Methane is a potent greenhouse gas contributing significantly to the greenhouse effect, and its mitigation remains a major goal in agriculture. Ruminants are major contributor to methane emission as a result of the microbial fermentation occurring during digestion in the rumen. Ciliate protozoa, eukaryotic microorganisms found in the rumen, were suggested to contribute to methane emission via their interactions with methanogens; the methane producing organisms in the rumen. In our lab, we aim to uncover those potential interactions between protozoa and methanogens in the rumen and their connection to methane production.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas contributing significantly to the greenhouse effect, and its mitigation remains a major goal in agriculture. Ruminants are major contributor to methane emission as a result of the microbial fermentation occurring during digestion in the rumen. Ciliate protozoa, eukaryotic microorganisms found in the rumen, were suggested to contribute to methane emission via their interactions with methanogens; the methane producing organisms in the rumen. In our lab, we aim to uncover those potential interactions between protozoa and methanogens in the rumen and their connection to methane production.