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

New paper on BioRxiv (Apr '24)

Visiting Artist (Feb '24)

We are excited to host Benjamin Nash, artist in residence, who will help us artistically communicate our research findings, on emergent behaviours observed in our cyanobacterial microbial community, to the public!

New paper on BioRxiv (Feb '24)

Cellular (de)coordination in gliding motility and plectoneme formation. Check it out here.

Invited speaker (Jan '24)

Orkun to speak at the first UK meeting on filamentsLink opens in a new window, organised by Kirsty Wan and Bertram Daum.

Emily’s publication, on a mitochondrial membrane potential indicating dye, is the chosen cover image for 13^th Dec issue of Biophysical ReportsLink opens in a new window. See here for image details.

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