The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Mechanistic insights into photosynthesis-associated methane production in Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101
ID:1159 Invited Oral Presentation

2027-01-15 10:20 (China Standard Time)

Session: Session 78 - Bidirectional Effects of Algae on Carbon Sequestration and Methane Production Under Global Change

Abstract
Aerobic methane production by the marine diazotrophic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101 has been documented and is stimulated by external supplies of methylphosphonate and increasing temperatures. Moreover, previous studies demonstrate that inhibition of the photosynthetic electron transport (PET) chain suppresses methane production under light conditions, suggesting a close association between PET and methane formation. Yet, the mechanisms underlying this methane production remain unknown. In this study, we investigated possible molecular foundations of photosynthesis-associated methane production in exponentially growing and photosynthesizing cultures of T. erythraeum IMS101throughout the diel cycle (12 h light–12 h dark). We combined physiological measurements including photophysiological parameters, carbon fixation and methane production with transcriptomic analyses obtained from extracted and sequenced RNA. We focused on metabolic pathways and possible genes whose transcription patterns may be specifically associated with methane production such as transcriptional changes in PET, chlorophyll catabolism, and photosynthetic C₁ metabolism, three metabolically interconnected pathways hypothesized to contribute to methane formation. This work aims to provide a transcriptome-wide characterization of the molecular basis of methane production in Trichodesmium grown on inorganic dissolved phosphorus (phosphate) and contribute to understanding some of the mechanisms and pathways contributing to photosynthesis-associated marine methane production.
 
Speaker
Ilana Berman-Frank Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa

Author
Ilana Berman-Frank Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027