Research

How microbes transform chemicals

The Yu Research Group studies chemical–microbe interactions across natural, engineered, and host-associated ecosystems. We connect environmental analytical chemistry with functional microbiology to reveal mechanisms—and to design safer chemicals and sustainable technologies.

Our current projects span three major classes of chemicals: agrochemicals, industrial chemicals including plastics, plastic additives, and PFAS, and pharmaceuticals. Visit our Team page to learn more about the people leading and contributing to these different research areas. Join us to expand the chemical space we explore and uncover new principles governing how microbes transform chemicals across diverse ecosystems.

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Chemical fate & ecological impact

01 · Detect

Trace chemicals, transformation products, and ecological effects across environmental and human-associated systems.

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Microbial mechanisms of biotransformation

02 · Decode

Identify the microorganisms, genes, enzymes, and pathways that connect community function to reaction chemistry.

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Designing precision biosolutions

03 · Design

Translate molecular insight into bioaugmentation cultures, biocatalysts, biosensors, safer and more sustainable chemicals, and models that predict chemical fate across environments.

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Art in Science

A visual record of how our science evolves.

Logo Generation One · January 2026
Designed at the lab’s launch, Generation One brings environmental microbiology and analytical chemistry together around a shared idea: transformation. Future generations will evolve with our questions, methods, and community.