The Environmental Biotechnology Lab

The Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel), led by Prof. Ariel Kushmaro, is a multidisciplinary research group integrating environmental microbiology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and applied environmental engineering. The laboratory adopts a holistic, systems-level approach to address complex environmental challenges through fundamental and applied research. The lab focuses on the study of microorganisms—including bacteria, fungi, and viruses—and their roles in natural and engineered environments. Key research areas include the biological degradation of environmental pollutants such as plastics, petroleum hydrocarbons, explosives, and industrial contaminants, as well as bioremediation of industrial wastewater and contaminated soils. The group also investigates microbial responses to emerging stressors, including artificial sweeteners, antibacterial compounds, and cigarette smoke residues, with particular attention to microbial interactions and biofilm formation. Research spans diverse ecosystems and applications, from sustainability and climate-change–related processes to the preservation of cultural heritage sites. By combining classical microbiological methods with advanced genomic, bioinformatic, and systems biology approaches, the laboratory seeks to understand microbial function, adaptation, and resilience. Through interdisciplinary and industry collaborations, these insights are translated into innovative, scalable biotechnological solutions that promote environmental sustainability and ecosystem health.