The department „Bacterial  Physiology“ is engaged in a variety of aspects of the biology of microorganisms . For this purpose we develop and apply metagenomic methodologies to study the physiology and interactions of microorganisms directly in their environment, without the need for cultivation.

Current research interests include:

• The role of gut microbiota in human and animal health and disease
• Microbes in permafrost soil and their role in global greenhouse gas emissions
• Metabolic and trophic interactions between soil microorganisms and their consequences for carbon and nitrogen cycling
• Methanogenic archaea: physiology and ecology of novel methanogens