Modern microbiology tackles health challenges from various perspectives. Global emergence of antimicrobial (antibiotic) resistance is addressed in the AMR Centre of Excellence research through the One Health lens, encompassing humans, animals and their shared environment.
Research on human microbiomes integrates modern computational methods with next-generation sequencing and population level metadata. Computational biology, machine learning and bioinformatics help us to understand microbial community dynamics in human gut and other microbiomes, and their implications for human health and wellbeing.
The contribution of microbes on neurodegenerative diseases, and research on replication of RNA viruses, aim to understand infections and pathogenesis at the molecular level, which may lead to development of new strategies to combat pathogens.
Environmental microbiology focuses on microbial communities and their functions across different ecosystems, ranging from atmosphere to soil and aquatic environments. The research spans both ecological and evolutionary aspects and aims to address how microbiomes work and change in space and time. Specifically, understanding how microbiomes affect their host organisms’ fitness and survival is important for understanding disease dynamics in both agricultural and medical contexts.
Research on microbial life in extreme conditions and in human-impacted environments aim to link microbial interactions and production of bioactive molecules. For example, research on bacterial and fungal interactions explores the role of metabolites in microbial ecology in these systems, with specific attention on underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms that could be harnessed for production of bioactive molecules.
Atmospheric transmission of viruses and other bioaerosols represents an emerging research area. Research focus is on aerosolization mechanisms, dispersion pathways and ice nucleation abilities of viruses and other microbes, with specific attention on understanding how climate change might affect microbial transmission, viability and biodiversity.
Fungal research contributes significantly to sustainable biotechnology ranging from production of enzymes and natural compounds to valorization of biomasses and biomaterials. Modern genomics and multi-omics approaches are employed to explore fungal plant biomass-modifying enzymes attacking lignocellulose and lignin, while research on eco-physiology aims to understand microbial metabolic pathways underlying conversion of biomass and waste materials to value-added products. Together with fungi, certain bacteria are explored as biocontrol agents and sources for novel bioactive compounds.
HAMBI mBRC is a resource of living microorganisms for teaching, research and applications. The center consists of microorganisms from different groups e.g. archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, filamentous fungi, phages and yeasts. A great deal of the cultures originates from the unique nature of Finland. HAMBI’s main services are deposition and delivery of microbial strains.
Our teaching is based on research, and our researchers also provide instruction in master’s programmes, as well as the doctoral programmes organised by the doctoral schools.
Director Per Saris and Deputy Director Ville Friman