text: Melainabacteria is a phylum related to Cyanobacteria. Organisms belonging to this phylum have been found in the human gut and various aquatic habitats such as groundwater. By analyzing genomes of Melainabacteria, predictions are possible about the cell structure and metabolic abilities. The bacterial cell is similar to cyanobacteria in being surrounded by two membranes. It differs from cyanobacteria in its ability to move by flagella (like gram-negative flagella), though some members (e.g. Gastranaerophilales) lack flagella. Melainabacteria are not able to perform photosynthesis, but obtain energy by fermentation.