MethanoPEP

Methanogenic archaea (methanogens) employ a unique energy metabolism, methanogenesis, with global ecological and geochemical importance. Methanogens fulfill essential functions in industrial processes, either in anaerobic digestion, forming part of undefined multi-species consortia or as pure cultures of thermophilic methanogens for Power-to-Gas energy storage applications.

Despite the fact that the biochemical and bioenergetic mechanisms of methanogenesis are well understood, and that systems for genetic manipulation have been developed for some model methanogens, their biotechnological application is currently limited to their methane-producing capability. The goal of the MethanoPEP project is to spur the use of methanogens as platform organisms in biotechnology by amending their applicability beyond methane production.

This goal can be achieved by closing the gap between the knowledge about methanogenic metabolism and its manipulation, on one side, and the limited industrial use of these organisms, on the other side. To this end, we will (i) apply novel concepts for cultivating methanogens, (ii) develop genetic tools tailored for industrial application to broaden the product spectrum of methanogens, and (iii) genetically engineer methanogens to produce isoprenoids by extending their endogenous metabolic capabilities. Importantly, methanogens offer intrinsic benefits for industrial application, such as simple nutrient requirements, utilization of renewable and/or waste energy sources, proven process stability for certain species, and the production of an easy to separate metabolic end-product, methane. By combining these benefits with the achievements of MethanoPEP the applicability of methanogens as versatile platform organisms in biotechnology will be greatly extended. The knowledge base created by investigating model species of two genera will lead to the identification of aspects requiring improvement and, thus, guide the development of integrated production processes employing methanogens.

The MethanoPEP consortium consists of research groups from the TU Dresden, the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, the Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, the Techische Hochschule Mittelhessen, and one industrial partner, Electrochaea GmbH, all with complementary expertise. In order to establish methanogenic archaea as platform organisms for industrial bioeconomy, the project partners od MethanoPEP will address basic and applied research questions using two model genera: Methanosarcina and Methanothermobacter.