Microbial Fitness

The Microbial Fitness Group addresses the molecular basis of the ecological fitness of bacteria. We aim to understand how the environment selects for specific microbial processes, organisms and genes. We approach this problem from a System Sciences perspective and proceed from first principles: Chemistry and Thermodynamics.

The experimental approach consists of the sampling of natural microbial communities, the incubation of these communities in laboratory bioreactors and the monitoring of community dynamics by -omics and in situ approaches. This is a unique combination, that enables both complete control over environmental conditions and a comprehensive characterization of the resulting microbial communities. Results are interpreted in the context of a mathematical model of communal metabolism. The microbial nitrogen cycle is currently the main focus. This research is a joint effort of the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and the Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), University of Bielefeld. The Microbial Fitness Group was established in December 2008.

The group is supported by a ERC starting grant (1.7 MEuro) to Marc Strous

Head of the group