Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science

Functional microbiome research is at the heart of this research area. The term microbiome describes particular communities of bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes and viruses associated with a specific environment. Research in this area includes different ecosystems such as soils, the open sea, coastal regions, sediments, fresh-and groundwater, extreme environments like deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and, last-but not least, the human body (e.g. gut microbiome). A special focus lies on symbioses and the evolution of mutualism and parasitism. An underlying topic in all those areas is how the actions of microbes influence these ecosystems, as well the health of humans and other organisms.

We explore the crucial role of environmental microbiomes for global biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial, aquatic and man-made ecosystems. Our research focuses on the structure and function of these microbiomes and the resulting flows of nutrient elements such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorous and sulphur (S). One focus is illuminating the complex biology of the N and S cycles, from the level of processes in different ecosystems, to the involved microbial communities and the ecophysiology of single microbial species. We aim to contribute to a holistic picture of these cycles, which is indispensable for predicting and mitigating environmental threats caused by human activities. Soils play a pivotal role in the functioning of the Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems and harbor an almost unconceivable diverse microbiome.