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Breadcrumb

  1. Research
  2. Scientific Discovery
  3. Biology
  4. Microbiome Science

Microbiome
Science

Confronting
complex mysteries

  • Chemical Biology
  • Ecosystem Science
  • Human Health
  • Integrative Omics
  • Microbiome Science
    • Biofuels & Bioproducts
    • Human Microbiome
    • Soil Microbiome
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Related Researchers

Photo of Kirsten Hofmockel

Kirsten Hofmockel

Senior Scientist, Biological Sciences Division
Scott Baker

Scott Baker

Research Line Manager

Soils, plant roots, skin, lungs, and the human gut—they all have a microbiome, the complex of microorganisms that supports life, confers immunity, and sometimes gives pathogens an edge. 

Microbes are everywhere—shaping how nutrients flow through the environment, how plants grow, and how people stay healthy. Though invisible to the naked eye, they play a foundational role in systems critical to the Department of Energy’s missions in ecosystem resilience, energy innovation, and national security.  

PNNL’s microbiome science research tries to understand and manipulate the functional architecture of communities of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea. These interactive organisms often perform little-understood services that profoundly shape the Earth and influence human health. PNNL scientists use multi-omics, molecular probes, and computational tools to better understand how these communities work and how to harness them for national benefit. 

PNNL researchers aim to predict how microbes are organized and interact in complex environments to help advance DOE's science mission. PNNL is uncovering interactions between genes, enzymes, and metabolites among microbial community members that affect plant growth and soil nutrient properties. PNNL is also uncovering how microbial communities can be shaped or engineered to support bioproduction, including fuel generation and upcycling of waste into valued chemicals.  

By identifying and shaping microbial functions, PNNL is helping advance energy solutions–this work contributes directly to U.S. energy security and the development of a world-leading bioeconomy. 

Through scalable tools and integrated analyses, PNNL is building the scientific foundation needed to anticipate microbial behavior across systems and design microbiome-based solutions that enhance energy innovation, environmental security, and human well-being. 

Top Stories

OCTOBER 17, 2024
News Release

Soils from Six Continents Add Up to Largest Database of Viruses Beneath Our Feet

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Emily Graham collecting soil as part of her work studying microbes in the soil.
APRIL 18, 2024
Staff Accomplishment

Three from PNNL Named AAAS Fellows

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Kirsten Hofmockel, Grant Johnson, and Sergei Kalinin.
DECEMBER 1, 2023
Staff Accomplishment

PNNL Researchers Land on 2023 Highly Cited List

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highly cited 2023
SEE MORE RELATED NEWS

Featured Research

AUGUST 20, 2024
Research Highlight

Evaluating Factors Shaping Grassland RNA Viral Communities

Read
an image of a grassland with illustrated insets showing enlarged examples of RNA viruses
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Research Highlight

New R Package Makes Disentangling the Components of Biogeochemical Fluxes Easier

Read
Diagram of soil releasing gas
FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Article

Meaningful Partnerships to Diversify Science

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PNNL-HBCU/MSI Climate Research Network map of research partners
SEE MORE RELATED HIGHLIGHTS

Facilities

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

Related Divisions

Biological Sciences Division
Environmental Molecular Sciences Division

Contact

Kitt Bagwell
Earth Scientist, Microbiome Science Team Lead
christopher.bagwell@pnnl.gov
(509) 375-3744

Lab-Level Communications Priority Topics

Biology

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