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PRESENTATION
Microbial ecology is the study of microbes in the environment and their
interactions with other organisms. Recent developments of molecular tools
have revealed the complexity of microbial communities and the activity
of important groups of microorganisms in their natural habitats. Microbial
ecology is a relatively young discipline, taking an increasing importance
in national and international scientific projects. Indeed, microorganisms
play key roles in ecosystem functioning and some microbes show remarkable
capabilities and promises for biotechnological applications. Moreover
microbial pathogens pose severe threats to plant, animal and human health.
Increasing our knowledge in microbial ecology at the species, community
and ecosystem level constitutes one of the research priorities across
Europe in order to respond to future challenges in science and society,
such as climate change, newly emerging pathogens and biotechnology.
Please
find here the report
of the first meeting of Swiss Microbial Ecology" which took place
from 23-24 September 2004 in Neuchâtel. The text has been copied
from "Pipette" the official publication of SULM (Union Suisse
de Médecine de Laboatoire). Our society is a member of SULM.
The second
meeting of Swiss Microbial Ecology will be held in Bellinzona, Ticino
from September 28 to 29, 2006.
OBJECTIVES
- facilitate
contacts between the members of the Swiss community of Microbial Ecologists
and promote scientific exchange and collaborations
- review
and discuss recently developed tools and concepts in microbial ecology
- allow
young scientists to work in a stimulating scientific environment
RESEARCH
GROUPS (goto top)
Swiss microbial
ecologists are working on topical issues such as the response of eco-
and agrosystems to global changes, functioning of lake ecosystems, and
biological control of pathogens.
Note: the
following list ist not exhaustive.
•
Molecular Ecology (Agroscope FAL Reckenholz)
•
Department of Fundamental Microbiology
(Université de Lausanne)
Environmental
Microbiology
- bacterial
adaptation mechanisms
- application
of reporter genes in understanding bacterial activity in the environment
- microbial
ecology of wastewater treatment systems and bioremediation areas
- Pseudomonas
- Biological
control of soil-borne fungal diseases of crop plants by beneficial root-colonizing
bacteria: molecular mechanisms involved, signal exchange between the
pathogen, the bacterial antagonist, and the plant host, and relation
to the abiotic environment.
•
Environmental Microbiology (EAWAG)
•
ETH/WSL
We assess
changes in the soil microbial communites of forest soils caused by elevated
inputs of acids, nitrogen compounds and inorganic contaminants. In particular,
we use molecular markers to characterize the structure and function
of microbial communities in the soil.
•
Geomicrobiology Group (ETHZ)
In the
transition zone between geology and microbiology we are studying microbial
processes forming minerals and trace these in the geologic record. Main
focus is the formation of the carbonate mineral dolomite, which can
be considered as a "biomineral".
•
Institute of Environmental Sciences (Univ.
Zurich)
environmental
microbiology; environmental biotechnology; soil microbiology; aeromicrobiology;
microbial metal mobilization; microbial diversity in soil
•
Institute for Plant Biology (Univ. Zurich)
(goto top)
Characterization
of the endolithic bacterial community in dolomite rock with molecular,
optical and microscopical tools.
• Laboratory
of Environmental Microbiology (Istituto cantonale di microbiologia,
ICM, Bellinzona and Univ. of Geneva)
The Laboratory
of Environmental Microbiology of ICM joins environmental microbiology
and clinical microbiology takeing synergetic advantages of both areas.
The research activities deal with studies on microbial ecology and population
genetics of bacteria from the water environment. The ICM is in charge
of the management of the Center of alpine Biology (CBA, http://www.piora.org)
Piora, and hosts the Swiss
National Reference Center for Legionella
• LAMUN
(Univ. Neuchâtel)
Our research
is structured along three major axes: rhizosphere microbial ecology,
geomicrobiology and mycology.
We are studying the diversity and activity of soil, sediment and water
column microorganisms in natural communities and in pure cultures. We
are interested in the microbial responses to changes in environmental
factors such as global change, pollution, and plants. Our research focuses
on populations with specific functions such as iron and sulfur transformations,
aerobic biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes, biomineralization of
CaCO3, mycelial toxicity, resistance and accumulation of heavy metals.
• Aquatic
Microbioal Ecology (Dept. of Limology, (EAWAG)
We aim
at establishing quantitative linkages between metabolic microbial activity
and ecosystem processes, and how environmental factors and community
structure control them. Our main model systems are streams and wetlands
where we consider fungi, bacteria, viruses, and their interactions with
consumers. Litter decomposition and microbial productivity are the focal
processes.
• Microbial
Ecology Group (Univ. Zurich)
Our
research focuses on complex interactions diversity and adaptability of
microorganisms under cold and oligotrophic environmental conditions, on
the evolution of ecosystem flexibility and complexity and on the physiological
mechanisms in Se-nanoparticles producing microbes.
•
NESTLÉ SA (goto
top)
Nutritional
modulation of the human intestinal microbiota. We are studying the impact
of prebiotics and probiotics on the gut ecosystem and the host immune
defenses.
• SURF
(EAWAG)
Our research
focuses on the characterization of novel microbial processes and on
mechanisms of biomineralization in marine and freshwater environments.
We investigate the processes of anaerobic methane and ammonium oxidation
in the water column of limnic and marine systems. The mechanisms of
calcite precipitation by picoplankton (picocyanobacteria) are evaluated
at the cellular scale and microsensors are used to investigate oxidants
in relation to organic matter degradation in lake systems.sediment porewaters.
• Terrestrial
Ecology (ETHZ)
Our research
activities are divided into three general areas of interest, represented
by the
Subsurface Microbial Processes, Molecular Ecology and Biological Interactions
Divisions.
EDUCATION (goto
top)
University
of Zurich
Advanced
Course in Molecular Microbial Ecology
(pdf file
re to the 2004 course)
Univ. Zurich & Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen
Alpine Center Piora (Tessin, Switzerland)
(number of participants restricted)
MEETINGS
(goto
top)
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