Sabine Kleinsteuber

Dr. Sabine Kleinsteuber is a Senior Scientist and Head of the MicAS Group (Microbiology of Anaerobic Systems) at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. With over 25 years of continuous service at UFZ since 1999, she leads research in microbial ecology of anaerobic environments, focusing on engineered systems such as anaerobic digesters and wastewater treatment plants for sustainable bioprocess development.

Education:

• 1990: Diploma in Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg
• 1994: Dr. rer. nat., Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Natural Sciences

Dr. Kleinsteuber's research program centers on optimizing biotechnological processes based on complex microbial communities and harnessing the metabolic potential of anaerobic microbes within the circular economy framework. Her group combines anaerobic cultivation, lab-scale bioreactor operation, and molecular methods for community profiling with multi-omics approaches to explore metabolic functions in natural and engineered microbial consortia. This integrated methodology has positioned her as a leader in understanding microbial community dynamics in waste-to-value conversion processes.

Analysis of her recent publications (2020-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: microbial chain elongation for medium-chain carboxylate production, syngas fermentation for carbon-efficient waste upcycling, and biodegradation of persistent micropollutants like acesulfame. These research areas demonstrate her commitment to developing sustainable biotechnological solutions that bridge environmental remediation with resource recovery, particularly through the lens of microbial community ecology and function.

Dr. Kleinsteuber serves as Specialty Chief Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology (Section Microbial Physiology and Metabolism) and Associate Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology (Section Microbiotechnology). She also contributes to the Advisory Board of Energy, Sustainability and Society, reflecting her interdisciplinary impact across environmental science and engineering domains.

As head of the MicAS Group, Dr. Kleinsteuber oversees a dynamic research program investigating the microbiology of anaerobic systems, with particular expertise in microbial community dynamics, metabolic interactions, and process optimization. Her leadership extends to collaborative projects across UFZ departments and international research networks, fostering innovation in sustainable bioprocess engineering and environmental biotechnology.