Projects / Programmes
Microbiology and biotechnology of food and environment
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2014
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.06.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Biotechnology |
|
| 4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
| 1.05.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
|
| 4.04.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Veterinarian medicine |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B230 |
Biomedical sciences |
Microbiology, bacteriology, virology, mycology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.05 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Other agricultural sciences |
microbiology, biotechnology, nutrients, environment, microorganisms, stress factors, antibiotics, microbial interactions, Bacillus, Campylobacter, Listeria, Shigella, Vibrio, Streptomyces, Saccharomyces, Zygosaccharomyces, micotoxicogenic fungi, viruses, biofilms, starter cultures, sporulation, competence, apoptosis, microbial communities, yeast biomass, resistance, food spoilage microorganisms, patogenic microorganisms, membranes, cell surfaces, nutrient circulation, adaptive mechanisms, bioprocesses
Researchers (45)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The proposed research program focuses on microorganisms and their significant role in natural and industrial environments. Understanding microbial function at the cellular level and at the level of microbial communities enables one to exploit their industrial potential and to control the negative consequences of their action. Microorganisms adapt to changes in physical and chemical parameters in their environment by inducing mechanisms that allow them to overcome the stress conditions and are therefore of grate importance for the action and survival of microbes in their environment. The effect of biological factors and their interactions (viruses, bacteria, fungi and higher organisms) as well as physical and chemical stress parameters (nutrients supply, temperature, humidity, concentrations of salts, metal ions and different anti-microbial agents) on microorganisms will be studied in laboratory model systems. Beside the physiological the ecological aspect of the problem will be studied. The ecology of microbial populations and communities will be studied in complex model systems and also in natural (soil, water) and bioprocess environments (grapes/must and other foods; anti-microbial agents production).The impact of various stress factors on, the flow of nutrients, structure, dinamics and functioning of microbial communities, will be studied. Classical and molecular-biological methods for detection, identification and tipization of microorganisms in food and environment will be developed to enable more efficient detection and monitoring of microorganisms in natural and industrial environments, which will add to the safe food production and the preservation of natural environment.
Significance for science
The research program has achieved important discoveries in the field of microbiology and biotechnology, in food safety and environmental protection. This achievements have been signified through high number of excellent publication and their continuous citations. Microbiology and biotechnology are among the fastest growing areas of modern science and our research has contributed to better understanding of nutrient cycles, of environmental factors that affect emissions of greenhouse gases. We provided novelty in addressing the structure / function relationships of microbial communities in soil and wastewater. Our research has increased the understanding of the role bacteria and archaea play in the removal of excess nitrogen from the soil or pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Studying the impact of stress factors on patogen survival and its resistance to antibiotics, we significantly contributed to steps toward better control of Campylobacter jejuni, the most important enteric pathogen. Bacillus subtilis, industrially important bacteria, but also a probiotic and biopesticide, is used to study social interactions and structural properties of biofilms in the ecological and evolutionary context. These studies resulted in a publication in the best journal (PNAS) and their importance is signified through our collaborations with famous labs at Harvard, Oxford, University of Copenhagen, Jena, Groningen, Budapest. Understanding social interactions is currently one of the hottest topics in science, because we realize that microbes live in the community and can be understood only in the context of sociality. We investigated also the polyketide compounds, which have a very broad spectrum of pharmacological activities from antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer to immunosuppressive. Within the research program, we have made significant progress in understanding the biosynthesis of several very important medical compounds (eg. FK506, erythromycin) as well as compounds with a great potential to solve currently pending needs in pharmacy, such as antibiotic chelocardin. Increased understanding of the mechanisms of polyketide biosynthesis is crucial for the acquisition of new compounds with improved properties by biosynthetic engineering. On the other hand, on the basis of new knowledge we can quickly increase yields of polyketide compounds in the fermentation bioprocesses, which is important for industrially-relevant substances as well as compounds that are produced for research purposes only in the context of clinical and preclinical testing of new drugs. Research program also includes metagenomics, proteomics and metabolomics of microorganisms and also in this field, we have proved a significant impact through publications, citations and co-operations with national and foreign laboratories.
Significance for the country
Studying the biosynthesis of polyketides from actinomycetes has particularly great importance in Slovenia since industrial processes for the production of polyketides are carried out in two of our largest pharmaceutical companies Krka and Lek/Sandoz. The program group members collaborate with both companies and together with Krka and Lek's researchers have developed and patented new procedures to obtain generic agents with multibillion annual market. The obtained results of the research are also of great importance for young biotech company Acies Bio, which is a partner in the program group and develops new active agents, in particular in the areas of neurodegenerative diseases, infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria and cancer. The new compounds are patent-protected and currently they continue their pre-clinical development in collaboration with top foreign research institutions. All these results indicate a very large and long-lasting positive impact on the Slovenian economy and society. In addition to a significant impact in the field of pharmaceuticals, the program group is also developing skills relevant for environmental technologies and clean environment as well as knowledge and methods to produce and monitor food quality and safety. The social significance of our research is evident through continuous transfer of knowledge to industrial partners and their interest in our work. Program group has an exceptional impact on graduate and post-graduate university education, since most group members are actively involved in teaching and show leadership and excellence in motivating the young generations, which is evidenced by remarkable number of doctoral, master and diploma graduates that have performed their research under the supervision of the group members.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
