Research Program
Microbial Ecology
Microbial ecology has undergone a profound change in the last 20 years with regard to methods for the analysis of microbial communities. Molecular techniques have provided alternative approaches to overcome the problems associated with culture-dependent analysis of complex microbial communities. Currently, different molecular techniques, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), DNA arrays, clone library analysis and 454 pyrosequencing are increasingly used to study the diversity and/or activity of microbial communities. Using these techniques the research group focuses on microbial community and ecosystem ecology of both natural and engineered ecosystems with an emphasis on the survival and spread of potential pathogens in the environment.
Examples of studied processes include food production and processing, bioethanol production and water treatment and distribution Both interactions of living organisms with one another and with the non-living elements of their environment are studied. Understanding these interactions is essential to comprehend the role of microorganisms in process performance and/or process problems and the exploitation of complex microbial communities.
Research and consulting - topics
- Evaluation of desinfection techniques for sustainable control of bacteria in biofilms in industrial process water
- Ecology of biofilms in water production and distribution systems
- Prospection for novel, thermophilic bacteria in the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass
- Study of the architecture of orchid mycorrhizal networks
- Characterization of microbial communities during malting
- Evolution and adaptation of Tetragenococcus strains in industrial environments
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