Methanosarcina barkeri

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Methanosarcina barkeri

Methanosarcina barkeri. Used with permission from Dr. Huub Op den Camp of Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Classification

Higher order taxa

NCBI: Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Methanomicrobia; Methanosarcinales; Methanosarcinaceae; Methanosarcina

Species

NCBI: Methanosarcina barkeri

Strains

NCBI: Methanosarcina barkeri str. Fusaro

Methanosarcina barkeri str. MS
Methanosarcina barkeri str. W
Methanosarcina barkeri str. 227

Description and significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.

Genome structure

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Cell structure and metabolism

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Ecology

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Pathology

Methanosarcina barkeri is an archaea and therefore causes no known diseases. As an interesting side note, M. barkeri may be responsible for up to 17% of the world's atmospheric methane, a known greenhouse gas. Therefore, it is possible that M. barkeri is contributing to global warming.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

Balch, WE, Fox, GE, Magrum, LJ, Woese, CR, and Wolfe, RS. "Methanogens: Reevaluation of a Unique Biological Group". Microbiological Reviews. June 1979. p. 260-296.
Maeder DL, Anderson I, Brettin TS, Bruce DC, Gilna P, Han CS, Lapidus A, Metcalf WW, Saunders E, Tapia R, Sowers KR. "The Methanosarcina barkeri Genome: Comparative Analysis with ...". Journal of Bacteriology. 2006. 188-22, p. 7922-7931.
Stadtman, TC and Barker, HA. "STUDIES ON THE METHANE FERMENTATION IX. The Origin of Methane in the Acetate and Methanol Fermentations by Methanosarcina". Journal of Bacteriology. 1951. 61-1, p. 81-86.
"Cutting cattle's methane emissions". USA Today (Magazine). June 01, 2002.

Edited by Ian Kerman, a student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.