Complete genome sequence of the methanogenic neotype strain Methanobacterium formicicum MF(T.).

The neotype strain Methanobacterium formicicum MF(T) (DSM1535), a hydrogenotrophic methanogenic Archaeon, was isolated from a domestic sewage sludge digestor in Urbana (IL, USA). Here, the complete genome sequence of the methanogen is reported. The genome is 2,478,074bp in size, featuring a GC content of 41.23%. M. formicicum MF(T) encodes several genes predicted to be involved in adaptation to abiotic stress such as high osmolarity. The strain MF(T) is of biotechnological importance since M. formicicum strains are often found in production-scale biogas plants and it is suggested as a starter culture for the anaerobic biomethanation process.