LM-UGent

LM-UGent is a Laboratory devoted to Microbiology in the Faculty of Sciences at Ghent University

10/06/2026

: Meet the next generation of scientists 🔬🎓

This year, we had the pleasure of hosting several master’s thesis students in our lab, each contributing to exciting research projects!

👉 Swipe through to get to know them and discover their research topics

Mare Bouche: Small plastics, stressed plants: microplastics and their impact on crop performance

Yade De Maesschalk: On the trail of new biostimulants: from targeted isolation to functional genomics and in planta experiments

Roosje De Vos: Mining the functional arsenal of bacterial secreted small proteins

Lucas Evenepoel: Characterization of benthic diatom-microbe interactions under abiotic stress

Aneth Lemant: Cultivating the ocular surface microbiome in search for dry eye disease associated bacteria

Iefke Rokegem: A needle in a haystack: searching for PE plastic degrading bacteria in soil environment

Tiro Van Gestelen: Early-stage microbial seed coating development to enhance Helianthus annuus seed germination

Good luck to them all with the master thesis defences!

05/06/2026

: Seagulls as Bacterial Spreaders? 🐦🦠

Seagulls may be more than just coastal visitors—they could play a role in spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Living close to humans, they feed on waste from cities and farms, moving easily between environments. Their migration across borders further increases the chance of transporting resistant bacteria between regions.

As part of this research, master’s student Jarne Teirlinck sampled a seagull colony at the Belgian coast and screened f***s for ESBL (Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase enzymes)-producing bacteria—microbes that can break down common antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. Using a selective ESBL medium, we could detect and isolate these resistant strains.

Understanding how such bacteria spread is key in tackling antimicrobial resistance.

03/06/2026

: Decoding foodborne bacteria 🧬🍽️

In the food microbiology lab of Prof. Houf, we study foodborne bacteria such as Campylobacter, Proteus, Escherichia, and Hafnia. After isolating them from food products, we use Nanopore sequencing to read their DNA and explore their genomes in detail.

We observe striking genetic diversity—even within the same species—often linked to differences like the presence of plasmids.

The next challenge is to understand what these genes actually do, bringing us closer to uncovering how these bacteria survive and cause disease.

01/06/2026

: The Hidden Impostor — Escherichia albertii 🦠

Meet Escherichia albertii, a lesser-known relative that can cause diarrhea in humans which often flies under the radar. Why? Because in the lab, it is easily mistaken for E. coli.😲

Our team developed a selective agar medium that allows clear differentiation between the two species. The key lies in their ability to ferment specific sugars: on this medium, E. albertii forms distinct white colonies, making identification straightforward.

Using this approach, we successfully isolated E. albertii from chicken meat and seagull f***s—but many questions remain. How is it transmitted? And how do humans become infected?

🔎 Uncovering the answers will be crucial to better monitor and understand this often-overlooked pathogen.

22/05/2026

: A Splash of Color in Microbiology 🎨🧬

A major milestone to celebrate: the successful public PhD defence of 👏

Her research explored the fascinating world of pigment-producing bacteria from underexplored and extreme environments. In habitats shaped by stress—such as UV radiation, nutrient limitation, or temperature extremes—microorganisms often produce unique pigments as part of their survival strategies.

By sampling diverse environments—including soils, plant-associated niches, urban road surfaces, and even Antarctic microbial mats—this work uncovered an impressive diversity of pigment-producing bacteria. Among these were previously unrecognized producers and potentially novel compounds, highlighting just how much microbial diversity remains to be discovered.

Beyond expanding our understanding of microbial ecology, this research also laid the groundwork for the BioChroma project, which investigates how these natural pigments could be used in food and feed applications.

A beautiful example of how fundamental microbiology can inspire innovative, real-world applications 🌱

20/05/2026

: Tiny Microbes, Global Consequences 🌍🧬

What if some of the biggest drivers of climate change were invisible to the naked eye?

In this EOS Wetenschap feature—co-written by our own researcher —we dive into the powerful yet often overlooked role of microorganisms in shaping our climate.

From methane-producing microbes in cattle 🐄 to ancient pathogens re-emerging from thawing permafrost 🧊, the article highlights how these microscopic players can have macroscopic impacts on our environment.

It’s a compelling reminder that understanding the microbial world is key to tackling some of today’s most pressing global challenges.

🔗 Read the full article via the link in bio or here:
https://www.eoswetenschap.eu/natuur-milieu/microscopische-spelers-met-macroscopische-klimaatimpact

15/05/2026

: SOS for Ethiopia 🌍🧬🌱

Earlier this year, postdoctoral researcher travelled to Ethiopia to deliver hands-on training in Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing—bringing cutting-edge microbiome tools directly to the field. 🧬

This visit is part of the VLIR-UOS project “SOS for Ethiopia”, a collaborative effort between , , and Arba Minch University. Together, researchers are working to develop solutions that improve legume production in both Belgium and Ethiopia. 🦠🌱🌍

While these regions differ greatly in climate, soils, and farming systems, they share common challenges—and often, similar biological solutions can be found. That’s what makes international collaborations like this so valuable: exchanging knowledge, building capacity, and advancing science that benefits all partners.

Beyond the training sessions, there was also time to explore Ethiopia’s incredible landscapes and biodiversity (🐒🦜🐊🦋) —offering a reminder of the rich ecosystems that underpin agricultural systems everywhere.🧑‍🌾

13/05/2026

: From Soil to Soy — Mapping Microbiomes Across Belgium 🌱

What’s happening beneath our feet can shape the future of agriculture.

For the Soy 2.0 project—also known as the “Soy in 60 Fields” initiative— has been out in the field (literally!) collecting soil samples this season. In 2026, 50 agricultural fields across Belgium will be sampled to uncover the diversity of bacterial and fungal communities living in the soil.

These hidden microbial networks play a key role in plant health, nutrient availability, and crop productivity. By mapping them, researchers aim to better understand how to optimize conditions for soybean cultivation in Belgium—an important step toward more sustainable and locally adapted agriculture.

🧩 This is just one piece of the puzzle—but an essential one.
Curious to learn more about the project?
👉 https://vib.be/en/research-and-impact/grand-challenges/selected-projects/soy-20

01/05/2026

: MIBIREM bacteria

In 2026, up to 300 bacterial isolates from the MIBIREM project (https://mibirem.eu/) are selected for deposit in the BCCM/LMG public bacteria collection. The strong expertise of the BCCM/LMG labteam in freeze-drying comes in handy here! Freeze drying is a lab technique used for long term preservation of bacterial strains in glass containers or ampules.

🔬 "Securing and exploring microbial biodiversity for a sustainable and healthy future."

👉 Swipe to explore:
1. Harvesting bacterial suspensions in glass tubes to start the freeze-drying process
2. The freeze-drying equipment, CHRIST Epsilon 2-4 LSCplus with a capacity of 500 glass tubes.
3. Narrowing the glass tubes after freeze-drying
4. Close-up
5. Sealing the glass tubes to close the ampules
6. Close-up

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29/04/2026

: bacteria training 💪🦠

In March 2026 the yearly training on Basic Bacteriology and Bacterial Preservation took place at , the public bacteria collection hosted at LM-UGent. This theoretical and hands-on training (ca. 50/50) is designed for academia and industry to enhance their understanding of bacteriology principles and effective methods for microbial preservation.

Each year an international group of trainees come to Ghent for this training.
If you want to join next years edition, reach out to BCCM/LMG via the link in bio.

👉 Swipe to explore:
1. Jindrich Peiren, trainer expert in bacterial preservation @ BCCM/LMG with enthusiastic trainees.
2. Trainees in the lab, receiving demo’s and hands-on training on how to culture bacteria in a sterile way.
3. Trainees in the lab, learning one of the many steps of the freeze-drying technique.

[email protected]

Adres

K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35
Ghent
9000

Website

https://www.ugent.be/we/biochemicro/nl/onderzoek/lm-ugent/overzicht.htm

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