Adaptive Life Sciences

Climate change is altering habitats at an unprecedented rate. This research topic investigates how microorganisms, plants and animals adapt genetically and physiologically to new environmental conditions. The focus is on evolutionary processes, natural selection and short-term adaptation mechanisms that ensure the survival of populations.

By combining genomics, experimental evolution and ecological modelling, the team analyses which genetic changes are associated with increased resilience to heat, drought or other environmental stressors. The aim is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of biological adaptation and to be better able to predict future developments.

Microorganisms form the basis of almost all ecosystems. This research topic investigates how microbial communities respond to climate-related disturbances and what role they play in the stability and regeneration of ecosystems.

Using modern sequencing technologies, metagenomics and data-driven analyses, changes in microbial networks are investigated across a range of environmental conditions. Particular attention is paid to the interactions between microbial diversity, material cycles and the resilience of soil, aquatic and plant ecosystems.

Biological adaptation arises from the interplay between genetic makeup and environmental conditions. This research topic develops integrative approaches to link genomic data with environmental information and phenotypic traits.

The research combines high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, machine learning and comparative analyses to identify molecular signatures of successful adaptation processes. The insights gained help to compare adaptive mechanisms across different species and to develop new strategies for conserving biodiversity in the face of climate change.