OSS Lab
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.
Our Funders
News
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
Visitor to OSS Lab (June 2024)
OSS Lab hosts Akshit Goyal Link opens in a new windowfrom ICTS as part of a BBSRC internationalisation award. During Akshit’s 1-week visit, we havel also organised a mini workshop with Wenying ShouLink opens in a new window, Arvind MuruganLink opens in a new window, Kabir Husain,Link opens in a new window and Samraat PawarLink opens in a new window
Congratulations (May 2024)
Well done to Kelsey who has been awarded the runner-up prize for best ECR talk at the 'Microscale Ocean Biophysics' meeting, Heron Island, Australia!
New paper on BioRxiv (Apr '24)
Ammonia leakage can underpin nitrogen-sharing among soil microbes - read more hereFollow OSS LabLink opens in a new window on X (formerly Twitter)