Microbiology

Department

The mission of the Microbiology department (part of Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences) is to conduct research at the forefront of microbial ecology and physiology with the main aim of understanding the diversity, ecology, and physiology of microorganisms responsible for the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and carbon (methane).

Highlights

Biotech booster project members

Biotech Booster grants for two proof-of-principle projects on biotechnology

The Biotech Booster program has awarded two teams of the Faculty of Science with funding for proof-of-principle projects on green and white biotechnology.

Portrait Cornelia Welte

Cornelia Welte appointed Professor of Microbial Physiology

As of September 1, 2024, Cornelia Welte has been appointed Professor Microbial Physiology in the Faculty of Sciences at uu77.

Visualisation of argonaute

Study reveals unified origin of life’s antiviral defenses

Dr. Pedro Leão, a new researcher at RIBES, combined protein lineage research with AI-powered protein structure prediction, showing that some proteins involved in our immune system evolved from an ancient common ancestor.

Research

The Microbiology department conducts research on microorganisms in freshwater and marine systems, studying their physiology, interactions, survival strategies and involvement in nitrogen and methane cycles.

In close collaboration with stakeholders and industrial partners, the department collaborates on the development of microbial applications in sustainable drinking water production and wastewater treatment systems in order to remove nitrogen, methane and micropollutants (CECs).

There is a focus on the following research themes: 1. Nitrogen Cycle Microbiology, 2. Carbon/Methane Cycle Microbiology, 3. Host-Microbe Interactions, and 4. Bioremediation. 

The department collaborates on these themes with expertise in microbial metabolomics, microbial cell biology and biochemistry, environmental microbiology, microbial biotechnology, microbial physiology, microbial bioinformatics, geomicrobiology and biogeochemistry.

Internships

Would you like to do your internship at the Microbiology department? Please get in touch for more information. A few examples of relevant subjects are:

  • Microbial Removal of Organic Micropollutants Under Wastewater Treatment Conditions
  • Multi-Omic Characterisation of Nitrospira Moscoviensis
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Mechanism of Hydrazine Synthase in the Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidizer Kuenenia Stuttgartiensis
  • Novel Methane- and Ammonia-Oxidizing Microorganisms from Acidic Environments
  • Biochemistry and Physiology of a Metabolite Produced by Stressed Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
  • Effect of Seawater Intrusion and Increased Salinization on Methane Emission

The research department offers various Bachelor's and Master's courses. The department is closely involved in the Bachelor's Biology and the Master's specialisation Microbiology. Coordinator of the education programmes is Cornelia Welte.

Projects

Afbeelding labmateriaal

AMOXENSE: Ammonia Biosensing in Wastewater Treatment using Bacteria

This project will develop an ammonium biosensor that can uniquely operate in the low oxygen and anoxic conditions found in wastewater treatment plants. This biotechnology will contribute to optimizing ammonium removal during wastewater treatment.

Zandfiltratie

Sand Filtration

Towards a mechanistic understanding of the microbiological and geochemical dynamics of sand filtration.

The prokaryotic origin of our Immune System

The prokaryotic origin of our Immune System

Recently, there has been a growing discussion about a potential bacterial origin of innate immune mechanisms. Undoubtedly, bacterial defense systems (DS) play a significant role in it, but what about archaea?

Academic staff

Below are the professors, associate professors and assistant professors of Microbiology. Chair of the department is Prof. Laura van Niftrik.

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Contact information

Visiting address
Heyendaalseweg 135
6525AJ Nijmegen
024-3652940
Contact person
L.A. Burgers (Lidwien)