The 8th International Symposium on Microbial Growth on C₁ Compounds was held at the Bahia Resort Hotel, San Diego, CA, 27 August-1 September, 1995. A total of 160 participants from 18 countries were registered. Eight Scientific Sessions were held in which 45 papers were presented, and 114 posters were displayed and discussed in 3 separate poster sessions.
The Symposium covered a broad range of topics, including acetogenesis, methanogenesis, CO₂ fixation, lithoautotrophy, carboxidotrophy, methylotrophy and methanotrophy. The theme of the Symposium was mechanistic,...

Autotrophic and methylotrophic microorganisms are able to grow at the expense of one-carbon compounds (e.g. carbon dioxide, formaldehyde) as the principal carbon sources for the synthesis of cell material, using light, inorganic compounds or one-carbon compounds as energy sources. The study of the special adaptations required in aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms to sustain an autotrophic or methylotrophic mode of life is a fascinating field of research for scientists from various disciplines. Current research efforts not only focus on fundamental aspects, i.e. metabolic pathways and their...