Molecular Microbiology

Bloom of anoxygenic phototrophs
Trunk River lagoon is the only ecosystem known to date in which anoxygenic phototrophic Chlorobiales thrive at the water surface in the presence of substantial dissolved oxygen concentrations. The photo shows Molly Moynihan inmidst the bloom during a sampling campaign. The yellow-green color of the microbes is due to the presence of sulfur and bacteriochlorophylls, pigments that the cells use to harvest light.
© Katy Crowle

In the "Molecular Environmental Microbiology" research group, we investigate our planet´s hidden habitats and ecosystems. We focus on microorganisms that live in extreme environments and study the important role these play in Earth´s element cycles. Our research centres on the carbon and oxygen cycles, both of which are significantly influenced by microbes and their metabolic activity.

Our work takes us to some of the most extraordinary ecosystems on Earth. Among others we study methane seeps and hydrothermal sediments in the deep sea, ancient aquifers beneath the Canadian prairies, and fracture fluids in one of South Africa’s deepest gold mines. Our goal is to elucidate the interactions between microbial communities and the natural world to better understand ecosystem health, functions and resilience