Microbiology

Molecular Ecology

Microbes matter: “Understanding the behaviour of complex microbial communities in their natural environments is key to improving human, animal and environmental health, and therefore quality of life. This is what drives me: microbes matter – seemingly simple bugs that sparkle in their complexity.”

Research and education within the Microbial Ecology Group aims t understand and explore the functioning of microorganisms in natural and man-made ecosystems, including interdependencies with their living and non-living environments. Key research issues include:

  1. Microbiota associated with body surfaces (gut, skin, mouth) in humans, livestock, rodent-animal models, companion animals and wildlife
  2. Microbial communities in environmental biotechnology
  3. Microbes and their cellular biomarkers as proxies for ecosystem life history and environmental change, embracing a OneHealth perspective

Activities focus on innovative cultivation-based and molecular approaches aimed at understanding microbial composition and functionality at the system level, including the application of next-generation sequencing.