Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Archaea01:29

Overview of Archaea

1.4K
Archaea, named after the Archaean eon, represent a unique domain of life, distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes, with remarkable traits. Their cellular and molecular features, ecological adaptability, and industrial relevance highlight their importance in understanding life processes and leveraging biotechnology.Cellular and Molecular CharacteristicsA defining feature of archaea is their unique membrane composition. Archaeal membranes contain ether-linked isoprenoid lipids, which confer...
1.4K
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs01:15

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

1.1K
Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
1.1K
Diversity of Archaea I01:30

Diversity of Archaea I

793
Archaea, a domain of single-celled microorganisms, are classified into five major phyla based on genetic and biochemical characteristics: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, Korarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota. Among these, the phylum Euryarchaeota is notable for its remarkable diversity in morphology, metabolism, and ecological adaptations.Morphological and Metabolic DiversityMembers of Euryarchaeota exhibit a variety of cellular shapes, including rods and cocci. Their metabolic pathways...
793
Green Algae01:21

Green Algae

1.0K
Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
1.0K
Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

22.7K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
22.7K
Microbial Nutrition01:28

Microbial Nutrition

1.8K
Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
1.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

<i>Caldifarcimen microaerophilum</i> gen. nov., sp. nov., a facultatively anaerobic, thermophilic bacterium of a novel bacterial phylum, <i>Caldifarciminota</i> phyl. nov., formerly called candidate phylum WOR-3, description of <i>Caldifarciminaceae</i> fam. nov., <i>Caldifarciminales</i> ord. nov. and <i>Caldifarciminia</i> classis nov.

International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology·2026
Same author

<i>Leucogemmata humicola</i> gen. nov., sp. nov., an oligotrophic bacterium of the under-represented phylum <i>Gemmatimonadota</i> isolated from soil.

International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology·2026
Same author

Complete genome sequence of <i>Aquabacterium</i> sp. strain TM01, a membrane-adherent bacterium isolated from a membrane bioreactor treating municipal sewage.

Microbiology resource announcements·2026
Same author

Rapid detection and strain-level identification of milk-borne bacteria using a polymer-based chemical tongue.

Journal of materials chemistry. B·2026
Same author

A fingerprint-based polymeric sensing platform for comprehensive quality assessment of complex culture media in cell manufacturing.

Chemical science·2026
Same author

Draft genome sequence of <i>Denitratisoma</i> sp. strain agr-D3, isolated from common reed using a droplet-based cultivation method.

Microbiology resource announcements·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
07:26

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands

Published on: January 31, 2025

947

Methane production from coal by a single methanogen.

Daisuke Mayumi1, Hanako Mochimaru1, Hideyuki Tamaki2

  • 1Institute for Geo-Resources and Environment, Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8567, Japan.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 15, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Microbial methanogenesis can now utilize complex aromatic compounds found in coal. This discovery expands our understanding of natural gas formation and the global carbon cycle.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Designing Simple and Inexpensive Techniques to Grow Methane-Oxidizing Bacteria in the Laboratory
07:31

Author Spotlight: Designing Simple and Inexpensive Techniques to Grow Methane-Oxidizing Bacteria in the Laboratory

Published on: September 6, 2024

1.4K
Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production
07:34

Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production

Published on: March 22, 2024

3.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
07:26

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands

Published on: January 31, 2025

947
Author Spotlight: Designing Simple and Inexpensive Techniques to Grow Methane-Oxidizing Bacteria in the Laboratory
07:31

Author Spotlight: Designing Simple and Inexpensive Techniques to Grow Methane-Oxidizing Bacteria in the Laboratory

Published on: September 6, 2024

1.4K
Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production
07:34

Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production

Published on: March 22, 2024

3.5K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Geochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

Background:

  • Coal-bed methane is a significant unconventional natural gas resource.
  • The role of microbial activity in coal-bed methane formation is recognized, but the utilization of complex aromatic compounds for methanogenesis remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of methanogens to produce methane from complex aromatic compounds present in coal.
  • To elucidate the metabolic pathways involved in this novel form of methanogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and cultivation of deep subsurface-derived methanogens, specifically *Methermicoccus* species.
  • Incubation of methanogens with various methoxylated aromatic compounds (MACs) and coal samples containing MACs.
  • Analysis of methane production and metabolic byproducts to understand the biochemical pathways.

Main Results:

  • *Methermicoccus* methanogens demonstrated the ability to produce methane from over 30 types of methoxylated aromatic compounds (MACs).
  • Methane production was also observed from coals containing MACs.
  • A novel "methoxydotrophic" methanogenesis pathway was identified, involving O-demethylation, CO2 reduction, and potentially acetyl-coenzyme A metabolism.

Conclusions:

  • Methoxydotrophic methanogenesis represents a new pathway for natural gas formation, distinct from those utilizing one- and two-carbon compounds.
  • The widespread occurrence of MACs derived from lignin in subsurface sediments suggests this pathway is significant for coal-bed methane and potentially other natural gas formations.
  • This process likely plays a crucial role in the global carbon cycle.