The Laboratory of Microbial Biodiversity and Biotechnology (USR3579 - LBBM), is a joint Sorbonne Université and CNRS  research and service unit founded in 2014 with a mission of advancing the frontiers of basic scientific research in environmental microbiology and (bio)chemistry while responding to major societal challenges in human and environmental health. LBBM has a 20-year-long partnership with the cosmetic and pharmaceutical company Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, and in 2017 the Biosensors, Analyses and Environment (BAE) research team of the University of Perpignan Via Domitia joined the unit which now comprises some 40 persons.

Our main objectives are

1) to understand the underpinnings of the interactions between microorganisms, other (micro)organisms, and their physico-chemical environment, particular in symbioses and biofilms.

2) to understand the fate and effects of chemical and biological contaminants in aquatic environments through the development of sensitive and accurate detection systems and the study of the fate, ecological impacts and microbial degradation of chemical contaminants

3) to describe and explore microbial biodiversity and develop novel biotechnology products from environmental microorganisms and

4) to perform services to meet the needs of industrial partners, environmental agencies, and other stakeholders.

The USR 3579-LBBM is primarily associated to the Section 30 of the Comité National de la Recherche Scientifique, the Ecology Institure  (CNRS-ECOLOGIE ET ENVIRONNEMENT), the Biology Instiute (CNRS-BIOLOGIE) as primary institute, as well Chemistry Institute (CNRS-CHIMIE).