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Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Methane-eating bacteria isolated from tropical wetlands in western Maharashtra by scientists
PUNE: In what marks the first time such extensive cultivation of Methanotrophs has been achieved in India's tropical ecosystem, a team of scientists from the Agharkar Research Institute comprising Kajal Pardhi, Rahul Bahulikar, and Monali Rahalkar has successfully isolated and characterised a wide variety of methane-eating bacteria also known as Methanotrophs from the tropical wetlands across western Maharashtra. These microorganisms serve as Nature's methane scrubbers, consuming the potent greenhouse gas before it escapes into the atmosphere. Methane-eating bacteria isolated from tropical wetlands in western Maharashtra by scientists Samples were collected from various wetlands including freshwater ponds, lake sediments, stone quarries, and mangroves. Through an advanced serial dilution and long-term incubation technique, researchers managed to isolate 20 Methanotroph monocultures (90% purity), eight of which were fully purified to 100%. Using gene markers such as pmoA, a gene directly involved in methane oxidation, and 16S rRNA for further confirmation, the researchers identified seven different methanotroph genera: Methylomonas, Methylocystis, Methylosinus, Methylocaldum, Methylocucumis, Methylomagnum and Methylolobus. Pardhi, lead scientist of the study, said, 'It is very difficult to isolate and cultivate Methanotrophs because they usually come along with many other bacteria, and pure cultivation takes years. In our research, which took nearly two to three years, we successfully isolated and cultivated around 28 Methanotrophs, including two newly-discovered genera Methylocucumis and Methylolobus. These have not been reported anywhere in the world yet. The important thing is that these are cultivable strains, which means we can now grow them in the lab with minimal contamination and apply them to real-world scenarios like methane mitigation in rice fields and wetlands. Methanotrophs not only help reduce methane, a major greenhouse gas, but also promote plant growth. Our approach makes it possible to use these native strains in agriculture and environmental management to address climate change from the ground up.' Two genera stood out in prevalence namely type I Methylomonas and type II Methylocystis, underscoring their key role in methane cycling in tropical wetlands. Interestingly, habitat-specific patterns emerged from the study. Freshwater ponds showed the highest Methanotroph densities up to 10¹² cells per gram of soil while mangrove samples had significantly lower concentrations. Additionally, heat-tolerant strains like Methylocaldum were found mainly in mangrove ecosystems, whereas freshwater zones hosted only mesophilic strains. A particularly striking achievement was the successful isolation of rare and understudied Methanotroph genera. Strains of Methylocucumis, a genus previously uncultured anywhere else in the world, and Methylolobus were cultivated for the first time. One standout strain, Methylolobus aquaticus PLW4, is only the second known isolate of its kind globally. The team also identified Methylomagnum, previously associated only with rice paddies, in a wetland sample widening the known ecological range of the genus. Pardhi said, 'Methanotrophs act as Nature's methane filters. In our latest research, we have cultivated seven different genera of Methanotrophs from the Pune wetlands, making this the first report of its kind from Indian wetlands. Until now, no biodiversity studies or cultivation work had been carried out on Methanotrophs. These organisms play a critical role in mitigating methane, a potent greenhouse gas, by oxidising it naturally in wetland sediments. Our lab is the first in India to successfully culture these bacteria using advanced techniques developed over the last decade. Our focus was on reporting their biodiversity, especially in regions like the western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot.' Rahalkar said, 'If Methanotrophs did not exist, atmospheric methane levels would have been far higher, possibly making the planet uninhabitable. These microbes are Nature's unseen warriors against climate change.' Beyond their role in mitigating methane emissions, these cultivated Methanotrophs open new avenues for biotechnology. Scientists see potential in transforming methane into valuable products like carotenoids (used in food and pharma), biodegradable plastics like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and high-protein single-cell biomass for animal feed. This landmark research places India on the global map for methane bioremediation innovation and could serve as a foundation for sustainable climate solutions rooted in microbial ecology.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
National Technology Day: When a modest laboratory at Agharkar Research Institute in Pune nurtured diverse startups
At a time when most Indian researchers aimed for postdoctoral positions abroad, Dr Kishore Paknikar, a distinguished scientist and former director of the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, would nudge his students— sometimes gently, sometimes firmly — towards entrepreneurship. He believed that if their science could address real-world problems, they were also capable of translating it into products, processes, and enterprises that could serve society directly. That belief led to an extraordinary outcome. From a single laboratory in a modest government-funded institute, seven start-ups have emerged over the years — each founded or co-founded by his former students. On the occasion of National Technology Day (May 11), these ventures, ranging across diagnostics, therapeutics, sustainable agriculture, bioinformatics, and clean technologies, stand as living proof of how a research lab can become a launchpad for enterprise. 'It wasn't glamorous back then. But the idea of building something meaningful, grounded in science, was always attractive,' Dr Paknikar, who is also a visiting professor at IIT Bombay, told The Indian Express. 'If you're solving a real problem, society needs that solution, not just another publication,' he added. Several startup founders also remember the absence of any formal incubator or venture capital ecosystem at the institute. Dr Sonali Mokashi, founder of Pune-based Cerulean Enviro Tech and a former PhD student who was guided by Dr Paknikar during her doctoral research at Agharkar Research Institute in the late 1990s, recalled her journey prior to setting up a startup. 'At that time arsenic, the deadly slow poison, had created havoc in nine districts of West Bengal. The urge was to find a solution applicable in the field for the removal of arsenic,' she remembered, and added that the systematic manner in which Dr Paknikar guided her helped set up an arsenic filter unit at ARI. Soon, the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government wanted three such plants to be set up in Chhattisgarh. Working with 'Water' became a subject of interest and she set up a water testing laboratory. Later, Mokashi received an Indian patent for inventing a process of wastewater recycling, and that was a trigger to set up her startup. 'It hasn't been an easy journey, but we are now recognized as a technically competent company. Our employees receive thorough training, and we are strongly committed to social responsibility,' Dr Mokashi stated. Startups often need access to experienced mentors for advice and support. Dr Paknikar told The Indian Express that he would encourage his students to participate in national innovation competitions like the India Innovation Pioneers Challenge while still pursuing their doctoral work. 'These contests served as a gateway, helping students convert their thesis ideas into viable business plans. Once they received mentorship and seed funding from government-supported programmes, their startup journeys took flight,' Dr Paknikar, who mentored over 40 PhD students, said. Dr Prabhakar Kulkarni was among the first PhD students to be guided by Dr Paknikar. 'As a student of Dr Paknikar, I came to truly appreciate the importance of technology entrepreneurship,' Dr Kulkarni, who is the director of NeoDx Biotech Labs, said. The Bengaluru-based startup develops innovative molecular diagnostic products, and over the years, NeoDx has extended its support and expertise to companies developing point-of-care diagnostic devices, RT-PCR kits for infectious diseases, and similar innovations. 'Innovation thrives when supported by society. Those who recognise and act on this can make a meaningful impact,' Dr Kulkarni remarked. All it takes is a visionary mentor, a group of curious minds, and courage to turn research into responsibility. Dr Paknikar's other students also went on to set up startups, including WeInnovate Biosolutions Pvt Ltd, Greenvention Biotech Pvt Ltd, Intignus Biotech Pvt Ltd, Novetrics Solutions Pvt Ltd, and Mrityunjay Herbals. India is home to the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with over 1,17,000 startups officially recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of early 2025. Of these, over 4,000 are in deep-tech sectors like biotechnology, clean energy, advanced materials, and artificial intelligence. The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) alone has supported over 1,600 biotech startups through its various schemes, with several having emerged from academic laboratories. Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
