THE RATZKE LAB...

...aims to understand, predict, and engineer microbial communities by integrating laboratory experiments with mathematical modeling. Microbes are ubiquitous, including within and on our bodies, where they play a crucial role in health and well-being. Despite their significance, much remains unknown about how these communities function. Our lab focuses on uncovering the fundamental principles that govern microbial interactions and their impact on community structure and function. By deepening this understanding, we aim to design and optimize microbial communities for medical and biotechnological applications.

THE RATZKE LAB...

NEWS

July, 2026: We got a new publication in Nature Ecology and Evolution, showing that more nutrient diversity can surprisingly reduce microbial biodiversity.

June, 2026: Magnus joined us as a Master Student to figure out how we can functionally optimize microbial communities.

November, 2025: Shubham's recent ISME paper has been selected as an Editor's pick. We’re grateful to the ISME Editors for this recognition.

August, 2025: We got a new paper out in ISME J . Bacteria can produce an externalized memory by modifying their environment.

news archive

RECENT SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

O. Shalev, X. Ye, J. Kilian, M. Stahl, C. Ratzke
"Increased nutrient diversity can induce loss of microbial diversity through enhanced resource uptake"
Nature Ecology and Evolution (2026)

S. Gajrani , X. Ye , C. Ratzke
"Environment-mediated interactions cause an externalized and collective memory in bacteria"
ISME J wraf173 (2025)

X. Ye, O. Shalev, C. Ratzke
"Biotic resistance predictably shifts microbial invasion regimes"
Nature Communications 16, 3952 (2025)

C. Ratzke*, J. Barrere*, J. Gore
"Strength of species interactions determines biodiversity and stability in microbial communities"
Nature Ecology and Evolution 4, 376–383 (2020)