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.

Team2025
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

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
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Marine
Oligotrophic Microorganisms

We explore the marine microbiome across diverse environmental settings, investigating microbial interactions.

Prof. Kankana Kundu
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