Dr. Hanna Koch
Senior Scientist at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science
Nitrification is a crucial process for the removal of nitrogen from wastewater and drinking water. However, in agricultural systems, it can directly or indirectly contribute to nitrogen loss. To elucidate these microbial processes, Hanna’s research focuses on the physiology, genomics, and ecological distribution of the different nitrifying groups. She applies a combination of comparative genomics and targeted physiological assays to uncover novel functional traits and ecological niches of these microorganisms. A comprehensive understanding of these key nitrogen-transforming guilds is essential not only for optimizing biotechnological processes for nitrogen removal but also for developing strategies to mitigate nitrogen loss from soils and enhance sustainability in agroecosystems.
Publications
Koch H, Galushko A, Albertsen M, Schintlmeister A, Gruber-Dorninger C, Lücker S et al. Growth of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by aerobic hydrogen oxidation. Science. 2014 Aug 29;345(6200):1052-1054. doi: 10.1126/science.1256985
Lücker S, Wagner M, Maixner F, Pelletier E, Koch H, Vacherie B et al. A Nitrospira metagenome illuminates the physiology and evolution of globally important nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). 2010;107(30):13479-13484. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1003860107