Unveiling the Microbial Dark Matter via Genome Editing

By combining discovery-driven microbiology with synthetic biology, we reveal the secrets of non-model microbes and transform them into platforms for innovation

Our Story

Only a small fraction of microbes is culturable, genetically accessible, and used in industrial applications.

This limitation defines the microbial dark matter: a vast and largely underexplored reservoir of (micro-)biological knowledge.

The Patinios Lab aims to change this paradigm by making every microbe genetically accessible for systematic interrogation at single-gene resolution.

To achieve this, our lab develops novel genome editing tools that are broadly applicable, efficient, and minimally invasive across diverse microbial species.

By extending genome editing beyond model organisms, we transform the microbial dark matter into a source of biological discovery and translational biotechnology.

Current Research Focus

Genome Editing Tools

We develop simple, efficient and broadly applicable genome editing tools to edit the genome of microorganisms

Phage Therapeutics

We engineer bacteriophages to combat clinically relevant antimicrobial-resistant pathogens

Bacterial Defense Systems

We use high-throughput in vitro translation-transcription systems to characterize and repurpose novel bacterial defense systems

Our Collaboration Network

Let’s Co-Create Impactful Science