Participant of COCARDE Network

Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent Universitylabmetlogo

The Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET) is a part of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University. LabMET is specialized in the study and application of mixed microbial cultures or communities. A microbial community consists of several populations which each represent a functional biological entity and thus a diverse metabolic capacity. The assemblage of these biological entities represents - when properly organised - a powerful resource. LabMET focuses on the optimal management of these microbial resources (Microbial Resource Management, MRM) enabling us to develop novel products and processes to improve our environment or human health in the most sustainable way. More specifically, LabMET applies this approach in the fields of applied microbial ecology, functional food and feed, medical microbial ecology, risk assessment, biomaterials and nanotechnology, water treatment, aquaculture, bio-energy, and soils and sediments.

 

The LabMET research group comprises a staff of about 35 academics and is part of the Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology of the Ghent University. On this website you will find all information on LabMET research, education and services. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Fields of research:

  • Applied microbial ecology
  • Functional food and feed
  • Medical microbial ecology
  • Risk assessment
  • Biomaterials/nanotechnology
  • Water treatment
  • Aquaculture
  • Soils and sediments
  • Bio-energy

 

Facilities

  • Microbiological analyses: conventional and molecular methods:
 
  • Light microscopy
  • Epifluorescence microscopy (Zeis & polyvar)
  • Growth kinetics
  • Microbiological isolations and enrichments
  • Metabolic activity
  • Bioassays
  • Biodegradation assays
  • DNA & RNA extractions
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
  • Real-Time PCR (abi prism 7000)
  • Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) with gel analysis software (BioNumerics)
  • Cloning/sequencing
  • Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH)
  • Fluorescent staining of DNA and extracellular polymeric substances
  • Flow cytometry (Dakocytomation CyAn adp)
  • Pippeting robot (Biorobot 3000)

 

Reactor technology:

  • Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) for in-vitro tests of prebiotics, probiotics, functional food and additives
  • Activated sludge systems for conventional wastewater treatment
  • Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactors and other reactor types for anaerobic digestion
  • Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC)
  • Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MEC)
  • Membrane reactors (nano-palladium, nano-silver)
  • Rotating biological contactors (RBC) for partial nitritiation/anammox (OLAND)
  • Sequencing batch reactors (SBR) for partial nitritiation/anammox (OLAND)
  • Dialysis reactors
  • Biostat continous stirred tank reactors (CSTR)
  • High pressure reactor to simulate deep-sea conditions

 

Physico–chemical analyses:

  • Gas chromatography (GC)
  • Varian GC FID use determination of chlorinated solvents, VOC’s
  • Varian GC ECD use determination of lindane and pcb’s
  • Shimadsu GC 2014 FID + autosampler: use determination of VFA’s
  • Shimadsu GC for biogas: use determination of CH4 CO2 & N2O
  • Intersciene Compact GC (soon)
  • High Pressure Liquid Chromatography HPLC (UV and Fluorescence detector)(Dionex) for analysis of Pharmaseuticals, pesticides organic choride contaminations
  • Ion chromatography for anions (761. Metrohm compact IC)(e.g. nitrate, nitrite, chloride, phosphate,…)
  • Ion chromatography for cations (e.g. ammonium,…) , sugars (Dionex)
  • UV-VIS Spectrophotometry for colorimetric determination of ammonium, phosphate, nitrite, nitrate,…
  • Atom Absorption Spectrometry for analysis of Ag, Mn, Fe, Ni, Au, Pd, Co, Cu, Zn, Ca
  • Biological oxygen demand (BOD)
  • Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
  • Furnaces and centrifuges for determination of total and volatile suspended solids (TSS & VSS)
  • Steam distillation units and heating blocks for determination of ammonium, nitrite+nitrate, Kjeldahl nitrogen
  • Galvanic, polarographic and luminescent probes for dissolved oxygen (DO) determination
  • Probes for pH, conductivity and temperature measurements

 

People

Nico_Boon

Prof. Dr.
Nico Boon

Tom_van_de_Wiele

Prof. Dr.
Tom Van de Wiele

Willy_Verstraete

Prof. Dr.
Willy Verstraete

 

 

Related Publications
In Press

Maignien, L., D. Depreiter, A. Foubert, J. Reveillaud, L. De Mol, P. Boeckx, D. Blamart, J. P. Henriet, and N. Boon. In press. Anaerobic oxidation of methane in a cold-water coral carbonate mound from the Gulf of Cadiz. International Journal of Earth Sciences.

