Building a Thermodynamic Framework for Microbial Community Functions
Theoretical Framework of Ecological Thermodynamics
Our research aims to describe microbial community metabolism as a network of chemical reactions and energy conversions. By applying thermodynamic principles, we quantitatively evaluate the feasibility and competition of metabolic reactions based on Gibbs free energy (ΔG). This allows us to predict which reactions are likely to occur under given environmental conditions and to explore how community structures and functions emerge from energetic constraints. We seek to establish a theoretical foundation for “ecological thermodynamics” that links microscopic reactions to ecosystem-level stability.
Integrating Data-Driven and Theory-Driven Analyses
We combine thermodynamic modeling with genome informatics and environmental omics data to bridge theory and observation. Through statistical causal inference and network analysis, we infer the relationships between microbial taxa, chemical compounds, and metabolic reactions. This integrative approach enables us to identify which metabolic functions are thermodynamically realized in nature and how environmental changes influence community-level energy utilization.
Universal Principles of Life from a Thermodynamic Perspective
Understanding ecosystems through the lens of energy transformation provides insights into the universal principles that govern life. By integrating thermodynamics, information science, geochemistry, and microbial ecology, we aim to establish a unified framework that explains energy-based organization and function across multiple levels of life—from cells to ecosystems.