MISSION: study and management of microbial communities to ensure the favorable functioning of soils, ecosystems and biosphere.

 
Selected BSc courses for soil scientists (in Russian):
- The structure, development and taxonomy of bacteria
- Biochemistry of soil microorganisms
- The structure, development and taxonomy of fungi
- The structure, development and taxonomy of yeasts
- Physiology of microorganisms
- Molecular biological methods in soil science
- Dynamics of microbial populations
 
Selected BSc courses for ecologists (in Russian):

- Ecology of bacteria
- Environmental biochemistry
- Ecology of fungi
- Ecology of yeasts
- Ecophysiology of soil organisms
- Molecular biological methods in ecology
- Biological environmental control
- Environmental microbiology
 
Selected MSc courses for soil scientists (in Russian):
- Genetics of microorganisms
- Fundamentals of Virology
- Soil biotechnology
- Geochemical activity of microorganisms
- Zoomicrobial interactions in soil and associated habitats
- Isotope methods in soil microbiology
- Microbial transformation of nitrogen
 
Selected MSc courses for ecologists (in Russian):
- Geoecology of microorganisms
- Metabolic activity of soil ecosystems
- The role of microorganisms in global biospheric processes
- Modern methods of ecosystem monitoring
- Environmental biotechnology
 

Research topics funded by grants:

  • Molecular analysis of nitrogen cycle microorganisms in oil-contaminated soils and application its potential for bioremediation (2019-2021)
  • Endophytic yeasts of agricultural plants, the distribution and role in plant protection (2019-2022)
  • Adaptation and Implementation of the Modern Molecular Biology Technologies in the Agriculture and Wastewater Treatment of ASEAN Countries and Russia (2020-2022)
  • New microbial nitrogen fixation loci associated with soil invertebrates (2016-2018)
  • Scientific basis of the national biobank - depository of the living systems (2015-2018)
  • Anaerobic oxidation of ammonium as a source of nitrogen-containing greenhouse gases in soils (2014-2016)

History and Traditions

The department of soil biology has been created in 1953. The first chief of the department was an outstanding microbiologist, corresponding member of AS N.A.Krasilnikov. In 1973-2009 professor D.G.Zvyagintsev headed the department. The chief of the department in 2009-2015 was I.Yu.Chernov, corresponding member of AS and prominent microbial ecologist. The department is now managed by a professor A.L.Stepanov, who contributed to the study of the role of soil microorganisms in the atmospheric balance of greenhouse gases.

 

Contacts and main research areas:

  • Prof. A.L. Stepanov - Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. - microbial contribution to nitrogen and carbon cycles, greenhouse gases.
  • Prof. P.A. Kozhevin - Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. - dynamics of microbial populations, biological environmental control.
  • Prof. L.V. Lysak - Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. - soil bacteriology.
  • Prof. N.A. Manucharova - Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. - molecular biological methods in soil science and ecology, bioremediation.
  • Dr. N.V. Kostina - Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. - microbial transformation of nitrogen, geochemical activity of microorganisms.
  • Dr. E.A. Vorobieva - Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. - microorganisms of extreme habitats, astrobiological issues.
  • Dr. A.E. Ivanova - Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. - soil mycology.
  • Dr. A.V. Kachalkin - Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. - investigation of soil yeasts.