Meet the group!
Prof. Rolf KümmerliI’m an evolutionary biologist, fascinated by the small world of bacteria. But this was not how it all started. I initially studied anthropology at the University of Zurich, and earned my PhD at the University of Lausanne, working on social conflicts in ant colonies. As my career progressed, my study organisms became smaller. During my post-doctoral time (at the University of Edinburgh and ETH Zurich), I transformed from a behavioural ecologists into an evolutionary microbiologist, studying social interactions in bacteria. Currently, I’m heading the Microbial Evolutionary Ecology research group, as a SNSF Professor and ERC Consolidator Grant awardee, at the University of Zurich.
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As project leader of PyoBeta, my research focuses on developing a new class of antimicrobials based on pyoverdines, natural iron-chelating molecules produced by Pseudomonas. By engineering and chemically modifying these compounds, I aim to develop targeted therapeutics that deprive antibiotic-resistant pathogens of iron and thereby inhibit their growth.
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With a long history of studying microbial interactions, I am looking forward to building on work that investigates competitive and mutualistic interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other opportunistic pathogens. Tying together my interests in microbial evolution, microscopy, molecular genetics, and ecology, my work here will hopefully shed light on questions such as: what do populations stand to gain or lose when they adapt to other microbes in their shared environment and what implications do these patterns have for how we address polymicrobial infections and communities? When not in the lab I enjoy hiking, cooking (and eating), and horseback riding.
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My work focuses on developing an innovative experimental platform that improves how complex biological interactions are studied. I combine expertise in microbiology, infection biology, and engineering to investigate interactions between microorganisms, mammalian cells, and organoids in physiologically relevant yet scalable in vitro models. My research builds on my PhD, where I investigated how interaction networks among cystic fibrosis lung pathogens evolve over time using clinical isolates, experimental evolution, and multi-omics approaches. I am translating this technology into a product through the development of a modular co-culture platform as part of my startup Versarys Bioscience.
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I am a molecular biologist with a focus on the challenges of global health and bacterial infections. In the Kümmerli Lab, my role is to bridge the gap between bacterial genetics and biochemical synthesis. Our goal is to engineer the iron-chelating molecules produced by Pseudomonas and transform them into novel antimicrobials against pathogens of critical concern. Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring the Alps on foot, on ropes, or on skis. Naturally, after a good adventure I like to refuel with good food.
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I work on the evolution of pathogen-pathogen interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, which are often found together in infections. I also study within host adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within acute burn wound infections. I use a combination of population biology, genomics, high throughput phenotypic screening, and immunology as core parts of my projects. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, going to the gym, running and spending time with my friends.
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My research explores the hidden interactions between bacteria: how they interact and modulate the immune system during infection. Using the zebrafish as a transparent host, I visualize these microbial dynamics in real time to uncover why polymicrobial infections are so resilient to antibiotics. Outside the microscope, I recharge by hiking with my dog or painting.
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During my PhD in the Kümmerli group, I study the bacterial interactions ruling bacterial communities. Specifically, I work with Pseudomonas directly isolated from the environment. From direct competitions through the Type 6 Secretion System up to metabolic interaction and cross-feeding network, my goal is to explore the traits that dictate the assembly and the stability of those bacterial communities. Are competition and predation the major traits driving the assembly of bacterial communities or is it cooperation that could emerge through the secretion of public goods molecules or cross-feeding interactions? Outside of lab-work, I really enjoy sports like bouldering, running, hiking and much more!
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I study microbe–microbe interactions at the single-cell level. I am particularly interested in using state-of-the-art equipment such as high-resolution microscopy and microfluidic devices to investigate how cells behave individually and how they coordinate at the community level. By combining wet-lab experiments with computational approaches for microscopic image analysis, I aim to visualize and decipher cell–cell interactions with high resolution. Besides work, I enjoy hiking, playing badminton and padel. I am also a beginner of skiing and bouldering.
