About us
The laboratory conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface of environmental microbiology, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture, integrating three complementary domains of scientific inquiry.
The first domain focuses on the application of extremotolerant bacteria and their diverse metabolites—including siderophores, biosurfactants, osmoprotectants, enzymes, and exopolysaccharides—for soil biostimulation, remediation, and plant biofortification. Research in this area investigates microbial strategies to enhance soil fertility, promote nutrient mobilization, improve micronutrient bioavailability, and mitigate the effects of abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and chemical contamination, including persistent organic pollutants and potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The group emphasizes close plant–microbe interactions and the modulation of soil microbiomes, integrating studies on microbial ecology to understand how extremotolerant bacteria influence community structure, functional diversity, and ecosystem services. The laboratory develops biologically based formulations and biofertilizers optimized to restore soil microbial activity, improve soil structure and water retention, accelerate nutrient cycling, and support detoxification of contaminants. Integrating microbial physiology, soil chemistry, plant–microbe interactions, and omics approaches, this domain translates fundamental insights into practical solutions that enhance soil health, plant performance, and sustainable agricultural productivity.
The second domain addresses the broader ecological and biotechnological roles of microorganisms in environmental transformation, resource recovery, and sustainable agriculture. This research integrates microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental engineering to develop biological solutions that restore ecosystems, reduce waste, and support circular and climate-resilient bioeconomies. The laboratory investigates multifunctional microbial systems for in situ and ex situ remediation of contaminated soils and waters, focusing on detoxification and stabilization of pollutants such as heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, and other industrial contaminants. Research also targets microbial enzymatic pathways for biomass valorization and bioconversion of agricultural and industrial residues into high-value bio-based products, including biochemicals, pigments, and renewable substrates that substitute for fossil-based resources. Within this framework, the laboratory pioneers Dynamic Microbial Fertilizers (DYNAMF), adaptive and multifunctional biofertilizers that respond dynamically to soil conditions, crop requirements, and seasonal variability, promoting soil biological renewal, efficient nutrient cycling, and resilient plant growth.
The third domain focuses on bacteriophages and their interactions with microbial communities across diverse and extreme environments. The laboratory studies viral diversity, virus–host interactions, and virus-mediated processes to elucidate microbial community ecology, evolution, and functional dynamics. Both metagenomic (sequence-based) and functional (culture-based) methodologies are employed to discover novel host-phage systems and to identify viral genome-encoded products with potential biotechnological applications, including diagnostics, therapeutics, DNA delivery, and microbial strain engineering. Complementary research examines how phages and their bacterial hosts influence biogeochemical processes, soil microbiome structure, and the biotransformation of mineral and industrial waste streams such as coal fly ash, mediating trace element mobilization, immobilization, or recovery. Insights from this domain are applied to develop microbial-based strategies that enhance ecosystem resilience, improve soil and water quality, and contribute to innovative bio-based technologies for agriculture and environmental management.
Collectively, these three research domains form a cohesive scientific strategy that links fundamental microbial ecology, enzymology, and virology with applied biotechnology and sustainable agriculture. By integrating mechanistic studies with practical applications, the laboratory develops bio-based solutions that support soil regeneration, crop biofortification, environmental remediation, circular resource management, and the long-term health and resilience of agroecosystems.