Microbial Ecotechnology and Systems Assembly
Our vision is to develop predictive, resilient, and application-ready microbial systems by recreating and controlling key aspects of environmental complexity in the laboratory. By simulating natural conditions in a controlled and reproducible manner, we enable precise testing, selection, and engineering of microbial communities - ultimately improving their stability and performance in real-world applications.
At MESA, we investigate how environmental structure, chemical signaling, and microbial heterogeneity shape the behavior and function of microbial communities. To achieve this, we design and apply synthetic microenvironments to study microbe–microbe and microbe–environment interactions at high spatial and temporal resolution. Using tools from microfluidics, quantitative biology, and ecological modeling, we investigate how physical and chemical cues drive phenotypic variation, community assembly, and functional dynamics.
Our work supports the selection and engineering of robust microbial systems for applications such as bioinoculant development in agriculture, carbon-sequestering microalgae for climate solutions, and optimized microbial consortia for aquaculture and marine production systems. Where relevant, our platforms and approaches can also be extended to other living systems, including organoid-based models
At MESA, we investigate how environmental structure, chemical signaling, and microbial heterogeneity shape the behavior and function of microbial communities. To achieve this, we design and apply synthetic microenvironments to study microbe–microbe and microbe–environment interactions at high spatial and temporal resolution. Using tools from microfluidics, quantitative biology, and ecological modeling, we investigate how physical and chemical cues drive phenotypic variation, community assembly, and functional dynamics.
Our work supports the selection and engineering of robust microbial systems for applications such as bioinoculant development in agriculture, carbon-sequestering microalgae for climate solutions, and optimized microbial consortia for aquaculture and marine production systems. Where relevant, our platforms and approaches can also be extended to other living systems, including organoid-based models
Vision: To develop predictive, resilient, and application-ready microbial systems by recreating and controlling key aspects of environmental complexity in the laboratory.
