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Julia Kurth
The Microbial Physiology Lab at the Microcosm Earth Center combines microbial physiology, molecular biology and protein biochemistry to study the role of Archaea in biogeochemical cycles. Our focus are anaerobic methanogenic Archaea that degrade methoxylated-compound, which are essential part of the lignin polymer in wood. In the M4C initiative, we are particularly interested in the enzymes and pathways that are involved in the formation of methane from the anaerobic degradation of wood.
Research Focus:
Microbes as Drivers; Microbes as Responders
Key Publication(s):
Kurth JM, *Nobu MK, Tamaki H, de Jonge N, Berger S, Jetten MSM, Yamamoto K, Mayumi D, Sakata S, Bai L, Cheng L, Nielsen JL, Kamagata Y, Wagner T, *Welte CU. Methanogenic archaea use a bacteria-like methyltransferase system to demethoxylate aromatic compounds. ISME Journal 2021 15:3549-3565. doi: 10.1038/s41396-021-01025-6
