CMET

Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology

    • CMET researchers study microbial communities & interactions to better understand and steer ecological processes with an ultimate aim of improving and enabling biotechnological applications.

    The Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET) is a part of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University. CMET is specialized in the study and application of mixed microbial cultures or communities. A microbial community consists of several populations, which each represent a functional biological entity and thus a diverse metabolic capacity. The assemblage of these biological entities represents -when properly organized- a powerful resource. CMET researchers focus on the optimal management of these microbial resources. We define it as Microbial Resource Management (MRM), enabling us to develop novel products and (technological) processes to improve our environment or human health in the most sustainable way.

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    The CMET research group is part of the Department of Biotechnology and comprises about 85 academics, technical and administrative staff.

    Research domains

    CMET focuses on areas like disease prevention, applied microbial ecology, host-microbe interactions, life support in space, microbial electrocatalysis, resource recovery, and water treatment.

    Microbial
    Community Engineering

    We study and manage complex microbial communities and microbial interactions such as cell-cell communication, horizontal gene transfer and biofilm formation.

    Prof. Nico Boon
    Prof. Kankana Kundu

    Host-Microbe
    Interaction

    We obtain a mechanistic understanding of the host-microbiome interaction and shape future preventive and therapeutic strategies to support human health.

    Prof. Tom Van de Wiele

    Bioprocess
    Engineering

    We focus on microbial and physicochemical waste treatment technologies that enable recovery of water, nutrients and carbon from human waste and crop residues.

    Prof. Ramon Ganigué

    Architecture of
    Microbial Ecology

    We focus on understanding the nature of the interaction between the microorganisms and the electrodes as well as on innovative process and technology development.

    Prof. Jo De Vrieze

    Bacterial
    Activity Management

    We investigate novel strategies to control bacterial infections by unravelling bacterial disease mechanisms and develop strategies to interfere with these mechanisms.

    Prof. Tom Defoirdt

    Water
    Treatment & Production

    We apply biotechnological processes for wastewater treatment and reuse, and study the drinking water microbiome in production and distribution systems.

    Prof. Bart De Gusseme
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