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Biotechnology opens the window to develop ecologically friendly, sustainable and economically efficient strategies for our environment. Therefore it is necessary to understand principles in microbial ecology. Our aim is to analyse the structural and functional diversity of microbial communities, especially antagonists which are associated with plants. Environmental Enzymology is another focus of the institute. The mechanistic study of enzymatic processes in the environment such as the transformation of xenobiotics often leads to novel enzymes. Especially enzymes transforming polymeric materials in nature have potential for novel industrial applications. Furthermore, we are interested to apply our knowledge to solve environmental problems or to develop ecologically friendly alternatives, e.g. in biological plant protection, bioremediation, biomaterials or alternative production of energy.