ITU-BOUN MEG | Microbial Ecology Group
At the ITU-BOUN Microbial Ecology Group (MEG), we investigate the intricate roles of microorganisms in both engineered systems and natural environments through a multidisciplinary lens. With our experienced team and robust infrastructure, we conduct high-impact research that integrates microbial ecology, environmental biotechnology, molecular biology, and systems-based approaches to address complex ecological and environmental challenges.
What We Do
We conduct both fundamental and applied research to elucidate microbial interactions and functions across a broad spectrum of ecosystems—from engineered environments such as inovative water/wastewater treatment, waste to energy technologies, valorization of agricultural wastes/manure/ biological sludge into green products and green chemicals to natural and extreme habitats including air, water, sediments, hydrothermal systems, and polar permafrost zones.
Our Core Areas of Expertise Include:
- Biotreatment and Bioremediation: Development of innovative microbial-based technologies for the treatment of solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes, and the remediation of hydrocarbon- and heavy metal-contaminated ecosystems.
- Biomonitoring and Environmental Diagnostics: Application of high-resolution molecular tools (e.g., qPCR, metagenomics, amplicon sequencing, transcriptomics) for real-time monitoring and functional characterization of microbial communities in both environmental and engineered systems.
- Bioenergy and Green Products: Exploration and optimization of single and two phase anaerobic digestion, VFAs (as green products), biohydrogen and biogas production processes through microbial process engineering and omics-based process enhancement.
- Microbial Resource Exploration: Isolation, identification, and functional profiling of novel microbial taxa—including thermophiles, psychrophiles, halophiles, and extremophiles—from unique and polyextreme environments for biotechnological applications.
Field-Based Investigations
Our laboratory capabilities are complemented by comprehensive field research programs. Some of our recent and ongoing projects include:
- Arctic Ecosystems: Investigations in Russia’s Arctic territories—particularly around the Tazovsky region—focused on the impacts of permafrost thaw, climate change, and land use shifts on microbial community dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Salda Lake (Türkiye): As one of the closest terrestrial analogs to Mars' Jezero Crater, Lake Salda offers a unique setting to study microbial life in high-alkaline, magnesium-rich, and ultra-oligotrophic conditions. We explore microbial adaptations, biomineralization processes, and potential biotechnological applications under these extreme conditions.
- Marine Microbial Ecology: Biodiversity and function-based assessments in the Black Sea, Mediterranean, Aegean, and Marmara Seas, including anoxic sediments and petroleum-contaminated marine environments.
- Urban Aquatic Systems (e.g., Golden Horn): Longitudinal studies on microbial community shifts in response to anthropogenic impacts, environmental restoration, and urban hydrological changes.
- Extreme and Polyextreme Environments: Microbial surveys and metagenomic investigations in geothermal fields, deep-sea basins, cold-adapted high-altitude lakes, and other sites with combinations of physicochemical stressors.
Innovation through Molecular and Biotechnological Tools
Our group has developed several patented biotechnological methods and custom-engineered diagnostic platforms that enable:
- Tailor-made environmental solutions for complex pollution problems,
- Microbial community engineering for waste valorization and resource recovery,
- Design of synthetic microbial consortia for climate-resilient bioprocesses.
We are also pioneers in applying integrated omics, synthetic biology, and AI-based modeling for the dynamic control and optimization of microbial systems. Our unique methodologies are applied across diverse sectors—from sanitation to environmental restoration and carbon sequestration.
Global Collaborations and Impact
Our group actively contributes to global-scale research consortia and mega projects, including the TerrArctic Project, where we provide microbial and environmental data to support climate adaptation strategies in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
Through our multidisciplinary research, engineering innovations, and field-based insights, we aim to bridge science and practice—delivering sustainable solutions for today’s most pressing environmental challenges.