Welcome to the OSS Lab

Research

Headed by Orkun S. SoyerLink opens in a new window, the current focus of the OSS lab is to develop a quantitative understanding of cellular metabolism and metabolic interactions among species. On the former topic, we develop theoretical 'toy' models of key motifs in cell metabolism and conduct experimental analyses on single cell physiology in yeast and mammalian cells. On the latter topic, we create model ('synthetic') microbial communities and study species co-existence and interactions in these. These efforts currently focus on a 15-species cyanobacterial microbial community that develops extensive spatial organisation. For additional information please see our ResearchLink opens in a new window, PublicationsLink opens in a new window, and Pre-PrintsLink opens in a new window pages. You can access software and code developed by our team from our GitHubLink opens in a new window page and experimental protocols from our Protocols.ioLink opens in a new window page.

Teaching and Outreach

We are currently involved in undergraduate teaching with taught modules focussing on 'Dynamics of Cellular Systems' (LF305) and 'Synthetic Biology' (LF306). We have also contributed to an open book project on Economic Principles in Cell BiologyLink opens in a new window with a chapter focusing on 'Dynamics of Cellular Metabolism'. We occasionally participate in Outreach activities, including an interviewLink opens in a new window with the Microbiology Society and a recent collaborative project involving artistic expressions to communicate our research into cyanobacterial communities - see details. Soyer is also interested in interfaces with social sciences and was a visiting fellow at the 'Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin', focusing on a project on metabolismLink opens in a new window.

Collaborative Initiatives

We are founding members of the Warwick Bio-Electrical Engineering Innovation Hub (BEE)Link opens in a new window and Warwick Aquatic Monitoring Station (WAMOS)Link opens in a new window. We have also led previous collaborative projects on anaerobic microbial communities focusing on Engineering Synthetic Microbial Communities for Biomethane ProductionLink opens in a new window and temporal metagenomics of AD reactors: Monitoring UK Anaerobic Digestion MicrobiomesLink opens in a new window. In 2014 and 2022, we led the development of two residential meetings at the Isaac Newton Institute focusing on microbial communities. The full program and selected talks from these two meetings are available online at the INI website: 2014 Microbial CommunitiesLink opens in a new window and 2022 Microbial CommunitiesLink opens in a new window.

News

eLife publication (Sept '24)

Visit eLifeLink opens in a new window to read our latest publication: 'Cellular coordination underpins rapid reversals in gliding filamentous cyanobacteria and its loss results in plectonemes'

IMEDEA collaboration (Sept '24)

OSS lab visit Marco Polin's group at IMEDEALink opens in a new window to study cyanobacterial communites found in the Balearics!

PhD research publication success (Sep 2024)

Luke's paper 'Ammonia leakage can underpin nitrogen-sharing among soil microorganismsLink opens in a new window' has been accepted for publication by The ISME Journal. What a fantastic achievement from an excellent PhD student.

New Post-docs (August 2024)

Welcome to OSS Lab, Rebecca and Alberto!

Public lecture (June 2024)

Orkun delivers public lecture at MiBiNeXtLink opens in a new window – a PhD program focussed on synthetic microbial communities and their applications in biotechnology

Congratulations (June 2024)

Congrats to Sarah, Luke, and Tailise, who are embarking on their next academic career steps with new research

see more news items

Follow OSS LabLink opens in a new window on X (formerly Twitter)