Microbial life under hyperarid conditions (B04)

• Subject Area: Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 268236062

We address the distribution, activity and adaptation of microorganisms in hyperarid deserts. Biogeographic patterns are studied in the soil and host associated microbiota (plant and beetle) to identify environmental factors and landscape features that explain these patterns and to assess potential co-dispersal between host and associated microbiota. The importance of water for microbial activity is studied as second major aim, as metabolic activity is considered a prerequisite for long-term survival and to modulate ecosystem appearance. Third aim is the identification of adaptation mechanisms to drought in dependence on water availability, enabling a comparison of adaptation strategies between micro- and macroorganisms.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1211: Earth - Evolution at the Dry Limit
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Co-Applicant Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Claudia Knief