Laboratory of Anaerobic Microorganisms

Our laboratory is engaged in research in the field of anaerobic biotechnology. We have many years of experience in the collection, processing, preservation and cultivation of anaerobic microorganisms.

Analyses performed:

• Cultivation of anaerobic microorganisms.
• DNA isolation and sequencing based on 16S rRNA and functional genes. 
• Investigating the diversity, physiology and ecological roles of methanogens in different environments.
• Optimization of methanogenic growth conditions to increase biomethane production in different environments (biogas plants, salt caverns, underground gas storages).
• Investigation the potential of anaerobic environments (salt caverns, underground gas storages) for safe and efficient hydrogen storage.
• Assessing the role of methanogens in greenhouse gas emissions, with a particular focus on understanding factors affecting methane production and exploring mitigation strategies.
• Study of corrosion in anaerobic environment, identification of key microbes involved in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of steel and concrete, risk assessment of MIC formation.

• Developmnet of comprehensive bioremediation strategies that leverage both anaerobic and aerobic processes, aiming to enhance the efficiency of petroleum hydrocarbon removal from contaminated sites.

The main topics are:

Biomethane production and hydrogen storage in underground gas storage facilities

This technology offers the use of surplus electricity from renewable sources to produce hydrogen by electrolysis of water, which, together with carbon dioxide from anthropogenic sources, provides a substrate for methanogenic archaea. Underground gas reservoirs can be used as giant natural fermenters for the production of this "green" methane or as storage for hydrogen, which can later be distributed to customers through gas grids.
We have been working on this highly topical issue in collaboration with geochemists and engineers from RWE Gas Storage CZ, s.r.o., as well as colleagues from the Institute of Geological Sciences at the Faculty of Science.

We are evaluating the suitability of underground reservoirs for potential hydrogen storage in terms of microbial changes in this environment. We are collaborating with the Slovak company Nafta a.s. as part of the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) Hy2Tech project for hydrogen technologies from 2022.

Masaryk University delegated Assoc. Prof. Vítězová to the scientific committee of the "CO₂ Czech Solution Group", which deals with the topic of Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilisation (CCSU) - CO₂ capture and conversion - both from a scientific and economic point of view. Czech universities and representatives of industry are involved.

Microbially Influenced Corrosion

This phenomenon causes huge financial losses for gas pipeline operators and related technology. This type of corrosion has long been underestimated by operators and experts. Currently, an extensive screening for methanogenic archaea and sulphate-reducing bacteria is underway, which could play a crucial role in this field. Thanks to our equipment, we are able to model the storage and transport conditions of different fuels to assess the likelihood of corrosion. Using molecular biology methods, we are able to identify the predominant microorganisms in samples from corrosion-prone sites. In cooperation with experts from the Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science at Masaryk University and the Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Materials Science, we are able to describe the corrosion problem in great detail.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A very interesting area is the issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this area, we focus on reducing emissions of gases from agriculture and other biotechnologies. We take inspiration from nature and try to find and use substances that occur in nature and are produced by microorganisms, solutes, or higher animals, and use them appropriately to reduce the production of greenhouse gases.

Biogas Plants and Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment

In cooperation with operators of biogas plants and wastewater treatment plants, we are verifying the effectiveness of various technologies. We deal with the issue of biological desulphurisation of biogas and assessment of degradability of non-traditional feedstock of biogas plants and wastewater treatment plants.
Thanks to our partnership with agriKomp Bohemia s.r.o. we have access to a unique microBPS where we can conduct experiments on a semi-operational scale. Thanks to the cooperation with Brněnské vodárny a kanalizace, a.s., we have access to sampling and testing of aerobic and anaerobic sludge and to solving possible consequences of the operation of these technologies in case of fluctuations in the chemical composition of wastewater at the inflow (winter salting of roads, filling of mobile toilets, etc.).

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