Molecular Microbial Ecology
Microorganisms are master chemists, which through billions of years of evolution have driven biogeochemical processes and the recycling of key nutrients essential for all life. A key feature of microbial metabolism is production of bioactive specialized metabolites (SMs); a group of compounds representing a vast structural diversity, likely facilitating an array of different functions in relation to interactions among microorganisms in the environment, including antimicrobial compounds.
A key area of research is the discovery of new antibiotics produced by environmental microbes. To succeed in this, we operate at the forefront of science using high-throughput sequencing technologies for full-genome sequencing, genome-resolved metagenomics, single cell genomics, and amplicon sequencing. Furthermore, we utilize state-of-the-art visualization and labelling techniques to analyze natural microbial communities and their potential to produce novel antibiotics.
A key area of research is the discovery of new antibiotics produced by environmental microbes. To succeed in this, we operate at the forefront of science using high-throughput sequencing technologies for full-genome sequencing, genome-resolved metagenomics, single cell genomics, and amplicon sequencing. Furthermore, we utilize state-of-the-art visualization and labelling techniques to analyze natural microbial communities and their potential to produce novel antibiotics.
Vision: How do microbes behave and interact in their environment, and how can we investigate and utilize this behavior by analyzing the molecules they comprise and produce?
Enhancing Microbiomes
In addition to harnessing the biosynthesis potential of microorganism in the pursuit for novel antibiotics, we also aim at understanding the role of specialized metabolites and their producers in the shaping of microbiome composition and function. With this information, we can engineer and enhance microbiomes in a predictable and controllable manner e.g. in order to reduce the need for antibiotics in aquaculture.