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.
To communicate some of our research to the public and younger scientists, we currently collaborate with the award-winning science author Ben Martynoga Link opens in a new windowand a local engineering company, Neave EngineeringLink opens in a new window, together with support and funding from the Warwick Institute of EngagementLink opens in a new window. This collaboration aims to use a purpose-built device, called “SymbioSphereLink opens in a new window", to allow engagement with microbial communities and their metabolic activities. SymbioSphere will allow people to directly observe how microbes - micron-sized organism, not visible by eye - can undertake collective actions to form microbial macrostructures. These macrostructures enable co-existence of many different microbes, the collective metabolic actions of which result in significant contribution to the Earth’s overall chemical makeup, shaping the atmosphere, the soil, and the oceans. Symbiosphere users will be able to collect time lapse images and chemical measurements to capture microbial ecosystem dynamics and metabolic activities, and share their results and understanding.
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. In 2025, we led the organisation of a workshop at the NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology (NITMB), who's aim is to integrate Maths and Biology by facilitating theorists and experimentalists to meet and interact. The workshop overview and recordings are available online via the NITMB webpage: Microbial Communities: Energetics and Dynamics Across Space and TimeLink opens in a new window.
Our Funders
News
SymbioSphere @ Big Bang Fair (June '26)
Orkun @ KITP (June '26)
If you'd like to learn about co-substrate based regulation of metabolism, Orkun's recent chalk talk at 'MicroEco26Link opens in a new window' is available to watch here.Link opens in a new window
SymbioSphere @ Resonate (May '26)
SymbioSphere'sLink opens in a new window debut engagement event was at Warwick's Resonate Summer Festival. With live cultures to observe under microscopes (and draw!), an interactive biodiversity game and our flagship SymbioSphere miniature ecosystem on display, it was great to see so many children (and adults) engaged with the world of microbes.
New bioRxiv Preprint (Apr '26)
NITMB Video Interview with Orkun (Jan'26)
New preprint on BioRxiv (Feb'26)
'Enrichment of convergent metabolic functions in microbial communities through imposed and emergent environmental niches'. Please visit bioRxivLink opens in a new window to have a read!
Visitor to OSS Lab (Feb'26)
OSS Lab are looking forward to hosting Shin HarutaLink opens in a new window from Tokyo Metropolitan University next month. Shin is a microbial ecologist studying the ecophysiological roles of microorganisms in the soil and the hydrosphere.
Follow OSS LabLink opens in a new window on X (formerly Twitter)