Microbiome engineering

• Describe the structure, function, and dynamics of microbiomes across different environments (e.g. soil, plant, and host-associated systems).
• Explain key concepts and strategies in microbiome engineering, including both the design of synthetic microbial communities and the targeted modification of natural microbiomes.
• Discuss current and emerging applications of microbiome engineering in health, agriculture, and biotechnology
• Explain recent technological advances in molecular biology, synthetic biology, and systems biology relevant to microbiome research and engineering.
• Describe and evaluate methods for microbiome characterization, including sequencing-based approaches, cultivation strategies, and experimental model systems (e.g. biofilm models).
• Analyze and interpret microbiome data using computational approaches and appropriate statistical frameworks.
• Design strategies to manipulate microbiomes by introducing or removing specific members, and by applying environmental or genetic interventions.
• Critically assess scientific literature within microbiome research and engineering, including experimental design, methodology, and data interpretation

The course provides an in-depth introduction to microbiome engineering, covering both the design of synthetic microbial communities and the targeted modification of natural microbiomes. It addresses the ecological and molecular principles that govern microbiome structure, function, and stability, including microbial interactions, chemical signaling, and environmental influences. The course will cover experimental and computational methods for microbiome characterization, such as sequencing-based approaches, cultivation strategies, sensor technologies, and model systems (e.g. biofilms). In addition, the course explores recent advances in molecular biology, synthetic biology, and systems biology that enable microbiome manipulation. Emphasis is placed on strategies to control and optimize microbiomes through introduction or removal of community members, as well as environmental and genetic interventions, with applications in health, agriculture, and biotechnology. Overall, the course equips students with the theoretical and analytical foundation to understand, analyze, and engineer microbiomes.

27026/27051/27200, Knowledge of basic experimental approaches in molecular microbiology to the level needed to interpret experimental data. Knowledge of microbial biodiversity and bacterial genetics and physiology to the level needed to be able to participate in reading and discussion of scientific literature.

Lectures, discussions of scientific papers, and data analysis through problem sets and case studies

Minimum: 10.

Please be aware that this course will only be held if the required minimum number of participants is met. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether the course will be held.