Education 1989 Diploma, (Microbiology) University of Marburg 1992 Ph.D., (Microbiology) University of Marburg 1994 - 1996 Postdoc, University of CA, Berkeley, USA 7/2001 Habilitation (Microbiology) University of Göttingen Academic Positions 1996 - 2004 Univ. of Göttingen, Dep. of Microb. & Gen. 2004 - today Univ. of Kiel, Dep. of Microbiology

Our main research interests are to understand (i) regulation of nitrogen metabolism on the molecular level in Prokarya (Bacteria and Archaea), (ii) the marine nitrogen cycle, (iii) the interaction of Archaea with the human innate immune system and biofilm formation on living and non-living surfaces. Aiming to identify novel enzymes and drugs from marine environments we are further mining for novel genes by metagenomic approaches for potential biotechnological and medical use. The department provides an interactive and interdisciplinary working environment, in which we work on different scientific questions and aspects in close collaboration with other institutes in Kiel and Germany applying sophisticated and state-of-the-art technologies. Our teaching activities include Bachelor moduls (e.g. physiology and regulation in microorganisms, genetics and molecular techniques) and Master moduls (e.g. microbial diversity studies, microbial stress response and biotechnological aspects using state-of-the-art methods). Within the integrated school of ocean science (ISOS) we train Phd students interdisciplinary in several molecular aspects of marine sciences. Our department is a member of the Excellence Cluster Future Ocean, the DFG priority programme SPP 1258 on Prokaryotic regulatory RNAs, the DFG ‘Forschergruppe’ on the Prokaryotic immune system CRISPR (FOR1680) and SFB754 on Climate - Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean.