Centre for Synthetic Biology and the Bioeconomy

Staff Profile

Dr Sven Lahme

Research Associate

Background

Education

  • 2010-2013 PhD candidate General and Molecular Microbiology Group of Prof. Ralf Rabus, ICBM Oldenburg (Germany) and Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology Bremen (Germany)

    PhD thesis title: “Physiological and Molecular Investigation of the Anaerobic 4-Methylbenzoate and Benzoate Degradation in Magnetospirillum sp. Strain pMbN1“

    Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ralf Rabus

  • 2004-2009 Studies in biology at University of Bremen (Topics: Microbiology, cell biology and biochemistry)

    Diploma thesis title: “Cultivation of the Denitrifying Bacterium “Aromatoleum aromaticum“ strain EbN1 in Anoxic Chemostats: Acetate-limited Growth and the Induction of Benzoate Utilization“

    Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Friedrich Widdel and Prof. Dr. Ralf Rabus                                      


Previous projects and appointments

  • Since 2018 Research Associate, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
  • 2016-2018 Marie Curie Early Career Research Fellow, Geomicrobiology Group, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
  • 2014-2016 Research Associate, Geomicrobiology Group, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
  • 2010-2013 Research assistant, ICBM Oldenburg (Germany) and Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology Bremen (Germany), DFG priority project 1319 “Biological transformations of hydrocarbons without oxygen: from the molecular to the global scale“ 
  • 2007-2009 Student assistant at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology Bremen


Memberships

German Association for General and Applied Microbiology - VAAM

Society of Applied Microbiology - SfAM


Area of Expertise

Microbiologically-influenced corrosion and microbial genomics 

Google Scholar

Research

Understanding microbial redox processes and their impact in subsurface environments and industrial settings.

As a microbiologist, my research focuses on microbial redox processes of inorganic and organic compounds and their effect on geological and man-made environments. Understanding the molecular basis of microorganisms in these systems will help us to improve existing, and develop novel mitigation, bioengineering and bioenergy strategies to help overcome energy challenges in the future.

In order to gain insights into the complex biogeochemical interactions, I use an interdisciplinary approach including state-of-the-art methods in microbial genomics, analytical chemistry and electrochemistry. These techniques are applied to pure cultures, synthetic microbial communities and microbial enrichment cultures in an attempt to deconstruct and reconstruct complex microbial communities.

In this regard, my research interests encompass the following topics:

  • Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)
  • Souring and souring mitigation strategies
  • Microbial redox processes: S and N cycles
  • Microbial mineral interactions
  • Anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation
  • Microbial metabolism: Physiology, genomic, gene expression and regulation

Publications