We study how microbial communities in soil influence soil health, fertility, and agricultural productivity. Our work seeks to understand the key microbial players and processes that enhance nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and support crop resilience against environmental stressors. By identifying and promoting beneficial microbes, we aim to develop innovative solutions for sustainable farming and soil conservation.
In our host microbiome research, we focus on the intricate relationships between microbes and their hosts. Using plants like common bean, tomato, and wheat as model systems, we investigate how beneficial microbes support plant growth, disease resistance, and stress tolerance. Additionally, we study human microbiomes, with a particular focus on the skin and gut microbiomes, aiming to understand the mechanisms through which beneficial microbes promote health and prevent disease. Our goal is to harness these interactions to enhance plant and human health.
We are at the frontier of microbial ecology by constructing synthetic microbial communities—simplified ecosystems designed to test hypotheses about microbial interactions. These engineered communities allow us to explore fundamental questions about how microbes interact within ecosystems and with their hosts. We also build organ-on-chip devices to simulate and study microbial effects on host tissues, creating a platform for in-depth investigation of host-microbe interactions in controlled environments.
Our research combines a diverse range of methods, including:
Genomics: High-throughput sequencing to unravel the genetic potential of microbial communities.
Metabolomics: Profiling metabolites produced by microbes and hosts to understand their roles in metabolisms and signaling.
Microbiological Techniques: Traditional culture-based methods to isolate and study key microbial species.
Bioinformatics: Computational analysis to integrate genomic and environmental data, revealing patterns and functions within microbiomes.
Synthetic Biology: Constructing simplified microbial communities, generating targeted mutations, and using lab-based tools to test hypotheses.
We believe that collaboration is key to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation. We are always looking to build new partnerships that push microbiome research boundaries and drive impactful grant proposals forward. By working together, we can tackle complex scientific questions and develop practical applications for agriculture, biotechnology, and health.
We actively seek to engage with both academic and industry partners, and we welcome opportunities to join forces on research projects that expand the horizons of microbiome science. If you see that our knowledge and expertise align with your goals and would like to explore collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us at info@me2anda.eu.
Active collaborations:
Gabriele Berg (TU Graz, Austria)
Tomaz Accetto (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Primoz Titan and Manfred Jakop (University of Maribor, Slovenia)
Christian Jenul (University of Leicester, UK)
Cesar Rodrigues (University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica)
