Our research focus

The Cosmidis Microbe-Mineral lab is part of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford.

Our research focuses on microbial biomineralization, the process through which microbes produce minerals. 

​Biomineralization is a fascinating testimony of life’s capacity to shape the inorganic world. Biominerals often possess unique properties such as original morphologies, out-of-equilibrium composions and structures, and intimate association with organic matrices. These properties control the reactivity and bioavailability of biominerals in the environment, and determine their roles in biogeochemical cycles. Due to their original properties, microbial biominerals can also be used as biosignatures for the search of early life on Earth, and have been proposed as targets for astrobiological exploration on other planets. Our main goal is to decipher the molecular-level mechanisms of microbial biomineralization, with a focus on the organic-mineral interactions that confer biominerals their special properties. For this, we are developing and implementing new high-throughput in-situ methodologies for the characterisation of biominerals, combining lab automation, imaging, spectroscopy, and Machine Learning.

In addition to their important role in biogeochemical cycles and value in palaeobiological investigations, microbial “biomineral factories” can be used to manufacture high-value materials for technological applications. We are developing novel microbial processes for the bioproduction of mineral materials (e.g. for carbon or energy storage). 

Microbes are natural mineral engineers. By discovering how microbes control mineral formation, we can better understand microbial roles in environmental processes. We can also use microbial biomineralization mechanisms to our advantage, to biomanufacture new mineral materials.

Contact us.

Department of Earth Sciences
South Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3AN
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1865 272012
Email: [email protected] 

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