Research Focus

The Microbiology and Soil Ecosystems Research Programme comprises two complementary research areas focused on microbial resources, soil functions, ecosystem processes, and their applications in sustainable environmental management and biotechnology.

Microbiology Project: This project explores, characterizes, conserves, and utilizes microorganisms from diverse Sri Lankan ecosystems, particularly cyanobacteria and microalgae. Key activities include mass cultivation and characterization of native cyanobacteria for nutraceutical and bioactivity assessment; isolation and characterization of microalgae from freshwater and saline ecosystems in the Jaffna Peninsula for sustainable cosmeceutical development; and microalgae-mediated green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles for cosmeceutical applications. The project also focuses on the establishment and maintenance of a cyanobacterial culture collection as a repository of native microbial resources for research, education, and biotechnology. In addition, microbial resources are being explored for wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and sustainable resource recovery.

Soil Ecosystems Project: This project investigates soil carbon sequestration potential, carbon dynamics, and management strategies for enhancing carbon storage across major ecosystems and land-use systems in Sri Lanka, including wetlands, natural and plantation forests, agricultural plantations, home gardens, traditional tank cascade systems, and smallholder cultivation systems. It also assesses the distribution and dynamics of soil nutrients and heavy metals to understand soil health, ecosystem functioning, and environmental risks. The programme ultimately aims to develop GIS-based spatial maps to estimate and visualize soil carbon storage across different ecosystems, supporting sustainable land management, climate-change mitigation, and ecosystem conservation

 Why does this research matter?

Sri Lanka’s diverse ecosystems contain valuable microbial resources and soils that are essential for food security, environmental sustainability, climate regulation, and human well-being. However, these resources are increasingly threatened by pollution, land-use changes, ecosystem degradation, and climate change.

Cyanobacteria and microalgae offer considerable potential for sustainable biotechnology, including nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, green nanotechnology, wastewater treatment, and bioremediation. Exploring and conserving native microbial diversity can support the development of locally adapted, environmentally friendly, and economically valuable applications. Establishing and maintaining culture collections also ensures the long-term preservation of these important microbial resources for research and future innovation.

Soils are a major component of terrestrial ecosystems and one of the largest reservoirs of organic carbon. Understanding soil carbon storage and dynamics is important for climate-change mitigation, while maintaining soil organic carbon improves soil health, fertility, water retention, and agricultural productivity. Assessment of soil nutrients and heavy metals provides important information on soil quality, ecosystem functioning, and potential environmental risks.

By integrating microbial resource research and soil ecosystem assessment, this programme supports biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, pollution management, climate-change mitigation, and responsible use of natural resources. The research contributes to developing evidence-based, innovative, and sustainable solutions to environmental and socioeconomic challenges in Sri Lanka.