The research of the LBBM interfaces multiple fields including microbiology, ecology and chemistry.  Core research goals are 1) to understand the interactions between microorganisms and other (micro)organisms and their physico-chemical environment, particularly in symbioses and biofilms 2) to understand the fate and effects of chemical and biological contaminants in aquatic environments by developing sensitive and accurate detection systems and studying the fate, ecological impacts and microbial degradation of these contaminants.

The research in the LBBM is organized around three major topics: Topic 1 Microbial Biodiversity and Chemodiversity; Topic 2 Chemical Contaminants: Detection, impact and biodegradation; Topic 3 Ecology of pathogens