Environmental microbiology

ikbm

Microorganisms can be found almost everywhere, even in the most hostile environments on Earth where no other organisms can live, and they represent an incredible biodiversity. They include bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses and unicellular algae. Microbial biodiversity is being explored for a range of biotechnological purposes such as the development of new pharmaceuticals and enzymes for use in various industrial processes.

Since microorganisms can degrade almost any type of organic compound, they can be used for bioremediation of polluted soil and water, for composting and for production of biogas. The use of microorganisms for biocontrol may reduce the need for pesticides, and the development of more efficient strains of symbiotic microorganisms such as nitrogen fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi is an interesting alternative to chemical fertilizers within agriculture and forestry.

The rapid development of new techniques is providing us with effective tools to investigate the functions of microorganisms in natural environments. Terrestrial and aquatic prokaryotes play key roles in biogeochemical cycles and are responsible for the emission of important greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane. An important task for microbial ecologists today is to better understand factors that affect these processes. Other challenges include a better knowledge concerning the spread and establishment of “new” pathogenic organisms, or of genetically modified microorganisms and their genes.

The Environmental Microbiology group (2007):
Arne Tronsmo, Professor Ph. D.
Rolf Arnt Olsen, Professor Ph. D.
Åsa Frostegård, Professor Ph. D.
Jon Fredrik Hansen, Researcher
Linda G. Hjeljord, Researcher Ph. D.
Binbin Liu, Post Doc.
Gunn Mari Strømeng, Ph. D. student (2004-2007)
Linda Bergaust , Ph. D. student (2005-2008)
Solomon Benor Belay, Ph. D. student
Hafisur Rahman, Ph. D. student
Grethe Kobro, lab engineer
Else Marie Åsen, lab engineer

Research group Environmental Microbiology Foto: M. Sanderud

Main research projects: (Name of contact persons in brackets).

A. Microbial diversity and processes
Microorganisms play key roles in the biogeochemical cycling of N and C compounds in the environment. Denitrification, methanogenesis and methane consumption are microbially mediated processes that have major impact on the emission of greenhouse gases and destruction of the ozon layer. We study factors that influence the activity of the organisms that perform these processes, and the diversity and regulation of the functional genes involved. Another field of interest is to explore the huge diversity of bacteria in different environments in search for organisms that can be used for plant growth promotion or for production of industrially interesting compounds.

Our current research falls into the following areas:

Gene regulation in denitrifying bacteria; control of greenhouse gas
emissions (Frostegård and Bergaust).

Methanogene communities, methane production and flux (Olsen).

Diversity and phylogeny of tree-nodulating rhizobia(Frostegård).

Bioprospecting of marine arctic microorganisms (Olsen).

Soil microbial communities – composition and spatial variation, activity, effect of disturbance (Frostegård).

B. Degradation of organic compounds

Degradation of hydraulic oils and lubricants by microorganisms (Olsen, Hanssen).

Aerobic and anaerobic composting of organic material (Hanssen).

Bioremediation (Cleaning of waste using microorganisms) (Frostegård, Hanssen).

Biofilm. Microbial activity in biofilms and how to reduce adverse effects of this phenomenon (Olsen, Hanssen).

Subsoil microbiology – functional and taxonomic diversity, degradation of organic pollutants (Frostegård).

Survival and impact of transgenic bacteria and their genes – lindane degradation as model system (Frostegård).

C. Biological and environmental control of plant pathogenic fungi and insect pests (Tronsmo, Hjeljord, Strømeng, Harbo).
The enormous microbial biodiversity of natural environments is dramatically reduced by monoculture agriculture, in which the crop becomes more vulnerable to disease and insect pests unless treated repeatedly with pesticides. Consumer concern about the negative effects of chemical pesticides has encouraged research into alternative methods of control, including cultural and biological methods. Our research is focused on the use of beneficial fungi to reduce plant disease and control insect pests, including the effects of environmental conditions on activity of beneficial and harmful fungi. Our current research areas include the following:

Detection and monitoring of strawberry flower and fruit infection by Botrytis cinerea for improved biocontrol by fungal antagonists (PhD thesis, G.M. Strømeng)

Development of real-time PCR methods for monitoring activity of selected fungal antagonists of Botrytis cinerea in strawberry flowers (MSc thesis, S. Harbo)

Selection and screening of naturally occuring fungal antagonists for biocontrol of plant disease in temperate climates (Tronsmo, Hjeljord, Strømeng, Harbo).

Mechanistic studies of fungal antagonism and infection (Tronsmo, Hjeljord, Strømeng, Harbo).

Characterization of fungal pathogens of insect pests (Hjeljord).

Improved winter survival of turf grass. Read more.... (Norwegian) (Tronsmo).

Publications and patents

Suggestive topics for master degrees in environmental microbiology can be viewed here (Norwegian).


Oppdatert: 20.06.05
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