CMET

Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology

CMET researchers study microbial communities & interactions to better understand and steer ecological processes with an ultimate aim of improving and enabling biotechnological applications.

The Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET) is a part of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University. CMET is specialized in the study and application of mixed microbial cultures or 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. We define it as Microbial Resource Management (MRM), enabling us to develop novel products and (technological) processes to improve our environment or human health in the most sustainable way.

The CMET research group is part of the Department of Biotechnology and comprises about 85 academics, technical and administrative staff.

Research domains

CMET focuses on areas like disease prevention, applied microbial ecology, host-microbe interactions, life support in space, microbial electrocatalysis, resource recovery, and water treatment.

Microbial
Community Engineering

We study and manage complex microbial communities and microbial interactions such as cell-cell communication, horizontal gene transfer and biofilm formation.

Prof. Nico Boon
Prof. Kankana Kundu

Host-Microbe
Interaction

We obtain a mechanistic understanding of the host-microbiome interaction and shape future preventive and therapeutic strategies to support human health.

Prof. Tom Van de Wiele

Bioprocess
Engineering

We focus on microbial and physicochemical waste treatment technologies that enable recovery of water, nutrients and carbon from human waste and crop residues.

Prof. Ramon Ganigué

Architecture of
Microbial Ecology

We focus on understanding the nature of the interaction between the microorganisms and the electrodes as well as on innovative process and technology development.

Prof. Jo De Vrieze

Bacterial
Activity Management

We investigate novel strategies to control bacterial infections by unravelling bacterial disease mechanisms and develop strategies to interfere with these mechanisms.

Prof. Tom Defoirdt

Water
Treatment & Production

We apply biotechnological processes for wastewater treatment and reuse, and study the drinking water microbiome in production and distribution systems.

Prof. Bart De Gusseme
A8
Event | News

UPDATE: Second Emerging Microbial Technologies conference

THANK YOU! What an inspiring day full of science, high-quality presentations, and engaging discussions! A heartfelt thank you to:🔬 All the participants who brought their passion, curiosity, and cutting-edge research to the stage and poster sessions.🎤 Our keynote speakers, who challenged and inspired us with their visionary talks: Tomasz Calikowski (European Commission), Sarah Lebeer (University of Antwerp), and Yuemei […]

Inez
Doctoral dissertation | HMI | News | Uncategorized

13/05: Public defence of the doctoral dissertation of Inez Roegiers

The public defence, “Modelling host-microbe interactions in the small intestinal microenvironment“, will take place on the 13th of May 2025 at 17:00 in the Auditorium E1 Oehoe at Campus Coupure, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent. Abstract of the doctoral research Host-microbe interactions in the small intestine play a fundamental role in human health, yet are […]

Methalgae
AMIE2 | News | Paper

Biogas can be more than just energy – (update)

Biogas is a widely available but often underused resource. Can we do more with it than just burn it for energy? A recent study, led by Dr. Patricia Ruiz Ruiz, PhD student Patricia Mohedano Caballero, and Prof. Jo De Vrieze, explores how methalgae—a special mix of methane-eating bacteria and algae—can turn biogas into valuable biochemicals. […]

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