Researchers discover method governing the conversion of greenhouse gases into fuel

A team of Northwestern researchers has discovered elements of methanotrophic bacteria that are critical in the chemical reaction that converts greenhouse gases into fuel. The research primarily centered around creating groundbreaking technology that is able to convert methane gas into methanol.

The subsequent report, led by the Weinberg Family Distinguished Professor of Life Sciences Amy Rosenzweig, was published in the journal Science on Friday, March 18.

“Methane has a very strong bond, so it’s pretty remarkable there’s an enzyme that can do this,” said Rosenzweig. “If we don’t understand exactly how the enzyme performs this difficult chemistry, we’re not going to be able to engineer and optimize it for biotechnological applications.”

With the new discovery, scientists are able to clearly view the atomic structure of the enzyme and plan to examine it using a technique called cryo-electron tomography. By doing so, they will be able to observe how the enzyme is organized, identify how it functions in its natural environment, and find if other proteins interact with it. These findings could potentially solve major problems for engineers.

Read more in Northwestern Now’s article, “Methane-eating bacteria convert greenhouse gas to fuel.”