Research Group · Boğaziçi University

Biodegradation & Microbial Genomics Lab

We discover microorganisms that clean up toxic chemicals in the environment — and investigate the genomic mechanisms driving microbial adaptation, resistance, and horizontal gene transfer.

Our Research → Publications
Boğaziçi University · IESc
24+
Publications
11
Team Members
3
Active Projects
EU, TÜBİTAK & BAP
Funding
About

Biodegradation & Microbial Genomics Lab

We study how microorganisms interact with synthetic chemicals in the environment — and how these interactions shape microbial evolution, resistance, and ecosystem health.

Based at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Boğaziçi University, BIOMIG investigates the biodegradation of emerging contaminants (particularly quaternary ammonium compounds), horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, and the development of bioinformatics tools for environmental metagenomics. Our research is supported by TÜBİTAK, Boğaziçi University BAP, and EU CHIST-ERA grants.

Research

Active Projects

Our work spans QAC biodegradation, antimicrobial resistance, environmental genomics, and microbiome engineering.

BAP Project
🧬

Structural Interactions of QxyAR Operon Proteins with QACs

QxyA, the only known Group V Rieske oxygenase capable of degrading QACs, is studied via protein-ligand docking to identify critical active-site residues and guide protein engineering.

Protein Docking BAP PhD
🏺

Ancient DNA from Archaeological Pottery

Extracting and analyzing microbial DNA from ancient pottery to reconstruct past microbial communities and trace the evolutionary history of genetic elements across time.

Ancient DNA Archaeogenomics
🦠

Xenofunctional Microbiome: Preventive Pregenobiotics

Leveraging microbial communities capable of transforming xenobiotic compounds to develop preventive pregenobiotics against chemical-induced diseases.

Microbiome BAP ADP 2024

Completed Projects

Effects of Disinfectant Stress on Bacterial Genome Plasticity
2023
TÜBİTAK
Expression Mechanism of the QxyA Gene Enabling Disinfectant Oxidation
2023 · BAP 23Y00M3
BAP
Monitoring Organic Disinfectants in Turkish Rivers during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
2022 · BAP 22Y00P2
BAP
SWAIN — Sustainable Watershed Management Through IoT-Driven AI
2021 · CHIST-ERA-19-CES-005
EU CHIST-ERATÜBİTAK
Team

The People

A diverse group of researchers united by curiosity about microbial life and its interactions with the chemical environment.

Ulaş Tezel
Assoc. Prof. Ulaş Tezel
Principal Investigator
Dr. Tezel is an Associate Professor in the Institute of Environmental Sciences (IESc) at Boğaziçi University and an affiliated member of the Center for Life Sciences and Technologies (LifeSci). His research focuses on the biodegradation of xenobiotic disinfectants, horizontal gene transfer, and environmental genomics.
Personal Website Email
Koray
Koray
Postdoctoral Researcher
Developed an up-flow packed bed reactor to remove benzalkonium chlorides from wastewater. Currently focusing on QAC effects on plasmid construction and transfer.
Evrim
Evrim
Postdoctoral Researcher
Responsible for HPLC-based chemical analyses. Quantification and characterization of micropollutants and disinfectant compounds in environmental samples.
Recep
Recep
PhD Student
Bioinformatics tools and algorithms for microbiological data analysis. Creator of the EvoBioMIG web application and the PICOTA transposon detection pipeline.
Görkem
Görkem
MS Student
Ancient DNA analysis and archaeogenomics to reconstruct past microbial communities and trace evolutionary trajectories of microbial genes.
Hira
Hira
MS Student
Investigating QAC effects on bacterial conjugation and horizontal gene transfer through conjugative plasmid transfer between bacterial strains.
Rüya
Rüya
MS Student
Investigating how QAC disinfectant exposure drives horizontal gene transfer and transposon mobilization in microbial communities.
Bener
Bener
MS Student
Conjugation and plasmid formation in bacteria, focusing on QAC effects on horizontal gene transfer through conjugative plasmid transfer.
Filiz
Filiz
Technical Staff
Essential technical support: media preparation, assisting students and interns, and ensuring smooth day-to-day laboratory operation.
+
Your Name Here
We're Hiring
Interested in joining BIOMIG? We welcome PhD and MS applications.
Apply →
Alumni
Tuna
Tuna
Micropollutant analysis & biodegradation pathways
Zeynep
Zeynep
Conjugation of disinfectant-degrading genes
Mehdi
Mehdi
Micropollutants in Ergene river · Quality Engineer, Sweden
Emine
Emine
QxyA enzyme discovery · Instructor at METU
Gökçin
Gökçin
Resistant bacteria & protective mechanisms · Research Asst., BÜ
Özge
Özge
Factors affecting BAC biotransformation
Çağlar
Çağlar
Biotransformation of acetaminophen · PostDoc, UFZ Leipzig
Selin
Selin
Modeling AMR evolution & dissemination · Doctoral Researcher, IGB Berlin
Özgücan
Özgücan
Micropollutant toxicity in Ergene River
EK
Emre
Aerobic biodegradation of micropollutants in Ergene River
Begüm
Begüm
Biodegradation of micropollutants in Ergene River
Publications

