Tessa Quax

Prof. dr. Tessa Quax is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, leading research in Molecular Microbiology. Her work focuses on archaeal virology and virus-host interactions, supported by prestigious grants including an ERC Starting Grant (2022) and NWO Vidi Grant (2023).

• Key Research Areas:
• Archaeal virus entry/egress mechanisms
• Cell surface dynamics and motility
• Extreme environment microbiology
• Genetic tool development for archaea

Recent publications in Nature Reviews Microbiology (2025) and Current Opinion in Microbiology (2024) highlight her work on viral host recognition and structural diversity. Her lab's 44 research outputs span archaeal cell biology, viral evolution, and ecological impacts of virus-induced lysis.

• Scientific Recognition:
• KNAW Beijerinck Premium (2022)
• KNAW Early Career Award (2021)
• Hector Research Career Development Award (2021)
• ERC Starting Grant (2022)

As Chair of the International Society for Viruses of Microbes SAB and Speaker of the German Microbiology Society's Microbial Viruses group, she coordinates global research networks including a HFSP grant (2023) with Japan/Australia/USA collaborators. Her lab currently includes PhD candidate Zaloa Aguirre Sourrouille and multiple postdoctoral researchers.