OUR RESEARCH

Cultivation and Isolation of Novel Microorganisms

DNA sequencing has revolutionized our knowledge of the diversity of microorganisms in nature; however, only a fraction of microbes has been cultivated in the laboratory. While it is fairly easy to find new DNA sequences, it can be remarkably difficult to culture new microbes. Bringing microbes into cultivation is a skill set that can be acquired, and students in the Löffler Lab have the opportunity to engage in enrichment and isolation of novel microorganisms of interest. This can be tedious work and often requires innovative approaches, and the student must learn how to establish a “connection” with the microbe that is being chased. Patience is of essence but the rewards for cultivating a new and interesting microorganism can be substantial.