Virology of microorganisms

Our research group studies viruses that infect archaea.

These are small, single-celled organisms that are similar to bacteria, but belong to their own group. They often inhabit extreme environments such as hot springs, salt lakes and the deep sea. Unlike bacteria, archaea have special cell walls and are more closely related to animal, plant and human cells (i.e. eukaryotes) than to bacteria.

To understand the interactions between viruses and microorganisms, we use classical microbiological methods such as cultivating microorganisms and viruses, genetically manipulating microorganisms, characterising proteins, and using electron microscopy in combination with RNA and DNA sequencing techniques.

We study virus-host models from extreme habitats, particularly salt lakes. Our interests include new virus defence mechanisms, the influence of viruses on microbial communities (composition, genetic exchange and the evolutionary development of microorganisms) and viral evolution. Extracellular vesicles are an inevitable by-product of working with viruses, which is why we have established this research topic as a second branch of research in our group. We are particularly interested in the interactions between extracellular vesicles and viruses.  

Although our research has thus far focused on archaea from extreme habitats, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with other scientists interested in viruses of different microorganisms or those working with microbial viruses in other habitats, particularly alpine regions.