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We study and use microbes

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BIOLOGY

We study the physiology, genetics, evolution and ecology of both benign and pathogenic microbes

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MODELS

We unravel general biological mechanisms and systems using microbes as models

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APPLICATIONS

From new antibiotics to probiotics, we pursue industrial and clinical applications of microbial communities

From antibiotics to biofuel and chocolate

We develop and use state-of-the-art technologies to generate superior microbes for use in medical, industrial, environmental and food applications. We work with industrial partners to develop tailor-made solutions, from microbial cell factories and precision fermentation for production of pharmaceuticals, food additives, bioplastics, biofuels and aroma compounds to generating novel probiotics and better microbes for beer, wine, bread and chocolate production.

Welcome to our research center

Join us on a tour of our labs and learn more about the impact of our work.

Meet our teams

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Masschelein lab

The Laboratory for Biomolecular Discovery & Engineering

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We explore the biosynthetic creativity of microorganisms

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Michiels lab

Symbiotic and pathogenic interaction group

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We study bacterial survival under stress conditions

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Raes lab

Bioinformatics and (eco)systems biology

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We combine next-generation sequencing and computational approaches to investigate the human microbiome

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Verstrepen lab

Lab for systems biology

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We study eukaryotic genetics and superior industrial yeasts

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Vonesch lab

Genome editing & systems genetics

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We study and apply precision genome engineering in microbes

We are supported by