https://phys.org/news/2025-04-microbiologists-species-methane-archaea-human.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology [INS::INS] * * share this! * 143 * Tweet * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Biology 3. Cell & Microbiology * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- April 17, 2025 The GIST Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked proofread Microbiologists discover new species of methane-producing archaea in the human gut by Medical University of Graz New species discovered in human gut Scanning electron micrograph of Methanobrevibacter smithii DSM 861 (=PS^T), Methanobrevibacter smithii DSM 2375 (=ALI), Methanobrevibacter smithii GRAZ-2 and WWM1085. Credit: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006751 An international team of microbiologists from the Medical University of Graz, the DSMZ--German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (Braunschweig, Germany)--and the University of Illinois (U.S.) has identified and described a previously unknown species of methane-producing archaea in the human gut: Methanobrevibacter intestini sp. nov. (strain WWM1085). In addition, a new variant of the species Methanobrevibacter smithii, which is referred to as GRAZ-2, was isolated. The scientists have thus taken another important step toward understanding the interaction between humans and the microbiome. The study is published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. Unknown original inhabitants of the gut: What is special about archaea Archaea are a distinct domain of life--along with bacteria and eukaryotes (i.e., organisms with a cell nucleus such as animals, plants and fungi). Although they appear similar to bacteria under the microscope, they differ in many basic aspects: for example, in their cell membrane, metabolic pathways and genetic characteristics. Archaea were originally discovered above all in extreme environments such as hot springs or salt lakes, but they are also found in the human body, especially in the gut. Methane-producing archaea, so-called methanogens, are a particularly exciting research area: They produce methane from simple substrates such as hydrogen and CO2 and thus significantly contribute to microbial metabolic processes--in ruminants, for example, but also in the human gut. Their research is still in its infancy because they are extremely sensitive to oxygen and difficult to cultivate. New species discovered in human gut Christine Moissl-Eichinger and Viktoria Weinberger. Credit: Medical University of Graz [INS::INS] Discovery sheds light on the forgotten world of the gut microbiome "Our discovery is a further piece in the puzzle towards understanding how the human microbiome functions," explains Christine Moissl-Eichinger, Professor of Interactive Microbiome Research at Med Uni Graz. While microbiome research focuses on bacteria, archaea have eked out a shadowy existence--in spite of their potentially great influence on key metabolic processes in the human body. "Archaea have long been overlooked," says Moissl-Eichinger. "They may play a significant role in gut function, microbial gas metabolism and possibly even the development or progression of certain diseases." Through a combination of the latest methods--including specific anaerobic cultivation, high-resolution electron microscopy and comprehensive DNA sequencing--the Graz research team was able to isolate two special representatives of this group of microorganisms from the human gut: The new species Methanobrevibacter intestini WWM1085 clearly differs genetically and physiologically from all previously known species. It thrives exclusively under strictly anaerobic conditions and produces methane and surprisingly large amounts of succinic acid, a metabolic product that is associated with inflammatory processes in the human body. The second strain that was discovered, a variant of Methanobrevibacter smithii referred to as GRAZ-2, exhibits unusual features: It produces formic acid, a molecule that may interfere with the metabolism of other gut inhabitants. Both discoveries clearly indicate that the world of the archaea in the human gut is more complex and more relevant than previously assumed--and has enormous potential for further research on health and disease. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter--daily or weekly. [ ] Subscribe The archaeome in focus: New avenues for microbiome medicine The current study significantly contributes to a better understanding of the so-called "archaeome"--the totality of archaea that shape the human microbiome. This rarely explored area of the gut flora could provide important indications of previously overlooked connections between microbes and health. It appears that only through the specific isolation and cultivation of such microorganisms can their characteristics and potential active mechanisms be investigated in detail. "We can only conduct specific mechanistic investigations with cultivated strains," stresses Viktoria Weinberger, the first author of the study. "This is essential in order to better understand the role of individual microorganisms in health and disease--and in the long term to develop therapeutic approaches as well." The discovery of Methanobrevibacter intestini and GRAZ-2 opens up a new chapter in archaea research as well as new perspectives for personalized microbiome medicine in the future. More information: Viktoria Weinberger et al, Expanding the cultivable human archaeome: Methanobrevibacter intestini sp. nov. and strain Methanobrevibacter smithii 'GRAZ-2' from human faeces, International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006751 Provided by Medical University of Graz Citation: Microbiologists discover new species of methane-producing archaea in the human gut (2025, April 17) retrieved 2 May 2025 from https://phys.org/news/ 2025-04-microbiologists-species-methane-archaea-human.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. 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M. intestini produces methane and high levels of succinic acid, while GRAZ-2 generates formic acid. These findings highlight the complexity and significance of gut archaea for human health. This summary was automatically generated using LLM. Full disclaimer Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (optional, only if you'd like a response) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. 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