Zhang, L., B. De Gusseme, L. Cai, P. D. Schryver, M. Marzorati, N. Boon, P. Lens, and W. Verstraete. In press. Addition of an aerated iron-rich waste-activated sludge to control the soluble sulphide concentration in sewage. Water and Environment Journal.

2010

Baert, L., B. De Gusseme, N. Boon, W. Verstraete, J. Debevere, and M. Uyttendaele. 2010. Inactivation of Murine Norovirus 1 and Bacteroides fragilis Phage B40-8 by Mesophilic and Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Pig Slurry. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76:2013-2017.

Cave, M. R., J. Wragg, I. Harrison, C. H. Vane, T. Van de Wiele, E. De Groeve, C. P. Nathanail, M. Ashmore, R. Thomas, J. Robinson, and P. Daly. 2010. Comparison of Batch Mode and Dynamic Physiologically Based Bioaccessibility Tests for PAHs in Soil Samples. Environmental Science & Technology 44:2654-2660.

De Gusseme, B., L. Sintubin, L. Baert, E. Thibo, T. Hennebel, G. Vermeulen, M. Uyttendaele, W. Verstraete, and N. Boon. 2010. Biogenic Silver for Disinfection of Water Contaminated with Viruses. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76:1082-1087.

De Muynck, W., N. De Belie, and W. Verstraete. 2010. Microbial carbonate precipitation in construction materials: A review. Ecological Engineering 36:118-136.

De Muynck, W., N. De Belie, and W. Verstraete. 2010. Microbial carbonate precipitation in construction materials: A review. Ecological Engineering 36:118-136.

De Muynck, W., N. De Belie, and W. Verstraete. 2010. Antimicrobial mortar surfaces for the improvement of hygienic conditions. Journal of Applied Microbiology 108:62-72.

De Muynck, W., K. Verbeken, N. De Belie, and W. Verstraete. 2010. Influence of urea and calcium dosage on the effectiveness of bacterially induced carbonate precipitation on limestone. Ecological Engineering 36:99-111.

De Schamphelaire, L., A. Cabezas, M. Marzorati, M. W. Friedrich, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2010. Microbial Community Analysis of Anodes from Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells Powered by Rhizodeposits of Living Rice Plants. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76:2002-2008.

Defoirdt, T., H. A. D. Ruwandeepika, I. Karunasagar, N. Boon, and P. Bossier. 2010. Quorum sensing negatively regulates chitinase in Vibrio harveyi. Environmental Microbiology Reports 2:44-49.

Defoirdt, T., H. A. D. Ruwandeepika, I. Karunasagar, N. Boon, and P. Bossier. 2010. Quorum sensing negatively regulates chitinase in Vibrio harveyi. Environmental Microbiology Reports 2:44-49.

Diaz-Bone, R. A., and T. Van de Wiele. 2010. Biotransformation of metal(loid)s by intestinal microorganisms. Pure and Applied Chemistry 82:409-427.

Freguia, S., E. H. Teh, N. Boon, K. M. Leung, J. Keller, and K. Rabaey. 2010. Microbial fuel cells operating on mixed fatty acids Bioresource Technology 101:1233-1238.

Hennebel, T., S. De Corte, L. Vanhaecke, K. Vanherck, I. Forrez, B. De Gusseme, P. Verhagen, K. Verbeken, B. Van der Bruggen, I. Vankelecom, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2010. Removal of diatrizoate with catalytically active membranes incorporating microbially produced palladium nanoparticles. Water Research 44:1498-1506.

Marzorati, M., A. Balloi, F. de Ferra, L. Corallo, G. Carpani, L. Wittebolle, W. Verstraete, and D. Daffonchio. 2010. Bacterial diversity and reductive dehalogenase redundancy in a 1,2-dichloroethane-degrading bacterial consortium enriched from a contaminated aquifer. Microbial Cell Factories 9:9.

Mendoza, L., W. Verstraete, and M. Carballa. 2010. Treatment of Sanitary Landfill Leachates in a Lab-Scale Gradual Concentric Chamber (GCC) Reactor. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 160:1822-1832.

