unique groups of prokaryotes, which play a key role in the global cycling of the potent greenhouse gas methane and other one-carbon compounds. Despite the long history of studying aerobic methanotrophs, these bacteria remain an inexhaustible source of exciting discoveries. These include earlier unknown phenotypes of methanotrophic bacteria, unexpected features of their metabolic organization, and novel aspects of their functioning in the environment. Cultivation-independent studies have revealed the existence of diverse groups of methanotrophs that have not yet been cultured and represent a challenge for further cultivation studies as well as for cultivation-independent -omics approaches. We welcome all kinds of studies covering various aspects of biology, metabolic and taxonomic diversity, ecology and environmental importance of methanotrophic bacteria. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following: novel methanotrophic bacteria; genome-based systematics of methanotrophs; as-yet-unexplored metabolic traits of aerobic methanotrophs and/or synthetic methanotrophy; plant-associated methanotrophs; symbioses and cooperative relationships in native communities; aerobic methanotrophy in extreme environments; ecology and in situ activity of methanotrophic bacteria.

Guest Editors

Dr. Svetlana N. Dedysh
Prof. Marina G. Kalyuzhnaya
Prof. Lisa Y. Stein