Use of IgY to reduce methane emission from rumen archaea

Project Information

IGYMERA

Grant agreement ID: 101030604

DOI

10.3030/101030604

Project terminated on 31 January 2023

EC signature date 19 March 2021

Start date 1 November 2021

End date 31 October 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 172 932,48

EU contribution

€ 172 932,48

Coordinated by

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IGYMERA (Use of IgY to reduce methane emission from rumen archaea)

Reporting period: 2021-11-01 to 2023-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Enteric methane (CH4) is formed in the ruminant fore-stomach (rumen) by methanogens (archaea) and is the largest source of anthropogenic CH41. Various strategies to inhibit methanogen activities in the rumen have failed or had limited success, due to low efficacy, poor selectivity, resistance from the archaea, or toxicity of the compounds in the host species. IGYMERA is a novel and interdisciplinary project that aims to reduce methane emissions from the rumen based on: archaea genomes, key enzymes in methane production, IgY action against rumen archaea, and success in early programming of the rumen microbiome. By providing a platform for integrating the skillsets of the researcher (A. Morales, ER) and host supervisor (J. M. de la Lastra, HS), IGYMERA will approach this key problem in a highly innovative, timely and interdisciplinary manner. Reducing methane production in ruminants will be a great innovation and contribution within the EU’s political and environmental objectives, and worldwide.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The objective one "To identify common membrane proteins of the main archaea in the rumen and design effective antigenic peptides using advanced proteomic tools" has been partially done, and in the next months will be complete achieve. Taking a view activity by activity:
A.1.1. Acquisition of Archaea strains (Achieved); the four archaea (Methanobrevibacter ruminantium (ATCC 35063), Methanosphaera stadtmanae (ATCC 43021), Methanobacterium bryantii (ATCC33272), and Methanomicrobium mobile (ATCC 35094)) have been obtained, lyophilized, aliquoted and store in -20°C.
A.1.2. The proteome is obtained and analyzed (we are in the process of processing the data and finalizing the analyzes). It is noteworthy, that there is a lot of training activity behind this activity regarding sample processing, protein processing, and the HPLC-MS machine use and its maintenance.
A.1.3. and A.1.4. the possible protein or peptide candidates will be selected for vaccine development (partially achieved, we have identified and purchased three peptide candidates), a manuscript about them is being prepared to send to a scientific journal.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

When the objective one will complete the four archaea proteome will be available for the scientific community and the general public

We presented an abstract entitle “Evaluation of antigenicity of key protein in methanogenesis and design of antigens for anti-methane antibody production” in the 13th international conference on goats celebrated online between 19-22 of September 2022. As result of this oral communication, we have been invited to submit a manuscript to the official journal of the conference “Small ruminant Research” with a deadline on 31 of may 2023. In the same way, we presented also a poster contribution in the International Scientific Meeting on colostrum in November 2022 entitled “Egg yolk, the colostrum of birds; buffers that can be used for easy purification of IgY”, as results related with IGYMERA. At the same time, we can get some contact with researcher interested in the IGY use, and one company (EW Nutrition) that working with the IGY technology and could be a potential partner in the future.

It should be emphasized that the MSC grant was terminated due to consolidation as an associate professor of the researcher. This fellowship is directly responsible for the researcher prevailing over 3 other candidates in this competitive position. Thus, the improvement of relevant skills such as independent thinking, leadership, scientific competitiveness and research management developed during this project is evident.
In terms of technical training, the researcher has improved numerous skills and knowledge in the following areas: Bioinformatics (gene analysis; protein and peptide prediction and in silico analysis; peptide design for immunological or technological purposes), Proteomics (protein extraction from different matrices, protein digestion for MS analysis, use and maintenance of HPLC/MS equipment, selection of HPLC columns based on the research objective), IgY (purification, biotechnological use, assays for detection, functional and purity analysis)

Graphical abstract of IGYMERA