Van Immerseel, F., R. Ducatelle, M. De Vos, N. Boon, T. Van De Wiele, K. Verbeke, P. Rutgeerts, B. Sas, P. Louis, and H. J. Flint. 2010. Butyric acid-producing anaerobic bacteria as a novel probiotic treatment approach for inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Medical Microbiology 59:141-143.

Van Immerseel, F., R. Ducatelle, M. De Vos, N. Boon, T. Van De Wiele, K. Verbeke, P. Rutgeerts, B. Sass, P. Louis, and H. J. Flint. 2010. Butyric acid-producing anaerobic bacteria as a novel probiotic treatment approach for inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Medical Microbiology 59:141-143.

Van Tittelboom, K., N. De Belie, W. De Muynck, and W. Verstraete. 2010. Use of bacteria to repair cracks in concrete. Cement and Concrete Research 40:157-166.

Vlaeminck, S. E., A. Terada, B. F. Smets, H. De Clippeleir, T. Schaubroeck, S. Bolca, L. Demeestere, J. Mast, N. Boon, M. Carballa, and W. Verstraete. 2010. Aggregate Size and Architecture Determine Microbial Activity Balance for One-Stage Partial Nitritation and Anammox. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76:900-909.

Yu, Y. X., J. L. Li, X. Y. Zhang, Z. Q. Yu, T. Van de Wiele, S. Y. Han, M. H. Wu, G. Y. Sheng, and J. M. Fu. 2010. Assessment of the Bioaccessibility of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Foods and the Correlations of the Bioaccessibility with Nutrient Contents. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 58:301-308.

Zhang, Y., J. P. Henriet, J. Bursens, and N. Boon. 2010. Stimulation of in vitro anaerobic oxidation of methane rate in a continuous high-pressure bioreactor. Bioresource Technology 101:3132-3138.

2009

Aelterman, P., M. Versichele, E. Genettello, K. Verbeken, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Microbial fuel cells operated with iron-chelated air cathodes. Electrochimica Acta 54:5754-5760.

Baruah, K., D. T. V. Cam, K. Dierckens, M. Wille, T. Defoirdt, P. Sorgeloos, and P. Bossier. 2009. In vivo effects of single or combined N-acyl homoserine lactone quorum sensing signals on the performance of Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae. Aquaculture 288:233-238.

Boeckaert, C., D. P. Morgavi, J.-P. Jouany, L. Maignien, N. Boon, and V. Fievez. 2009. Role of the protozoan Isotricha prostoma, liquid-, and solid-associated bacteria in rumen biohydrogenation of linoleic acid. Animal 3:961-971.

Bolca, S., I. Huybrechts, M. Verschraegen, S. Henauw, and T. Van de Wiele. 2009. Validity and reproducibility of a self-administered semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire for estimating usual daily fat, fibre, alcohol, caffeine and theobromine intakes among belgian post-menopausal women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 6:121-150.

Bolca, S., C. Wyns, S. Possemiers, H. Depypere, D. De Keukeleire, M. Bracke, W. Verstraete, and A. Heyerick. 2009. Cosupplementation of isoflavones, prenylflavonoids, and lignans alters human exposure to phytoestrogen-derived 17 beta-estradiol equivalents. Journal of Nutrition 139:2293-2300.

Cani, P. D., S. Possemiers, T. Van de Wiele, Y. Guiot, A. Everard, O. Rottier, L. Geurts, D. Naslain, A. Neyrinck, D. M. Lambert, G. G. Muccioli, and N. M. Delzenne. 2009. Changes in gut microbiota control inflammation in obese mice through a mechanism involving GLP-2-driven improvement of gut permeability. Gut 58:1091-1103.

Cao, X., X. Huang, N. Boon, P. Liang, M. Fan, L. Zhang, and X. Zhang. 2009. A completely anoxic microbial fuel cell using a photo-biocathode for cathodic carbon dioxide reduction. Energy & Environmental Science 2:298-501.

Carballa, M., W. Moerman, W. De Windt, H. Grotaerd, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Strategies to optimize phosphate removal from industrial anaerobic effluents by magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) production. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 84:63-68.

