Microbiology

Department

The mission of the Microbiology department (part of Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences) is to conduct research at the forefront of microbial ecology and physiology with the main aim of understanding the diversity, ecology, and physiology of microorganisms responsible for the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and carbon (methane).

Highlights

A colleague conducting research with microbiology facilities

NWO funding for research project on the effects of climate change on microbial growth in cooling towers

An international research team has received an NWO grant of €700,000 for the research project MicroSafe, which focuses on the impact of climate change on microbial growth in wet cooling towers.

Subsidie en prijzen / award

ERC Consolidator Grants for research on methane eaters, air showers and language in our brain

Five Radboud University researchers are set to receive a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). Their research covers topics such as methane-eating micro-organisms, air showers from space, and how our brain processes language.

Portretfoto Sebastian Lucker

Sebastian Lücker appointed Professor of Applied and Environmental Microbiology

As of September 1 2025, Sebastian Lücker has been appointed Professor of Applied and Environmental Microbiology at the Faculty of Science.

Research

The Microbiology department conducts research on microorganisms in freshwater and marine systems, studying their physiology, interactions, survival strategies and involvement in nitrogen and methane cycles.

In close collaboration with stakeholders and industrial partners, the department collaborates on the development of microbial applications in sustainable drinking water production and wastewater treatment systems in order to remove nitrogen, methane and micropollutants (CECs).

There is a focus on the following research themes: 1. Nitrogen Cycle Microbiology, 2. Carbon/Methane Cycle Microbiology, 3. Host-Microbe Interactions, and 4. Bioremediation. 

The department collaborates on these themes with expertise in microbial metabolomics, microbial cell biology and biochemistry, environmental microbiology, microbial biotechnology, microbial physiology, microbial bioinformatics, geomicrobiology and biogeochemistry.

Publications

Internships

Would you like to do your internship at the Microbiology department? Please get in touch for more information. A few examples of relevant subjects are:

  • Microbial Removal of Organic Micropollutants Under Wastewater Treatment Conditions
  • Multi-Omic Characterisation of Nitrospira Moscoviensis
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Mechanism of Hydrazine Synthase in the Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidizer Kuenenia Stuttgartiensis
  • Novel Methane- and Ammonia-Oxidizing Microorganisms from Acidic Environments
  • Biochemistry and Physiology of a Metabolite Produced by Stressed Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
  • Effect of Seawater Intrusion and Increased Salinization on Methane Emission

The research department offers various Bachelor's and Master's courses. The department is closely involved in the Bachelor's Biology and the Master's specialisation Microbiology. Coordinator of the education programmes is Cornelia Welte.

Internships

Projects

4D reconstruction of de novo cristae formation in malaria parasite mitochondria

We combine state-of-the-art experimental genetics with complexome profiling and advanced imaging techniques to study the process of de novo cristae formation in malaria parasite mitochondria.

Research project M. tuberculosis

Elucidating metabolic dark matter in M. tuberculosis

M. tuberculosis (Mtb) causes tuberculosis, a devastating disease that claims over one million lives annually. Our research focuses on discovering novel Mtb metabolites and enzymes that could become promising targets for new drug development.

Afbeelding labmateriaal

AMOXENSE: Ammonia Biosensing in Wastewater Treatment using Bacteria

This project will develop an ammonium biosensor that can uniquely operate in the low oxygen and anoxic conditions found in wastewater treatment plants. This biotechnology will contribute to optimizing ammonium removal during wastewater treatment.

Academic staff

Below are the professors, associate professors and assistant professors of Microbiology. Chair of the department is Prof. Cornelia Welte.

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Contact information

Visiting address
Heyendaalseweg 135
6525AJ Nijmegen
024-3652940
Contact person
L.A. Burgers (Lidwien)