Six Researchers Selected to Conduct FICUS Program Projects

Six principal investigators were recently selected to conduct collaborative research at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) and the Joint Genome Institute (JGI). 

The projects were awarded through the Facilities Integrating Collaborations for User Science (FICUS) program's fiscal year 2026 proposal call. With FICUS, researchers have access to instruments, resources, and expertise at multiple Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science user facilities through a single proposal. If requested, awarded project teams receive access to the Bio-SANS beamline through the Center for Structural Molecular Biology (CSMB) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory via the eBERlight program, and the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) archive of biological, genomic, and geological samples and specimens from terrestrial and aquatic sites. 

These FICUS projects begin Oct. 1. Research must be completed within 24 months. 

The fiscal year 2026 proposal call focus topic areas for projects conducted with these facilities include: 

• biofuels, biomaterials, and bioproducts 
• hydrobiogeochemistry 
• interorganismal interactions 
• novel applications of molecular techniques. 

FICUS projects in collaboration with EMSL and JGI

Read about the awarded principal investigators and their projects: 

Exploring lanthanide homeostasis mechanisms across Methylobacteria 

Allegra Aron 

University of Denver 

This project seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms for the uptake and transport of lanthanide metals in Methylobacterium, environmental bacteria that metabolize methanol. The research team aims to determine the chemistry of hand-off mechanisms between extracellular scavengers and intracellular proteins. This could enable new strategies for separations of critical materials. 

Storage, metabolism, and microbial vision: Molecular mechanisms of nitrogen-rich biocrystallization 

Jana Pilatova 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 

Microscopic crystals observed in microbes for centuries have recently revealed their secrets. Emerging research suggests they play vital roles in nutrient storage, light sensing, and stress resilience. Unraveling their formation and function offers new insights into microbial life and its impact on our planet. 

Modeling microbial community metabolism driving bio-electrochemical upgrading of biogas into renewable natural gas 

Ryan Ziels 

The University of British Columbia 

Anaerobic digestion (AD) converts organic waste into renewable biofuel as biogas and is therefore a critical component of the circular bioeconomy. This project aims to combine multiomic measurements with bioprocess modeling to improve the efficiency of a new microbial biotechnology that converts carbon dioxide from AD biogas into clean biofuel. 

Investigating the fire-mediated belowground drivers of stress resilience in eastern U.S. forests 

Andrew Vander Yacht 

Research Foundation of The State University of New York 

Widespread fire suppression in the eastern United States may be preferentially promoting the dominance of fire-sensitive and drought-intolerant trees by altering soil microbial communities. Using field and greenhouse experiments, researchers will determine the extent of such effects and how fire can be used to improve forest resilience to future stressors. 

What goes around comes around: Exploring the cyclical nature of soil biogeochemical hotspots 

Itamar Shabtai 

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station 

In this project, researchers aim to understand the complex and interacting processes that emerge during root growth, death, and decomposition. They will holistically study how the root’s life cycle shapes the physical structure, chemical composition, and microbial communities of the soil. 

Developing targeted, spatially resolved multiomic analysis of environmental methane-oxidizing syntrophic consortia and their associated viruses 

Victoria Orphan 

California Institute of Technology 

The Orphan lab is investigating the metabolic interactions between structured syntrophic methane-oxidizing archaea and sulfate-reducing bacterial consortia from anoxic methane-rich environments. Using phylogenetically resolved imaging and laser capture of differently structured consortia coupled with sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics, researchers will investigate the spatial distribution of key proteins and metabolites within and between different consortia partners to expand our understanding of this methane-fueled microbial symbiosis.