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Microverse Science Event

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medac research award 2023 for cutting-edge research

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Xience Award 2024: Walter Rosenthal honored as the first award winner

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Recruitment

We are currently looking for several Postdoctoral Researchers.

For more information on the open positions please visit our Job page.

What is the Microverse

Microorganisms are found in all habitats on earth and coexist with plants, animals and humans. The interactions of complex microbial communities with each other, with higher organisms and with the abiotic environment determine the functioning of ecosystems, our climate and the well-being of all organisms. Human activities or infectious microorganisms can dramatically disturb microbial communities and may result in the deterioration of ecosystems, weather extremes, severe crop losses or disease.

We aim to understand the formation and balance of microbial consortia and their interactive networks and offer innovative solutions for fighting disease and environmental dysbalance. Balance of the Microverse is a Cluster of Excellence at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. It is funded by the German Research Foundation under Germany's Excellence Strategy.

Mission

Microorganisms rule the world through space and time. Microbial consortia and their interactions control the environment and health. Their disturbance by (a)biotic factors has drastic consequences. A balanced interaction between all partners is critical for the maintenance of:

  • Functioning of all ecosystems
  • Stable climate
  • Growth and well-being of plants and animals
  • Human health and sustainable natural resources

The mission of the Microverse Cluster is to provide the scientific basis for understanding microbial balance from the molecular to the ecosystem level. We ultimately aim to develop technologies allowing for targeted interventions to maintain or restore microbial balance.

Learn more about our mission in a video statement of our spokesperson Kirsten Küsel

Upcoming events

Outreach Science Event in the Planetarium Jena. Discover the fascinating world of microbes.

The Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse" at the University of Jena presents a science spectacle at the Zeiss Planetarium Jena that brings the hidden world of microbes to life. The event is aimed at all age groups between 11 and 99 years and conveys the importance of microorganisms for our daily lives and the environment. (German language)

Upcoming events

SR Pasteur, Leibniz HKI

Microverse Seminar

A. Murat Eren (Helmholz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, Oldenburg)

Teaser: Research

Research: Into the Microverse

We investigate the dynamic balance of microbial consortia, the underlying factors and responses to disturbances.

Teaser: About

About: We are the Microverse

We bring together researchers from different disciplines to conduct joint research on the dynamics of microbial communities on earth.

Teaser: Career

Career: You are the Microverse

We foster international collaborations and exchange, and promote gender equality as well as the compatibility of family and career.

Teaser: Selected Publications

Selected Publications

View selected publications from our investigators in the thematic area of the Microverse Cluster.

Outreach

We aim to make our research more accessible to different target groups as we translate the scientific results into various projects.

The following selection shows examples of our Outreach activities:

  • Planetarium Film
  • Videos
  • Audio
  • Artists Collaborations & Exhibitions
  • Book Club: Science meets Society

Learn more

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