Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Genome Watch
  • Published:

A more convenient truth

Abstract

The current concern about global warming and potential future energy sources is forcing governments and researchers to think about fuel alternatives. Microorganisms have the potential to make various fuels, including ethanol, hydrogen and methane. The ability to exploit this potential is dependent on a deep understanding of the underlying biological processes. Genome sequencing and interpretation can contribute to understanding these processes, as the four genomes discussed here show.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1: Metabolic pathways of biofuel producers.
Figure 2: Thin-section electron micrographs of Methanosarcina barkeri Fusaro.

References

  1. Wu, M. et al. Life in hot carbon monoxide: the complete genome sequence of Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans Z-2901. PLoS Genet. 1, e65 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Hendrickson, E. L. et al. Complete genome sequence of the genetically tractable hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanococcus maripaludis. J. Bacteriol. 186, 6956–6969 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Maeder, D.L. et al. The Methanosarcina barkeri genome: comparative analysis with Methanosarcina acetivorans and Methanosarcina mazei reveals extensive rearrangement within methanosarcinal genomes. J. Bacteriol. 188, 7922–7931 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Seo, J.-S. et al. The genome sequence of the ethanologenic bacterium Zymomonas mobilis ZM4. Nature Biotechnol. 23, 63–68 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Related links

Related links

DATABASES

Entrez Genome Project

Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans

Methanococcus maripaludis

Methanosarcina acetivorans

Methanosarcina barkeri

Methanosarcina mazei

Rhodospirillum rubrum

Zymomonas mobilis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Seth-Smith, H. A more convenient truth. Nat Rev Microbiol 5, 248–250 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1644

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1644

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing