Methane oxidising bacteria (MOB) also commonly named methanotrophs are the biological filter for the greenhouse gas methane in nature. They are ubiquitous and present in terrestrial and aquatic environments where they consume methane from different sources.
We are using novel techniques for cultivation of MOB and apply these in combination with classical methods for cultivation. Our experimental studies address physiology and metabolism of individual MOB isolated from the environment to understand their function and adaptation to specific environments. Special emphasize is on methanotrophs in the active soil layer of permafrost ecosystems and methanotrophs able to live on atmospheric concentrations of methane. We also study the biodiversity and activity of MOB in situ and how this biological methane filter responds to above ground vegetation changes and gradients of environmental changes such as melting of permafrost in the Arctic.
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Contact: Mette Marianne Svenning