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I’m a microbiologist and graduated from ETH Zurich, where I investigated the influence of the gut microbiota on urea cycle disorders during my master’s thesis. I later worked on phage therapy for chronic urinary tract infections at the University Hospital Balgrist and have since been passionate about tackling the antibiotic resistance crisis. My project investigates the antimicrobial potential of siderophores — iron-chelating molecules produced by bacteria — by testing whether natural siderophores from environmental Pseudomonas isolates can induce iron starvation in clinical pathogens under both laboratory and in vivo conditions. In my spare time I enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and surfing.
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I study interactions between natural plasmids, focusing on how competition between plasmids contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacterales. My work also involves studies of novel type IV-A3 CRISPR-Cas systems involved in inter-plasmid competition. Since the molecular mechanisms behind these systems are still poorly understood, I aim to identify the factors that regulate their activity by combining high-throughput screening, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Outside the lab, I enjoy baking, hiking and taking care of my small balcony garden.
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I hold a Master’s degree in Infectiology from Paris-Diderot University, and worked 10 years as a technician in enzymology/structural biology (CNRS France) and molecular biology (ETH Zürich) before joining the Kuemmerli group in 2019. I was happy to come back to my roots: Microbiology, as I’ve always been fascinated by bacteria. I really enjoy supporting the different projects in our group, and to help address important issues, like the growing global threat of multi-drug resistance. Outside the lab, I spend all my time with my little family and my friends. Most of summer weekends are spent bathing in local lakes and most of winter weekends are spent exploring local mountains or natural parks. Switzerland has so much to offer for nature lovers.
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I studied Computer Science at ETH Zurich, majoring in Machine Intelligence with a minor in Theoretical Computer Science. During my master's thesis, I worked on protein fitness optimization with generative models. Currently, I am working on peptide-effect prediction on pathogens and algorithmic peptide-structure elucidation from mass spectrometry data.
Outside of work, I love doing all sorts of activities such as salsa, volleyball, running and surfing. |
Former Lab Members
Postdocs:
Adin Ross-Gillespie (Project Manager @ Merck Group)
Santosh Sathe (Postdoc @ University of Konstanz)
Özhan Özkaya (associate relationship manager @ LifeSci advisors)
Jos Kramer (Postdoc @ ETH Zürich)
Richard Allen (Biostatistician @ University Hospital Basel)
Clementine Laffont
Meghna Swayambhu
Ph.D. Students:
Elisa Granato (BBSRC Discovery Fellow @ University of Oxford)
Michael Weigert (Technical Trainer @ Weiss Technik)
Anne Leinweber (Manager of Quality Control @ Hain Lifescience GmbH)
Elena (Butaite) Baumgartner (Data Manager @ Universitätsspital Zürich)
Chiara Rezzoagli (Sterility Assurance Project Leader @ Sintetica SA)
Alex Figueiredo (Postdoc @ University of Oxford)
Selina Niggli (Scientific Officer @ Swiss National Science Foundation)
Priya Jayakumar (Scientist @ Cytometry Facility UZH)
Subham Mridha (Postdoctoral Research Associate @ University of Zurich)
Désirée Schmitz (SNSF Mobility PostDoc @ Harvard University)
Zhenhe Xu (Visiting PhD student from China)
M.Sc. Students:
David Wilson (Research Associate @ Redbiotec AG)
Martina Archetti (Intern in Affiliate Marketing Programs @ Roche)
Nadine Koch (Regulatory Affairs Specialist @ Smith & Nephew)
Lorenzo Alimonti (GMP Technological Development Department Operator @ Istituto Biochimico Italiano G. Lorenzini)
Johanna Giger (Laboratory Technician, Molecular Diagnostics @ Biolytix AG)
Flavie Roncoroni (Microbiologist technician @ Givaudan)
Ove Mattmann (Founder of Fungi4Future)
Maria Muscalu (Intern @ Roche)
Roger Kuratli (Lab technician @ Group Hale UZH)
Joel Frommenwiler (Lab technician @ Group Marcel van der Heijden UZH
Daniele Persi (Microbiologist @ Johnson & Johnson)
Serena Provveduto (Lab technician @ Kuemmerli lab-formerly)
Maksym Yermolaiev
Romina Steiger