Clauwaert, P., J. Desloover, C. Shea, R. Nerenberg, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Enhanced nitrogen removal in bio-electrochemical systems by pH control. Biotechnology Letters 31:1537-1543.

Clauwaert, P., S. Mulenga, P. Aelterman, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Litre-scale microbial fuel cells operated in a complete loop. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 83:241-247.

Clauwaert, P., and W. Verstraete. 2009. Methanogenesis in membraneless microbial electrolysis cells. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 82:829-836.

Crab, R., M. Kochva, W. Verstraete, and Y. Avnimelech. 2009. Bio-flocs technology application in over-wintering of tilapia. Aquacultural Engineering 40:105-112.

Dang, T. V. C., V. H. Nguyen, K. Dierckens, T. Defoirdt, N. Boon, P. Sorgeloos, and P. Bossier. 2009. Novel approach of using homoserine lactone-degrading and poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating bacteria to protect Artemia from the pathogenic effects of Vibrio harveyi. Aquaculture 291:23-30.

De Clippeleir, H., S. E. Vlaeminck, M. Carballa, and W. Verstraete. 2009. A low volumetric exchange ratio allows high autotrophic nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor. Bioresource Technology 100:5010-5015.

De Gusseme, B., P. De Schryver, M. De Cooman, K. Verbeken, P. Boeckx, W. Verstraete, and N. Boon. 2009. Nitrate-reducing, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria as microbial oxidants for rapid biological sulfide removal. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 67:151-161.

De Gusseme, B., B. Pycke, T. Hennebel, A. Marcoen, S. E. Vlaeminck, H. Noppe, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Biological removal of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol by a nitrifier enrichment culture in a membrane bioreactor. Water Research 43:2493-2503.

De Muynck, W., N. De Belie, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Effectiveness of admixtures, surface treatments and antimicrobial compounds against biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion of concrete. Cement & Concrete Composites 31:163-170.

De Muynck, W., A. M. Ramirez, N. De Belie, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Evaluation of strategies to prevent algal fouling on white architectural and cellular concrete. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 63:679-689.

De Schamphelaire, L., and W. Verstraete. 2009. Revival of the biological sunlight-to-biogas energy conversion system. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 103:296-304.

De Schryver, P., and W. Verstraete. 2009. Nitrogen removal from aquaculture pond water by heterotrophic nitrogen assimilation in lab-scale sequencing batch reactors. Bioresource Technology 100:1162-1167.

Defoirdt, T., N. Boon, P. Sorgeloos, W. Verstraete, and P. Bossier. 2009. Short-chain fatty acids and poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoates: (New) Biocontrol agents for a sustainable animal production. Biotechnology Advances 27:680-685.

Defoirdt, T., H. A. D. Ruwandeepika, I. Karunasagar, N. Boon, and P. E. M. R. Bossier. 2009. Quorum sensing negatively regulates chitinase in Vibrio harveyi. Environmental Microbiology Reports:In press.

Desmidt, E., W. Verstraete, J. Dick, B. D. Meesschaert, and M. Carballa. 2009. Ureolytic phosphate precipitation from anaerobic effluents. Water Science and Technology 59:1983-1988.

Diamantis, V. I., W. Verstraete, and A. Aivasidis. 2009. Upflow anaerobic clarification tank (UACT) to upgrade existing anaerobic effluents. Water Science and Technology 59:2411-2419.

Dierckens, K., A. Rekecki, S. Laureau, P. Sorgeloos, N. Boon, W. Van den Broeck, and P. Bossier. 2009. Development of a bacterial challenge test for gnotobiotic sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae. Environmental Microbiology 11:526-533.

Erguder, T. H., N. Boon, L. Wittebolle, M. Marzorati, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Environmental factors shaping the ecological niches of ammonia-oxidizing archaea. FEMS Microbiology Reviews 33:855–869

Forrez, I., M. Carballa, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Biological removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in an aerated nitrifying fixed bed reactor during ammonium starvation. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 84:119-125.

Forrez, I., M. Carballa, H. Noppe, H. De Brabander, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Influence of manganese and ammonium oxidation on the removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) Water Research 43:77-86.

