Oil reservoirs are complex microbial ecosystems which mostly favor either methanogenesis or sulfate reduction, but not both.

Our new findings show that even in sulfate-adapted microbial communities and under high sulfate concentrations, methanogenesis can still occur, albeit to a minor extent.
This challenges long-standing assumptions and provides new insights into carbon cycling, biogeochemical interactions, and microbial dynamics in oil reservoirs and related environments.

 

We warmly congratulate Michelle Kulbatzki on winning the Interdisciplinary Aquatic Ecosystem Research Award 2025 from the Water Science Alliance.

Michelle carried out her Bachelor thesis in our group cosupervised by Sabina Marks, entitled “Investigation of the Oil-Degrading Abilities of Algae–Bacteria Communities from Natural Oil-Associated Habitats", funded by the Daimler and Benz Foundation. Her research provides valuable insights into microbial communities isolated from natural oil-habitats and their role in oil degradation.

This recognition highlights again the interdisciplinary strength of her work and Michelle’s dedication to advancing aquatic environmental science. We sincerely thank the jury for their appreciation and recognition.

We are proud of her achievement and warmly congratulate her on this outstanding success!

​Oil contamination is a serious threat to ecosystems—whether in oceans, freshwater bodies, forests, or urban environments. Lisa was interviewed by the Daimler and Benz Foundation about how communities of algae and bacteria can naturally break down oil.

By uncovering the biological mechanisms behind this natural degradation process, Lisas and Sabinas work aims to support the development of sustainable strategies for tackling oil pollution.

UDE press release

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Students got the chance to experience science first-hand in exciting, hands-on workshops. During "Fall Academy" students and teachers from the Burggymnasium created and investigated luminescent materials while gaining insight into real research on new molecules. In the 3D printing lab, they explored how polymers were transformed into functional materials using cutting-edge printing technologies. In our microbiology lab, Sabina, Hilal, and Lisa guided students in examining water samples under the microscope, revealing the fascinating diversity of algae and aquatic microorganisms.These workshops open a window into modern scientific research and inspire curiosity for the world of science and innovation.

Paul Keller and Paul Henneboele have successfully submitted their Bachelor theses! ​​

The students of Aquatic Biology worked on the topic of oil degradation, focusing on the roles of algae and their associated prokaryotes, both individually (algae and procaryotes alone) and in combination. 

Both Pauls did an outstanding job – we're proud of their scientific work and dedication!
We wish them all the best on their future paths and lots of success in everything that lies ahead!  Congratulations!
 

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We had a great time at the FEMS Micro Microbiology Conference in Milan! Verena, Rainer, and Lisa each presented our research from the Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (UMB). We had fantastic four days full of new input, discussions, and wonderful people and also the great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful city of Milan and delicious italian food. Verena showed how temperature and salinization affect microbial degradation processes in sediments, depending on carbon availability.
Rainer presented insights from pristine oil reservoirs, showing that biodegradation happens throughout the entire reservoir and being strongly dependent on the water content in the sediments. 
Lisa shared for the first time findings from her junior research group to an international audience. Lisa talked about the microbiology in natural oil seeps and the role of prokaryote-algae interactions (isolated from these habitats) in enhancing oil degradation. Funded by Daimler und Benz Stiftung. Thanks to everyone who made it such wonderful days full of exciting science!

In our freshly published study "Chemoorganoautotrophic lifestyle of the anaerobic enrichment culture N47 growing on naphthalene" we show that the anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacterium N47, known for degrading the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene, uses a chemoorganoautotrophic lifestyle.
Until now, this kind of metabolism was only known in methylotrophs. Our findings represent the first report of chemoorganoautotrophy in microbes utilizing complex aromatic compounds.

At least ten other anaerobic microbes, primarily hydrocarbon degraders and ANAMMOX, also encode theses pathways, suggesting that N47’s metabolism may not be unique. This study advances our understanding of anaerobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation, carbon cycling, and microbial ecology.

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​As part of Girls' Day at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), we were able to take curious young schoolgirls into the fascinating world of science!
Together, Sabina and Lisa led a group of 15 schoolgirls through the workshop “Algal and bacterial communities: small creatures, big impact!”, in which they explored how these microorganisms form communities and work together to break down crude oil.

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​People from UMB, including our group, participated in the Annual VAAM Conference (Vereinigung für Allgemeine und Angewandte Mikrobiologie) in Bochum. Rudolf Walter presented his Master’s thesis project, and Lisa gave a talk in the Young Researchers Network session. The conference offered valuable discussions, new scientific connections, and was an inspiring experience for our entire team!

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​​On Friday, 14.03.2025, 25 students from TU Delft (NL) and Leiden University (NL) visited the Faculty of Chemistry to find out about possible theses and current research at the Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (EMB). In addition to short presentations by EMB members, the students visited the laboratories and also had the opportunity to exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. The visit was organized by the Dutch student association Lustrum Life as well as Lisa and Jens.