Selected Papers

Full list on Google Scholar →
2024
The influence of ZIF-L in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) cathode for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)
Eryılmaz M., Otuzoğlu J., Tezel U., Demircan O.
Biotechnology Letters, 2024.
2024
Uncertainty in Environmental Micropollutant Modeling
Ahkola H., Kotamäki N., Siivola E., Tiira J., Imoscopi S., Riva M., Tezel U., Juntunen J.
Environmental Management, 2024.
2018
Widely used benzalkonium chloride disinfectants can promote antibiotic resistance
Kim M., Weigand M.R., Oh S., Hatt J.K., Krishnan R., Tezel U., … Konstantinidis K.T.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 84(17), e01201-18.
2017
A Rieske-type oxygenase of Pseudomonas sp. BIOMIG1 converts benzalkonium chlorides to benzyldimethyl amine
Ertekin E., Konstantinidis K.T., Tezel U.
Environmental Science & Technology, 51(1), 175–181.
2016
Similar microbial consortia and genes are involved in the biodegradation of benzalkonium chlorides in different environments
Ertekin E., Hatt J.K., Konstantinidis K.T., Tezel U.
Environmental Science & Technology, 50(8), 4304–4313.
Facilities & Positions
600 m² Lab Space
2 Instrument Labs
AB SCIEX QTRAP4500 LC/MSn
ThermoSci Q-Exactive OrbiTrap LC/MSn
ThermoSci TSQ Evo9000 GC/MSn
ThermoSci ICapRQ ICP/MS
Waters MV-10 ASFE System
Oxford Nanopore MinION
Open Positions

We are looking for enthusiastic researchers interested in:

  • Analysis of micropollutants in natural systems (water, soil)
  • Bioinformatics, genomics, enzymes and microbiology
  • Biodegradation and biotransformation of hazardous chemicals by bacteria

Or if you have another interesting idea — contact Dr. Ulaş Tezel, submit a CV, or come to talk.

BIOMIG Lab
Press

Media Coverage

Selected news articles and media coverage of BIOMIG's research.

March 2022
Boğaziçi Haberler
Ergene dünyanın en yoğun ilaç atığını taşıyan nehirlerinden biri
Read more →
April 2022
TRT Haber
Ergene, ilaç atığıyla zehirleniyor
Read more →
March 2021
Boğaziçi Haberler
Ergene'nin su kalitesi için geliştirilen yazılım Avrupa nehirlerinde de kullanılacak
Read more →
March 2021
Milliyet
Kimyasal zehir nehri Ergene
Read more →
October 2019
Boğaziçi Haberler
Boğaziçi Üniversitesi karbon negatif biyorafineri ile AB'ye model olacak
Read more →
March 2016
Memurlar.net
Deterjanlar bakterileri canavarlaştırıyor
Read more →
Contact

Get in Touch

Interested in collaborating, joining the lab, or learning more about our research?

📍
Location
Institute of Environmental Sciences
Boğaziçi University
34342 Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey
✉️
Email
ulas.tezel@boun.edu.tr
🎓
Open Positions
PhD and MS applications are welcome year-round. Please include a CV and brief statement of interest.

BIOMIG is based at Boğaziçi University's Institute of Environmental Sciences and is affiliated with the Center for Life Sciences and Technologies (LifeSci). We collaborate with research groups across Turkey and Europe.