Forrez, I., and W. Verstraete. 2009. Bioaugmentation to degrade the organic de-icers acetate and monopropylene glycol at low temperatures. Water Science and Technology 60:1401-1407.

Grootaert, C., P. Van den Abbeele, M. Marzorati, W. F. Broekaert, C. M. Courtin, J. A. Delcour, W. Verstraete, and T. Van de Wiele. 2009. Comparison of prebiotic effects of arabinoxylan oligosaccharides and inulin in a simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 69:231-242.

Hennebel, T., B. De Gusseme, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Biogenic metals in advanced water treatment. Trends in Biotechnology 27:90-98.

Hennebel, T., H. Simoen, W. De Windt, M. Verloo, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Biocatalytic dechlorination of trichloroethylene with bio-palladium in a pilot-scale membrane reactor. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 102:995-1002.

Hennebel, T., P. Verhagen, H. Simoen, B. De Gusseme, S. E. Vlaeminck, N. Boon, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Remediation of trichloroethylene by bio-precipitated and encapsulated palladium nanoparticles in a fixed bed reactor. Chemosphere 76:1221-1225.

Kumar, A., J. Dewulf, T. Van De Wiele, and H. Van Langenhove. 2009. Bacterial Dynamics of Biofilm Development During Toluene Degradation by Burkholderia vietnamiensis G4 in a Gas Phase Membrane Bioreactor. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 19:1028-1033.

Ma, J. X., M. Carballa, P. Van de Caveye, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Enhanced propionic acid degradation (EPAD) system: proof of principle and feasibility. Water Research 43:3239-3248.

Ma, J. X., L. J. Mungoni, W. Verstraete, and M. Carballa. 2009. Maximum removal rate of propionic acid as a sole carbon source in UASB reactors and the importance of the macro- and micro-nutrients stimulation. Bioresource Technology 100:3477-3482.

Mendoza, L., M. Carballa, B. Sitorus, J. Pieters, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Technical and economic feasibility of gradual concentric chambers reactor for sewage treatment in developing countries. Electron. J. Biotechnol. 12:1-13.

Moerman, W., M. Carballa, A. Vandekerckhove, D. Derycke, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Phosphate removal in agro-industry: Pilot- and full-scale operational considerations of struvite crystallization. Water Research 43:1887-1892.

Niu, G.-L., J.-J. Zhang, S. Zhao, H. Liu, N. Boon, and N.-Y. Zhou. 2009. Bioaugmentation of a 4-chloronitrobenzene contaminated soil with Pseudomonas putida ZWL73. Environmental Pollution 157:763-771.

Pham, H., N. Boon, M. Marzorati, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Enhanced removal of 1,2-dichloroethane by anodophilic microbial consortia. Water Research 43:2936-2946.

Pham, T. H., P. Aelterman, and W. Verstraete. 2009. Bioanode performance in bioelectrochemical systems: recent improvements and prospects. Trends in Biotechnology 27:168-178.

Possemiers, S., C. Grootaert, J. Vermeiren, G. Gross, M. Marzorati, W. Verstraete, and T. V. de Wiele. 2009. The intestinal environment in health and disease - recent insights on the potential of intestinal bacteria to influence human health. Current Pharmaceutical Design 15:2051-2065.

Possemiers, S., and W. Verstraete. 2009. Oestrogenicity of prenylflavonoids from hops: activation of pro-oestrogens by intestinal bacteria. Environmental Microbiology Reports 1:100-109.

Qi, Z. Z., K. Dierckens, T. Defoirdt, P. Sorgeloos, N. Boon, Z. M. Bao, and P. Bossier. 2009. Effects of feeding regime and probionts on the diverting microbial communities in rotifer Brachionus culture. Aquaculture International 17:303-315.

Qi, Z. Z., K. Dierckens, T. Defoirdt, P. Sorgeloos, N. Boon, Z. M. Bao, and P. Bossier. 2009. Analysis of the evolution of microbial communities associated with different cultures of rotifer strains belonging to different cryptic species of the Brachionus plicatilis species complex. Aquaculture 292:23-29.

Qi, Z. Z., X. H. Zhang, N. Boon, and P. Bossier. 2009. Probiotics in aquaculture of China - Current state, problems and prospect. Aquaculture 290:15-21.

