Daniela Becker (née Taraba)
Contact
Daniela Becker (née Taraba)
PhD Student
Department of Environmental Microbiology
Working Group Systems Biology of Microbial Communities
Helmholtz Centre for
Environmental Research - UFZ
Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
Phone +49 341 235-1315
daniela.taraba@ufz.de

CV / Scientific Career
since 04/2016
PhD student
at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig
Department of Environmental Microbiology
Topic: NGS-based characterization of biogas reactor microbiomes
09/2015 - 03/2016
Research Assistent
at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig
Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology
Section: Investigation of acute toxicity for environmental samples by means of Danio rerio
10/2013 - 08/2015
Molecular biology/Bioinformatics (M.Sc.)
Hochschule Mittweida - University of Applied Science
Masterthesis at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig
Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology
Topic: Investigations of acute and subacute toxicity for aquatic environmental chemicals and their mixtures
10/2009 – 09/2013
Biotechnology/Bioinformatics (B.Sc.)
Hochschule Mittweida - University of Applied Science
Bachelor thesis at the CUP Laboratorien Dr. Freitag GmbH, Radeberg
Topic: Validation of methods and procedures by means of GMP-Norms
Research emphasis
- Next generation sequencing and metagenome analysis to characterize microbiomes during the production of biogas
- Bioinformatics analysis of metagenome data and development of tools and automated pipelines
- Analysis of metatranscriptome data
- Integration of Omics-data
Acetogenesis and methanogenesis are the last two steps during methane production. These steps require the functional interaction between members of the microbial community. Today, these mechanisms are still only partially understood. To better understand low methane yields and bioreactor instabilities, a more detailed knowledge on interactions, activities and mechanisms is necessary.
Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics are fundamental for the characterization of microbial communities.
Metagenomics is a young experimental method which is based on established techniques and next generation sequencing. During analysis, the whole genome of a microbial community is assessed.
Resulting data in concert with complementary results obtained in the working group Systems Biology of Microbial Communities are used to construct mathematical models which provide a functional relationship perspective of the data.
Using these models, predictions on quantitative and qualitative changes within the microbial community and on biogas production are feasible. This approach can additionally be used to characterize and optimize crucial processes.
Interships, project work and bachelor/master thesis
If you are interested in one of my research areas centering around the topics metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and bioinformatics analysis, I'm glad to obtain an informal application. Please provide by email a short letter of motivation, CV, expected date and duration of your research intention.