H2Rumen

Reducing methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants is a major challenge for the livestock sector. An optimal CH4 mitigation strategy should also induce co-benefits such as enhanced animal productivity and health. CH4 is produced during the fermentation of feeds in the rumen. This process is carried out by a complex microbial community (rumen microbiota) and mediated by hydrogen (H2) in the rumen ecosystem. Our knowledge on the drivers that shape H2 flows is still incomplete. H2Rumen aims to generate fundamental knowledge on H2 flows in the rumen ecosystem and to translate this knowledge into predictive mathematical models of rumen fermentation. Our scientific outputs will be of high value for the optimal design of CH4 mitigation strategies with co-benefit for the animal. Our hypothesis is that thermodynamics and microbial interactions jointly control hydrogen transactions in the rumen ecosystem. H2Rumen addresses the following fundamental scientific question: Where does H2 go? We will answer this question with an integrative approach that combines in vitro experiments, in silico modelling and omics approaches. For that, H2Rumen brings together an interdisciplinary team with expertise on rumen fermentation, rumen microbiology and metabolic modelling. In addition to the impact on ruminant livestock, our methods might be applicable to other ecosystems such as the human gut, engineering bioreactors and fermented food ecosystems.