Microorganisms perform and control practically all processes involved in
the global biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and affect the sustainability of all ecosystems on Earth.
The soil is composed of an enormous and complex diversity of microbial populations – the microbiome.

This microbiome influences the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the soil, interacting with and influencing other soil "higher" organisms and the plants. 
As these interactions with the environment may be positive or negative, our understanding, followed by the ability to influence in a positive manner these interactions, are of crucial importance to mankind. This is essentially important in the agricultural arena, which needs to provide high-quality food for the growing world population, without detrimental effects on the environment.
 

Our studies focus mainly on soil and rhizosphere microbiome, including plant-microbe interactions during plant growth in health and disease.