<p align="LEFT">Research funded by the PGgRc laid the groundwork for what is now a comprehensive understanding of rumen microbiology.</p>
<p align="LEFT">A key part of this was sequencing the first genome of a methanogen (the microbes that produce methane in the rumen).</p>
<p align="LEFT">Now, with a boost provided by joint funding from the NZAGRC, the genomes of 11 different methanogen species have been sequenced. The genomic approach has enabled researchers to develop ways of selectively targeting methanogens without affecting the wide variety of other microbes that are essential for the functioning of the rumen. This new knowledge has been fundamental to several subsequent strands of research funded by the PGgRc and NZAGRC, the GRA and SLMACC. These include the identification and testing of methane inhibitors that block the enzyme pathways of methanogens and the development of a vaccine against methanogens.</p>
<p align="LEFT"><img title="microbes.jpg" src="user/image/large/475/microbes.jpg" alt="microbes.jpg" data-href="" /></p>
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