Heads:
Dr. Michael Schmid e-mail
Telephone: +49 (0)89/3187-3415
Telefax: +49 (0)89/3187-3382
Prof. Dr. Anton Hartmann e-mail
Telephone: +49 (0)89/3187-4109

Deputy:
Dr. Michael Rothballer e-mail
Telephone: +49 (0)89/3187-3534

The major field of research of the group “Molecular Microbial Ecology” is situated in the Helmholtz programme “Earth and Environment” with the focus on “Sustainable Bioproduction”. In this topic the contribution of plant-associated microorganisms for plant growth promotion and plant health is a central issue to improve sustainable agricultural approaches. Furthermore, the major theme of the Helmholtz Zentrum München on “Environmental Health” is reflected in the additional focus of the research group on the interaction of human pathogenic and toxin producing bacteria with agricultural plants as well as on studies with probiotics and gut microbiota. The aim is to contribute new scientific knowledge to a better understanding of microbe-eukaryote interactions. This is of great relevance for improving plant performance under stress conditions and also reducing potential risks of certain agricultural practices by assessing the contamination potential of plants with food borne and toxin producing pathogens. In addition, the research group examines the direct interaction of bacteria and human health with a focus on bacterial signalling substances from pathogenic as well as probiotic bacteria and their interaction with the complex microbial community in the gut and the immune system. These research tasks are performed in close cooperation with research groups from the health sector.

The research group’s expertise ranges from classical microbiology to molecular genetics with a focus on molecular microbial phylogeny, complex analysis of structure and function of microbial communities and highly resolving microscopic techniques. The group runs a fully equipped molecular biological laboratory and a phytochamber with permission to work with class 2 wild type and genetically modified bacterial and fungal strains.

The following main topics summarize our scientific activities:

• Mechanisms of plant growth stimulation under stress conditions by root associated stress tolerant microbes more
• Plant growth promotion as well as biofilm related microbial signaling more
• Microbial communities in plant microbial fuel cells more
• Human pathogenic bacteria in crop plants more PathOrganic project
• Immune modulatory compounds from Gram-positive probiotics more
• Impact of the microbiome on the development of diabetes more
• Immunochemical Analysis and Biosensors more