Adaptive evolution of anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea mediating methane oxidation in freshwater environments

Methane cycling in natural sediments

Methane is a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is a key biological process estimated to mitigate the release of up to 90% of methane into the atmosphere in some environments, making it a critical consideration for climate change models. This process is mediated by phylogenetically diverse lineages of anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea. The overall aim of this work will be to uncover the metabolic diversity of the Methanoperedenaceae and to understand the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for these adaptations.

The Adaptive evolution of anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea mediating methane oxidation in freshwater environments project will integrate multi-omic approaches with novel visualisation techniques and bioinformatic analyses to increase our understanding of the archaeal family Methanoperedenaceae. More specifically, the project will:

  • help us increase the genomic representation and identify the metabolic diversity of the family
  • gain insight into the evolutionary processes shaping metabolic capabilities of the family
  • elucidate the importance of these microorganisms to global biogeochemical cycles and the Earth’s climate.

Outcomes

The proposed research will help to identify important links between the global climate and the metabolic activities of specific microorganisms. Increased global temperatures have already had substantial impacts on freshwater and marine ecosystems in Australia, negatively affecting agricultural production, tourism, and human health. Our ability to minimise the impact of climate change will depend on accurate predictive models. Such models require an understanding of the microorganisms involved in methane cycling in the environment.

Chief Investigators

Team

  • Andy Leu
  • Georgina Joyce
  • Kirill Orlov

Funding / Grants

  • ARC Future Fellowship #FT170100070 (Prof. Tyson)
  • ARC Future Fellowship #FT190100211 (Dr McIlroy)