Nils Weng

My research focuses on syntrophic microbial communities that drive the conversion of volatile fatty acids, especially propionate and acetate, in anaerobic digestion. These reactions are thermodynamically constrained and depend on tightly coordinated interactions between acid-oxidising bacteria and hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Under elevated ammonia concentrations, alternative pathways such as syntrophic acetate oxidation become essential for maintaining volatile fatty acid turnover. Understanding these cooperative processes is important for improving the stability and efficiency of biogas production and for advancing fundamental knowledge of anaerobic microbial ecology.

For a complete list of publications, please see my Google Scholar profile.