ABOUT
The EcoFAB initiative was announced in 2015 as a cross-functional team of biologists, geologists, and ecologists from Berkeley Lab to provide critical new insights into ecosystem processes through the creation of controlled model ecosystems in which microorganisms and host responses can be monitored in response to additional or changing variables. This program is in close collaboration between Environmental Genomics & Systems Biology (EGSB), Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and Climate & Ecosystem Sciences (EESA) Divisions.
Fabricated ecosystems (EcoFABs) consist of an autoclavable physical chamber (enabling gnotobiotic studies), a target host organism (optional), growth medium (e.g. soil, sand, media, etc.), and the microbial communities to be tested. Great effort is made to develop standardized and reproducible systems to enable scientists to build on each other’s work. The exact format of the EcoFAB depends on the experimental system and scientific focus, but typically includes capabilities for imaging and omics analysis.
CURRENT ECOFAB PROJECTS
Explore ongoing initiatives involving the EcoFAB devices.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Meet the team of scientists developing the EcoFAB technology
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| Jo Handelsman Wisconsin Institute for Discovery |
Christopher Henry Argonne National Lab |
Kirsten Hofmockel Pacific Northwest National Lab |
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| Caroline Masiello Rice University |
Dianne Newman Caltech |
Trent Northen Lawrence Berkeley National Lab |
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| James Tiedje Michigan State University |
John Vogel Lawrence Berkeley National Lab |
Karsten Zengler UC San Diego |
The EcoBOT
Videography: Marilyn Sargent