Laura Hug
Biography
Research in the Hug lab seeks to define microbial diversity and function at contaminated sites (primarily municipal landfills). To that end, our lab sequences the total DNA, RNA, and protein (meta-omics) of a microbial community from a contaminated site to identify which species are there, and which pathways are active. We use enrichment culturing to explore microbial community interactions and to develop new bioremediation tools. The combination of genome-enabled metabolic modelling with tracking contaminant degradation in the laboratory clarifies how microbes are shaping the environment.
Beyond developing tools for environment remediation, the Hug lab examines essential questions in biology – how do organisms adapt to the harsh conditions at contaminated sites? How and when did the ability to degrade a man-made product evolve? In what ways are microbial communities more than the sum of their parts, and do these interactions drive global cycles?
Her research expands our understanding of the tree of life, while simultaneously developing solutions to address the impacts of human activities on the environment.