hot springs metagenomes and MAGs. hot springs metagenome

In this project we study microbial communities in hot spring microbial mats. Those purely microbial communities are characterized by relative simplicity, a rather low diversity of functional key-players, which makes them highly suitable models for studying ecological theories, community interactions and nutrient cycling. Further, phototrophic microbial mats are considered recent relatives of ancient microbial communities which formed fossil stromatolites. Understanding phototrophic mat building microbial communities will thus also help us to identify microbial fossils, teach us about evolution of life on Earth and assist us in the search for extraterrestrial life.