ARCH-METH · Archaeal keystone species in host microbiomes: Understanding and controlling Methanobrevibacter for Environmental and Health Benefits

Archaea, the most ancient domain of life, play a crucial yet largely underappreciated role in human microbiomes and Earth's nutrient cycles. Among them, Methanobrevibacter species are particularly important for methane production in ruminants, accounting for up to 6% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and are prevalent in animal and plant microbiomes. In recent years, I have become intrigued by the impact of Methanobrevibacter on human physiology. Our research has shown that two distinct Methanobrevibacter species influence the availability of essential vitamins and metabolites by shaping the entire gut microbiome. Despite their recognized importance for health, our mechanistic understanding of archaeal dynamics and communication within the human microbial ecosystem remains limited due to technical challenges and a historical research bias. Methanobrevibacter never acts alone but relies on complex syntrophic, mutual interactions with bacteria. In these inter-domain networks, Methanobrevibacter functions as central hub. This creates an exciting possibility to strategically manipulate human microbiomes through a unique focus on the archaeal component. Given their distinct biological features, a major challenge is developing a robust methodological toolkit and engineering synthetic archaeal-bacterial consortia with therapeutic potentials. Through an integrative approach combining computational, experimental, and in vivo studies, I aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing Methanobrevibacter networks, with the overall goal of elevating Methanobrevibacter to a central position in microbiome research. The gained knowledge will deepen scientific understanding of archaea and yield valuable applications in host-associated microbiomes. With extensive, globally unique expertise, a robust scientific network, and a validated methodological basis, I am poised to lead pioneering archaeome research with global implications for both environmental and human health.