Methods in Methane Metabolism, Part A

Produced by microbes on a large scale, methane is an important alternative fuel as well as a potent greenhouse gas. This volume focuses on microbial methane metabolism, which is central to the global carbon cycle. Both methanotrophy and methanogenesis are covered in detail. Topics include isolation and classification of microorganisms, metagenomics approaches, biochemistry of key metabolic enzymes, gene regulation and genetic systems, and field measurements. The state-of-the-art techniques described here will both guide researchers in specific pursuits and educate the wider scientific community about this exciting and rapidly developing field.

1. Techniques for Cultivating Methanogens 2. Genetic Methods for Methanosarcina species 3. Genetic Systems for Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens 4. Molecular tools for investigating ANME community structure and function 5. Studying gene regulation in methanogenic archaea 6. Growth of Methanogens Under Defined Hydrogen Conditions 7. Preparation of [Fe]-hydrogenase from methanogenic archaea 8. Assay of methylotrophic methyltransferases from methanogenic archaea 9. Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase from Methanothermobacter marburgensis 10. Methods for Analysis of Acetyl-CoA Synthase: Applications to bacterial and archaeal systems 11. Acetate Kinase and Phosphotransacetylase 12. Sodium ion translocation and ATP synthesis in methanogens 13. Proton translocation in methanogens 14. Measuring isotope fractionation by autotrophic microorganisms and enzymes 15. 2-Oxoacid Metabolism in Methanogenic CoM and CoB Biosynthesis 16. Biomethanation and its potential