The laboratory of microbiology was created in 1978 as part of the Botany Institute of the University of Neuchâtel. Its creation is the result of long tradition illustrated by the mycological studies of Jean-Frederic de Chaillet at the end of the XVIII century, Paul Morthier and Louis Favre on the XIX century, and finally Eugene Mayor, Paul Konrad and Charles Terrier on the XX century. In 1963 Charles Terrier took charge of the lectures on bacteriology previously under the charge of Dr. J. Clerc, the director of the cantonal laboratory of bacteriology. Charles Terrier focused the research in the laboratory to the interaction of fungi and bacteria in the laboratory of “Cryptogamy”. In 1978, when Professor Michel Aragno took the direction of the laboratory a particular emphasis on the study of bacterial ecology was developed. Nonetheless the mycology branch, directed by Prof. Daniel Job was maintained and it has developed importantly specially in the past few years.
Since January 1st 2010 the laboratory is directed by Prof. Pilar Junier, appointed assistant professor in microbiology. Prof. Junier’s team continues to develop research and teaching activities related to microbial ecology, as part of the Institute of Biology of the University of Neuchâtel.