"Unprecedented Discovery: Seafloor Bacterial Proteins Illuminate Climate and Astrobiology"
Researchers at Georgia Tech have discovered a new class of bacterial proteins that play a crucial role in the formation and stability of methane clathrates, ice cages that trap greenhouse gases under the seafloor. These proteins, which are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and scalable, suppress the growth of methane clathrates as effectively as commercial chemicals used in drilling. The findings have implications for climate change, as methane clathrates are under scrutiny due to their impact on the environment. The research, funded by NASA, also informs the search for life in the solar system and could enhance the safety of transporting natural gas.