Microbial Communities

Producing and studying synthetic microbial communities to be compared to natural communities.

Microorganisms play a key role in the degradation of plant material to gaseous compounds such as carbon dioxide or methane. Goals in this research area are to understand the interaction parameters of microorganisms in given communities and habitats and the significance of biodiversity in selected ecosystems. The researchers aim to produce synthetic microbial communities which subsequently shall be analyzed and compared to natural communities. Possible manipulation of microbial communities in order to control the release of methane into the atmosphere is one of the prospective visions.

Alfred Batschauer

Andreas Brune

Knut Drescher

Werner Liesack

Stefan Rensing

SYNMIKRO Young Researchers Groups

Almost all scientific members of SYNMIKRO are actively involved in DFG’s Collaborative Research Centers (Sonderforschungsbereiche), Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs), or other Cooperative Research projects. Alongside performing adventurous experiments, and reporting excellent science, SYNMIKRO substantially promotes potential Young Research Group Leaders by constantly keeping its doors open to welcome and support Young Researchers planning to set up an Independent Research Group.
Our Young Research Groups