Exploration and exploitation of microbes
The Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research (WCMR) promotes research and education in the application of microbiological principles and techniques to address environmental, industrial, economic, and human health challenges.
Through the WCMR, members with diverse research interests and varying academic backgrounds come together to engage in collaborative research in which microbes, as part of aquatic, terrestrial, engineered and host-associated environments, are explored through:
- computational analysis of sequence data
- identification of constituent species
- annotation and identification of novel molecular activities
- development of synthetic biology applications
- engineering of microbial processes for industrial applications
- participation in international sharing
- standardization of big data
- understanding the role of microbes in society.
As a group, the Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research plans to unify, catalyze, and promote multidisciplinary research which explores and exploits microbes at the University of Waterloo. The WCMR also supports partnerships between students, researchers, and external partners through networking events, collaborative projects and science communication. As of 2017, the WCMR is an official centre of the University of Waterloo.
News
SynBio8.0
WCMR will host SynBio8.0 June 15-17, 2026 in the Pearl Sullivan Engineering Building (E7)
To register, to learn more about accommodations and to submit your research paper, please visit SynBio8.0. Abstract deadline is March 31, 2026.
Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering at the event.
WCMR Director Announcement
New Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research Director Announcement
Events
2026 Festive Microbes Contest
Festive Microbe Contest. Check website for further information.
WCMR hosts: Young Investigator Series
Abstract:
Life as we know it depends on liquid water. Recent evidence indicates that not only did ancient Mars once have a vast network of surface waters, but that liquid water potentially could persist in the Martian subsurface to this day. Study of analogue environments, or environments with environmental conditions similar to those on ancient or extant Mars, provides insights into the potential life forms that could exist in on Mars and other worlds. Lost Hammer Spring, located on Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian high Arctic, is one of the coldest and saltiest terrestrial springs discovered to date, the coldest known terrestrial methane seep, and a close analogue of putative Martian waters. It perennially discharges anoxic (<1 ppm dissolved oxygen), sub-zero (~−5 °C), and hypersaline (~24% salinity) brines from the subsurface through up to 600 m of permafrost. Using a multi-omics approach utilizing metagenome, metatranscriptome, and single-amplified genome sequencing, we revealed an active microbial community in the spring sediments utilizing primarily inorganic compounds (hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide) as energy and carbon sources, driven inpart by sulfide-oxidizing bacteriascavenging trace oxygen. These results demonstrated Mars-relevant metabolisms including sulfide oxidation, sulfate reduction, anaerobic oxidation of methane, and oxidation of trace gases (hydrogen, carbon monoxide) detected under anoxic, hypersaline, and sub-zero ambient conditions, providing evidence that similar extant microbial life could potentially survive in similar habitats on Mars.