ACTIONr

This summer school aims to give an overview of how microbial networks contribute to the production of the GHG methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in terrestrial ecosystems by leading scientists in the field of environmental microbiology. In addition, we will explore how microbial metabolisms are affected by anthropogenic climate change, and the potential consequences and mitigation strategies of anthropogenic perturbations of biogeochemical cycles, with a focus on the non-CO2 greenhouse gases methane and CO2. Lectures will be accompanied by laboratory sessions where the participants will be taught state-of-the-art cultivation methods of key anaerobic and aerobic microbial lineages such as methanogens and nitrifiers, and get hands-on experience with bioreactors. Moreover, we will cover strategies for the characterization of microbial physiologies involved and methods to explore the interplay between the two biogeochemical cycles of methane and nitrogen.
The course will be held in English, starting on Monday 16.09 at 12:30, and ending on Friday 20.09 at 16:30.

Topics covered
• Greenhouse gases (GHG) and climate change
• Microbial metabolisms relevant to non-CO2 GHG production and sinks: methanogenesis, nitrification and methylotrophy
• Interplay between methane and nitrogen cycling
• Microbial physiologies, biogeochemical cycles, host-virus networks and GHG fluxes in rapidly warming ecosystems
• Mitigation of GHG emissions: The case of nitrification inhibitors

Research methods and skills covered
• Anaerobic cultivation methods (batch and bioreactor) with a focus on methanogens
• Cultivation of nitrifiers and inhibition profiles, methods for measuring activity and physiological characterization
• Measurement of the GHG gasses CH4 and N2O

Speakers/Tutors
• Prof. Lisa Stein, University of Alberta
• Prof. Stephan Glatzel, University of Vienna
• Prof. Christa Schleper, University of Vienna
• Prof. Dimitrios Karpouzas, University of Thessaly
• Prof. Graeme Nicol, CNRS Director of Research, École Centrale de Lyon
• Assistant Prof. Evangelia Papadopoulou, University of Thessaly
• Dr. Andrea Söllinger, University of Tromsø
• Dr. Christina Hazard, École Centrale de Lyon
• Dr. Henri Siljanen, University of Eastern Finland
• Dr. Logan Hodgskiss, University of Vienna
• Dr. Simon Rittmann, University of Vienna

Course leader

Prof. Christa Schleper

Target group

PhD students and junior postdocs with experience in aspects of environmental microbiology and ecology. Knowledge of microbial physiology concepts advantageous, but all participants are welcome. The course capacity is 12-15 participants. To apply, send a CV including a brief description of your current PhD topic and a short motivation statement by August 25th to Nathalia Jandl: nathalia.jandl@univie.ac.at.

Course aim

By the end of the course, participants will:
• Have acquired an understanding of the basic physiology of methanogens and nitrifiers
• Have acquired an understanding of how terrestrial biogeochemical cycling (with a focus on methane and nitrogen cycling) contributes to climate change but is also affected by warming
• Have acquired an understanding of GHG fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems
• Have learned the basics of anaerobic microbiology, working with bioreactors and analyzing data from continuous cultures in bioreactors
• Have learned how to cultivate nitrifiers, assess their activity and interpret inhibition profiles
• Have explored the strategic application of nitrification inhibitors as a method to mitigating nitrogen cycling, thereby enhancing their understanding of sustainable agricultural practices.