Methanogenic archaea are free-living organisms that typically live in sediments in a wide range of oxygen-free environments, but few species have been also found in host-associated microbiomes, including the gut, skin, mouth, and respiratory tract of humans and other animals. Why do methanogenic archaea live in such diverse environments? What is the role of methanogenic archaea in ecosystems and host-associated microbiomes? We have some hypotheses that our fantastic team members are testing and we hope to have evidence to answer these questions in the coming years.

We are finding archaea in a wide range of environments using specific primers!  Questions? Please contact us!

We are also exploring interactions between archaea, anaerobes, and other microorganisms in environments and anaerobic bioreactors, with the goal of enhancing microbial capabilities and proposing applications in bioremediation and production of biogas and byproducts.

Key publications:

1) Ecotourism-induced eutrophication alters the diversity of bacteria, archaea and fungi at the Agua Azul waterfalls in southeastern Mexico (coming soon).

2) Microbes produce biofilms to support their communities in nutrient-limited environments

3) Efficient bioreactor system for biological treatment and methane production from fish processing wastewater

4) Syntrophy between bacteria and archaea enhances methane production in an EGSB bioreactor fed by cheese whey wastewater

Interested in joining the lab or collaborating with us? Please contact us!