Univ.-Prof. Dr. Holger Daims
Deputy Head of the Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science
Deputy Head of the Division of Microbial Ecology
☎ +43 1 4277 91204
✉ holger.daims@univie.ac.at
Our research focuses on microorganisms driving the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle, with particular emphasis on key players in the nitrification process: nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and complete ammonia oxidizers (comammox). Employing various molecular, 'omics', and microbial physiology techniques, we identify new nitrifying microbes and investigate the metabolism, ecophysiology, and evolution of these elusive organisms. Our objective is to gain a fundamental biological understanding of nitrification in natural and engineered ecosystems, which could also improve management practices in agriculture and wastewater treatment, and mitigate greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide) emissions.
Another area of interest are microbe-microbe interactions within complex microbiomes, such as biofilms in engineered and natural environments. Integrating 'omics', fluorescence and chemical imaging, and computational approaches, we pinpoint microbial partners and uncover their in situ interactions. Our aim is to reveal core principles of microbial interactions that govern the composition, spatial structuring, and functional adaptability of microbial communities.
Research Topics
Join the Team
If you are interested in joining our team, explore our open positions and learn more about available PhD and postdoc stipends here.
Teaching
To view Holger Daims' teaching activities at the University of Vienna, visit u:find.
Group Members
Publications
Bale, N. J., Fujimura, H.
, Pjevac, P., Koenen, M., Ikeda, H., Itagaki, S., Yamamoto, Y., Palmetzhofer, J., Sedlacek, C. J., Palabikyan, H., Sinninghe Damsté, J. S., Wagner, M., Shiigi, H.
, & Daims, H. (2025).
Unusual Plastoquinones in Non-Phototrophic Nitrifying Bacteria.
Environmental Microbiology Reports,
17(4), Article e70174.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.70174
Kop, L. F. M., Koch, H.
, Speth, D., Lüke, C., Spieck, E., Jetten, M. S. M.
, Daims, H., & Lücker, S. (2025).
Comparative genome analysis reveals broad phylogenetic and functional diversity within the order Nitrospirales.
ISME Journal,
19(1), Article wraf151.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wraf151
Liu, T., Duan, H., Lücker, S., Zheng, M.
, Daims, H., Yoan, Z., & Jianhua, G. (2024).
Sustainable wastewater management through nitrogen-cycling microorganisms.
Nature Water (Nat Water),
2(10), 936–952. Article 1836.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00307-5
Palatinszky, M., Herbold, C. W., Sedlacek, C. J., Pühringer, D.
, Kitzinger, K., Giguere, A. T., Wasmund, K., Nielsen, P. H., Dueholm, M. K. D., Jehmlich, N.
, Gruseck, R., Legin, A., Kostan, J., Krasnici, N., Schreiner, C., Palmetzhofer, J.
, Hofmann, T., Zumstein, M., Djinović-Carugo, K., ... Wagner, M. (2024).
Growth of complete ammonia oxidizers on guanidine.
Nature,
633(8030), 646-653.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07832-z
Bayer, B., Liu, S., Louie, K., Northen, T. R.
, Wagner, M., Daims, H., Carlson, C. A., & Santoro, A. E. (2024).
Metabolite release by nitrifiers facilitates metabolic interactions in the ocean.
The ISME Journal,
18(1), Article wrae172.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrae172
Glasl, B., Luter, H. M., Damjanovic, K.
, Kitzinger, K., Mueller, A. J., Mahler, L., Engelberts, J. P., Rix, L., Osvatic, J. T., Hausmann, B.
, Séneca, J., Daims, H., Pjevac, P., & Wagner, M. (2024).
Co-occurring nitrifying symbiont lineages are vertically inherited and widespread in marine sponges.
The ISME Journal,
18(1), Article wrae069.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrae069
