Swimming toward the hydrogen: Methanococcus maripaludis

Based on the knowledge of free microbe movement in response to external stimuli, the idea of biological cells moving toward hydrogen gas has been thought before; however is still need to be demonstrated in the lab. In this study, Methanococcus maripaludis was used to measure the swimming velocity toward the source of hydrogen gas. The results suggested that methanogen reacts to hydrogen concentration. These events represent a new approach for microbes to get hydrogen gas which at the same time may influence the nitrogen, carbon and sulfide cycles.

Original Article: Brileya K. A, Connolly J.M, Downey C, Gerlanch R, Fields M.W. (2013) Taxis Toward Hydrogen Gas by Methanococcus maripaludis .Nature. 3140