Project description
A reduction in gassy burps relieves pressure on global climate
Cattle, sheep, goats and other so-called ruminants have four-compartment stomachs including the rumen. Here, their plant-based foods are first fermented by large communities of microorganisms prior to digestion. The fermentation process produces methane and CO2, a growing problem given the increasing demand for meat by a burgeoning population and its impact on climate. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the IGYMERA project is developing novel strategies to reduce methane production by ruminants. Polyclonal antibodies will either target membrane components in the methane production pathway or the reduction of methane-producing microbe populations.
Objective
The IGYMERA proposal is aimed at exploring novel strategies to reduce methane production in ruminants. Our innovative proposal differs from other past strategies. Instead of using whole archaea for the development of antibodies, we will raise low-cost, specific and non-toxic IgY polyclonal antibodies against the key membrane targets responsible for methane production, or for their ability to produce a significant reduction in methanogenic microorganism populations in the rumen. To identify such targets, we plan to use state-of-the-art proteomic tools and molecular cloning techniques for the production of recombinant proteins to be used for hen immunization. We also plan to test an early intervention approach in the rumen of small ruminants (goats), to enhance the reduction in their microbial methanogen population during adult life.
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Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
28006 Madrid
Spain