Research groups that operate wholly or partly under the Department of Microbiology in alphabetical order.
Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environement - Part of the Multidisciplinary Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance Research
Group leader: Marko Virta
Antimicrobials, probiotics and fermented food
Group leader: Per Saris
Microbes produces antimicrobial substances to inhibit other microbes. Some microbes are health-promoting. Our research combines these capabilities to add functionalities to materials and foods.
Arctic Microbial Ecology
Group leader: Jenni Hultman
Cyanobacterial Research
Group leaders: David Fewer and Kaarina Sivonen
Cyanobacteria research focuses on ecology, diversity and bioactive compound production of cyanobacteria. Research is based on large culture collection, genomics and other omics techniques including biosynthesis and chemical analyses of the bioactive compounds.
Fungal Co-life, Omics and Ecophysiology
Group leader: Taina Lundell
Eco-physiology, genomics, transcriptomics and metabolism of wood-decaying forest fungi are our topics of research. By the aid of modern omics, we aim at opening fungal metabolism, interactions and gene expression upon wood-decay and waste lignocellulose bioconversions to biofuels and bioproducts.
Fungal Genetics and Biotechnology
Group leaders: Kristiina Hildén and Miia Mäkelä
The Fungal Genetics and Biotechnology group studies plant biomass modifying enzymes from asco- and basidiomycete fungi. The research focuses on various aspects of fungal molecular biology and enzymology.
Microbial Ecology and Evolution
Group leader: Ville-Petri Friman
Our group is interested in the eco-evolutionary dynamics of species interactions in multi-trophic communities. We are specifically focused on plant rhizosphere and human lung microbiomes and how interactions within these microbial communities affect the fitness and survival of associated host organisms. Elucidating these processes is especially important for understanding bacterial disease dynamics in agricultural and medical contexts and developing new ways to control infections.
Molecular Environmental Biosciences
Group leaders: Marko Virta and Jenni Hultman
Microbes have a major effect on the ecosystem and humans. Microbes run biogeochemical cycles of the elements, play a major role in the intestines of animals and biotechnology such as waste water treatment and food production, just to mention some. On the other hand, microbes cause diseases for...
Plant-Virus Interactions
Group leader: Kristiina Mäkinen
We are interested in molecular elucidation of the different stages of potyvirus infection and how the viral processes are localized and coordinated within the infected cells.
RNA virus replication and antivirals
Group leader: Tero Ahola
We aim towards deep understanding of RNA virus replication at the molecular level. Through the discovery of basic mechanistic principles, we develop new and general antiviral strategies.