We study microbial communities by thinking about their ecology and evolution. Our model system is mainly the human gut microbiome.
Microbes commonly live in communities, microbiomes, that can be diverse and variable. We are interested in what drives the success of an incoming species, whether a pathogen or a beneficial microbe.
Interactions between microbes are diverse, ranging from cross-feeding to killing with deadly microbial weapons. Our goal is to study these interactions to design strategies to edit the composition of microbiomes.
Antibiotic resistance is a global health concern. We are interested in both how antibiotic resistance evolves, and designing treatments to synergize with antibiotics or even replace them.
Some bacteria can cause disease but often only in certain contexts. We are interested in understanding how a microbiome influences the onset of disease, and how this affects pathogen evolution.
The Bakkeren Lab, started in September 2025, is based at the University of Calgary, Canada. It’s a stone’s throw from the beautiful Rocky Mountains.
Read our papers, meet our team, and reach out if you are interested in joining us.
The Bakkeren Lab 