Research Focus

Archaea Ecology and Evolution

We are interested in the natural diversity and ecological distribution of archaea as well as in their viruses and virus defense systems.

Our major projects include:

• ecophysiological and functional genomic studies of ammonia oxidizing archaea from soils, marine sediments and hot springs to reveal their role in nitrification
• the search for biological nitrification inhibitors for improved agricultural practices
• the study of Asgard archaea, in particular Ca. Lokiarchaeum ossiferum, its cell biology and physiology
• virus defense and CRISPR-mediated RNA degradation in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus

Former projects

Here is a list of former projects