Geomicrobiology Laboratory

About the Lab

The geomicrobiological laboratory of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Potsdam is a fully equipped laboratory for both research in classical microbiology investigations (e.g. isolation and cultivation of bacteria and archaea, taxonomy and physiology) and culture-independent characterization of microbial communities. The main focus of our work lies on microorganisms (e.g. methanogenic archaea and methane oxidizing bacteria) involved in the carbon cycle in permafrost environments (Arctic and Antarctic).

The laboratory is part of the "Ground-based Facilities: Physics, Life and (Bio)Chemistry at Water/Solid Interfaces".

Facilities

• autoclave (Systec 3850 ELV)
• clean bench (Heraeus Hera Safe)
• glove box (dw scientific MAKS)
• incubators (Binder APT.Line KB, Braun Certomat BS-1, GFL 7601)
• gas chromatograph (Agilent 6890)
• centrifugation systems (Heraeus Biofuge Pico, Sigma 6K15)
• microscope (Zeiss Axioskope 2 Plus equipped with Zeiss AxioCam)
• photometer (Genesys 10UV scanning)
• UV lamp (Heraeus Nobelight, NN 8/15)
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR, Biorad iCycler)
• denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE, Biorad DCode)
• gel documentation system (Syngene Gene Flash)
• electrophoresis systems (Biorad, C.B.S. Scientific)
• rotary evaporator (Heidolph Laborota 4011 digital)

Experimental Set-Ups:

• fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH, CARD-FISH)
• anaerobic culture techniques (Hungate, Widdel)
• permafrost microcosm (simulation of freezing-thawing cycles)
• physiological stress experiments (temperature, salinity, radiation, desiccation)
• activity measurements (GC, SIP)

Contact: Dirk Wagner