Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET)

The Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET) is specialized in the study and application of microbial 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. They define it as Microbial Resource Management (MRM), enabling them to develop novel products and (technological) processes to improve the environment or human health in the most sustainable way.

More specifically, CMET applies this approach in the fields of:

• Abatement and prevention of bacterial diseases;
• Applied microbial ecology;
• Host-microbe interaction technology;
• Life support systems for space;
• Microbial electrocatalysis and electrochemical engineering;
• Resource recovery and valorization;
• Water treatment and production.