Infrastructure: GFZ

Geomicrobiology in the GeoBioLab@GFZ

Overview methods *(Diagram: D. Wagner/GFZ)*

The geomicrobiology laboratories are part of the GeoBioLab – The Helmholtz Laboratory for Integrated Geological and Biological Research. The GeoBioLab provides a platform for interdisciplinary research across various scientific fields, including microbiology/molecular biology, biogeochemistry, soil science/sedimentology, geology, mineralogy, and physics. It enables the investigation of fundamental questions regarding surface–deep biosphere interactions, particularly within the critical zone, using state-of-the-art methodologies. To conduct fundamental research on the (micro)biological, (bio)geochemical, and geological processes and their dynamics in deep sedimentary deposits and rock formations, the laboratory is fully equipped for both classical microbiological studies (e.g., isolation and characterization of bacteria and archaea, taxonomy, and physiology) and culture-independent analyses of microbial communities (e.g., DNA/RNA-based studies, quantitative PCR, stable isotope probing, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics). A key aspect of this research is the quantification of slow biological processes, particularly microbial transformation processes and rates of organic matter turnover in geological habitats. This also includes modeling geomicrobiological processes and microbial networks.

Molecular microbiology laboratories

Molecular microbial ecology is crucial for understanding the role of microorganisms in ecosystems, as it provides insights into microbial diversity, interactions, and functions at the molecular level. Our labs utilize advanced techniques for environmental DNA and RNA isolation but also DNA sequencing, metagenomics, and enumeration of microbial cells to uncover the genetic and metabolic capabilities of microbes in all kinds of natural environments. This knowledge is vital for addressing global challenges such as climate change, soil health and development, the sustainable utilization of the underground and the exploration of the limits of life.

Microbiology laboratories

Our microbiology laboratories are used for the enrichment, isolation, and characterization of novel microorganisms, including both aerobic and anaerobic species. We conduct phylogenetic and physiological analyses to describe new strains and assess their metabolic potential. Additionally, we perform physiological growth experiments under diverse environmental conditions, including extreme stress factors. Our research includes studies on microbial adaptation to desert environments (hot and cold), Martian-like conditions, and other extreme habitats, providing insights into microbial survival strategies in terrestrial and extraterrestrial extreme ecosystems. These investigations contribute to understand geo-bio interactions and expanding our understanding of microbial life in extreme conditions and its potential applications.

Geochemistry and radio isotope laboratories

Microorganisms interact with their environment as they produce and and consume dissolved compounds that will therefore become depleted or enriched in their surrounding, mainly in the pore water. Analysis of dissolved compounds is therefore a prerequisite for understanding microbial activity in geologic settings. Another major focus of our work in on direct detection of microbial turnover via the use of radioisotopes as those offer unsurpassed sensitivity. As microbial abundance and activity decreases with depth, radiotracers are often the only option to detect these faint traces of life.

Bioinformtic laboratories

Bioinformatics is an essential component for high-precision analyses of microbial communities, active genes and the reconstruction of new genomes. Our laboratory uses a variety of open-source software and contribute to develop new software solution for DNA and RNA sequencing data. To execute computation intensive algorithms, we have access to different sources of GFZ hardware and operate an own server.