Professor Laura Lehtovirta-Morley
Supervisor Details
Research Interests
We work on the interplay between the environment, ecology, physiology and process rates of ammonia oxidation. We focus on the molecular and physiological mechanisms that underpin the adaptation of ammonia oxidisers to their environment. We use both cultivation-independent and cultivation-dependent approaches, and much of our work focuses on our model organisms Nitrosocosmicus and Nitrosotalea, which are terrestrial ammonia oxidising archaea.
Most soils around the world are nitrogen limited and nitrogen fertiliser has to be added to the farmers’ fields to increase their crop yields. The problem with this is that up to 70% of nitrogen fertiliser is lost through the activity of ammonia oxidising archaea and bacteria and this has a negative effect on agriculture and contributes to climate change through the release of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. We study these ammonia oxidising microbes, which are among the most numerous living organisms on Earth and are found in diverse habitats such as soils, lakes, seas, manmade environments and even the human skin. In order to manage and balance nitrogen cycling in the environment, fundamental knowledge is required on the identity and function of the key microbes responsible.
Research Groups
MIBTP Project Details
Current Projects (2025-26)
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