The aim of the Cluster of Excellence “Microbes-for-Climate” (M4C) is to generate the knowledge base for a future balanced carbon cycle. “M4C” is dedicated to microbes that are still actively shaping our world and the carbon cycle and that have the potential to enable new biotechnological solutions for the conversion of CO2.

M4C researchers elucidate the basic mechanisms of microbial contributions to climate change, reconstruct how these mechanisms have evolved over Earth’s history, and use synthetic biology to develop more efficient ways to sustainably convert the greenhouse gas CO2.

“M4C” is driven by Marburg University and the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology through two joint research centers, the Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and the Microcosm Earth Center. In addition, researchers from Giessen University and the University of Münster contribute to the cluster.

Involved Institutions:

• Justus Liebig University Giessen
• Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (MPIterMic)
• University of Münster