Science director: Kevin Verstrepen

Many of life’s basic mechanisms were first discovered in micro-organisms, which are an important model system for cells in higher organisms.. Micro-organisms can make us sick and, despite the evolution of antibiotics, more research is needed to control infectious diseases. On the other hand, many micro-organisms are beneficial: intestinal microbes, for example, are essential for the digestion of food and play a crucial role in our health. And let’s not forget the role micro-organisms play in the production of fermented beverages and foods, biofuels, pharmaceuticals and bioplastics. Research at CfM combines these different aspects by increasing our basic understanding of microbes and higher organisms, and by translating this knowledge into environmental, industrial and medical applications.