Marine Bacteria Discovery: New Gene Clusters Boost Hydrogen Production for Clean Energy

A recent genomic study has revealed novel gene clusters in hydrogen-producing marine bacteria, *Vibrionaceae*, offering potential breakthroughs in clean energy production. Researchers from Hokkaido University, the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro discovered that certain *Vibrionaceae* species can generate significant amounts of hydrogen gas by breaking down formate through fermentation. Their findings were published in the journal *Current Microbiology* on March 25, 2025. The study, which sequenced all 16 known *Vibrionaceae* species, identified two new types of formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) gene clusters, bringing the total to six. *Vibrio tritonius*, a marine species, and *Vibrio porteresiae*, found in mangrove-dwelling wild rice, exhibited the highest hydrogen production levels, linked to their efficient formate absorption. The team suggests the diversity in FHL gene cluster structures results from speciation as the bacteria adapted to different ecological niches. These findings enhance our understanding of microbial evolution and offer new avenues for harnessing bacterial hydrogen production for sustainable energy applications.