Microbes have a major effect on the ecosystem and humans. Microbes run biogeochemical cycles of the elements, play a major role in the intestines of animals and biotechnology such as waste water treatment and food production, just to mention some. On the other hand, microbes cause diseases for plants, animals and humans.

The Doctoral Programme in Microbiology and Biotechnology covers the entire field of microbiology, i.e., bacteria, archaea, eukaryotic microorganisms and viruses in any environment where microbes can be found. In addition to basic research in microbiology, it includes applied microbiology which is reflected by including microbiologically relevant biotechnology in the program.

Focus area of the program include:

• environmental microbiology
• microbial biotechnology
• genetics and genomics of microbes
• food microbiology
• human and animal microbiota
• microbe evolution
• microbe-host interactions
• infection microbiology
• virology

The researcher community formed around the program is nationally the most significant unit in its field and the only one in Finland in several sub-fields.

The Faculty of Agriculture & Forestry has main responsibility for the programme.