Research Theme
Climate-Active Gases
The DMSP cycle and the impacts of DMS, an important climate-cooling gas produced from DMSP cleavage.
We also study the microbes and enzymes driving the production of the potent greenhouse gas methane from DMSP and related compounds, and oxidation of carbon monoxide in diverse marine and terrestrial environments.
We apply molecular biology and ecology tools with detailed process measurement to identify the microorganisms producing and/or cycling these climate-cooling gases, the novel pathways, enzymes and mechanisms utilised, their environmental distribution and significance, and how the processes are affected by a changing climate. These include DMSP-dependent or independent pathways, such as Hâ‚‚S and MeSH-dependent DMS production.
The production and cycling of climate-active gases
Methanethiol (MeSH) and dimethylsulfide (DMS) are abundant sulfur gases with crucial roles in global sulfur and nutrient cycling, chemotaxis, and climate regulation.