Rekecki, A., K. Dierckens, S. Laureau, N. Boon, P. Bossier, and W. Van den Broeck. 2009. Effect of germ-free rearing environment on gut development of larval sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). Aquaculture 293:8-15.

Sanchez, J. I., M. Marzorati, C. Grootaert, M. Baran, V. Van Craeyveld, C. M. Courtin, W. F. Broekaert, J. A. Delcour, W. Verstraete, and T. Van de Wiele. 2009. Arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS) affect the protein/carbohydrate fermentation balance and microbial population dynamics of the simulator of human intestinal microbial ecosystem. Microbial Biotechnology 2:101-113.

Sintubin, L., W. De Windt, J. Dick, J. Mast, D. van der Ha, W. Verstraete, and N. Boon. 2009. Lactic acid bacteria as reducing and capping agent for the fast and efficient production of silver nanoparticles. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 84:741-749.

Sung, Y. Y., T. Dhaene, T. Defoirdt, N. Boon, T. H. Macrae, P. Sorgeloos, and P. Bossier. 2009. Ingestion of bacteria overproducing DnaK attenuates Vibrio infection of Artemia franciscana larvae. Cell Stress and Chaperones 14:603-609.

Van den Abbeele, P., C. Grootaert, S. Possemiers, W. Verstraete, K. Verbeken, and T. Van de Wiele. 2009. In vitro model to study the modulation of the mucin-adhered bacterial community. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 83:349-359.

Van Essche, M., I. Sliepen, J. Van Eldere, Y. Davidov, E. Jurkevitch, M. Quirynen, N. Boon, and W. Teugels. 2009. Development and performance of a quantitative PCR for the enumeration of Bdellovibrionaceae. Environmental Microbiology Reports 1:228-233.

Vanhaecke, L., C. Grootaert, W. Verstraete, and T. Van de Wiele. 2009. Chemopreventive effects from prebiotic inulin towards microbial 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine bioactivation. Journal of Applied Microbiology 106:474-485.

Vanreusel, A., A. C. Andersen, A. Boetius, D. Connelly, M. R. Cunha, C. Decker, A. Hilario, K. A. Kormas, L. Maignien, K. Olu, M. Pachiadaki, B. Ritt, C. Rodrigues, J. Sarrazin, P. Tyler, S. Van Gaever, and H. Vanneste. 2009. Biodiversity of cold seep ecosystems along the european margins. Oceanography 22:110-127.

Vermeiren, J., T. Van de Wiele, W. Verstraete, P. Boeckx, and N. Boon. 2009. Nitric oxide production by the human intestinal microbiota by dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology Article ID 284718:10 pages, doi: 10.1155/2009/284718.

Verstraete, W., P. V. de Caveye, and V. Diamantis. 2009. Maximum use of resources present in domestic "used water". Bioresource Technology 100:5537-5545.

Vlaeminck, S. E., A. Terada, B. F. Smets, D. V. d. Linden, N. Boon, W. Verstraete, and M. Carballa. 2009. Nitrogen removal from digested black water by one-stage partial nitritation and anammox. Environmental Science & Technology 43:5035.

Wang, Y., F. Hammes, N. Boon, M. Chami, and T. Egli. 2009. Isolation and characterization of low nucleic acid (LNA)-content bacteria. ISME Journal 3:889-902.

Wittebolle, L., M. Marzorati, L. Clement, A. Balloi, D. Daffonchio, K. Heylen, P. De Vos, W. Verstraete, and N. Boon. 2009. Initial community evenness favors functionality under selective stress. Nature 458:623-626.

Wittebolle, L., N. Van Vooren, W. Verstraete, and N. Boon. 2009. High reproducibility of ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities in parallel sequential batch reactors. Journal of Applied Microbiology 107:385-394.

Wittebolle, L., W. Verstraete, and N. Boon. 2009. The inoculum effect on the ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities in parallel sequential batch reactors. Water Research 43:4149–4158.

Yu, Y. X., S. Han, D. Zhang, T. Van de Wiele, M. Lu, D. Q. Wang, Z. Q. Yu, M. H. Wu, G. Y. Sheng, and J. A. Fu. 2009. Factors affecting the bioaccessibility of polybrominated diphenylethers in an in vitro digestion model. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 57:133-139.