The project leader was the first author of a chapter in which we analysed the evolution of microorganisms in extreme environments. We especially focused on groups of exceptionally adaptable fungi, which are capable of survival in various stressful environments. Due to this excellent adaptability many of them (of which the yeast A. pullulans used in this project is a prime example) have a great potential for use in biotechnology. Increasingly they are also becoming the cause of various infections. In addition to this and the articles stated below, from the beginning of the project the project leader co-authored another book chapter [COBISS.SI-ID 32455385] and scientific article [COBISS.SI-ID 3130191].
COBISS.SI-ID: 3338831
The project leader was the first author of the genome publication of four Aureobasidium pullulans varieties. The article was focused on (i) the presence and characteristics of genes involved in stress tolerance, especially to high salt concentrations that are well tolerated by Aureobasidium species; (ii) the presence of biotechnologically important genes and genes involved in the biotechnologically important traits of the species; (iii) the description of varieties as new species, based on the differences between the genomes. The achievement plays a large role in the successful execution of the project. The genomic analyses enabled the identification of several genes later selected for testing in S. cerevisiae. Some of these genes proved to increase the tolerance of this yeast to salt or other osmolytes. The article was published in a scientific journal of the corresponding research field and attracted substantial attention (also due to the important role of Aureobasidium spp. in biotechnology, agriculture and medicine), including 14 pure citations (source: Scopus) in the first 1.5 years after publication.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3173711
A short amino acid motif from A. pullulans 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphatase increases the halotolerance of this otherwise salt-sensitive enzyme. We inserted the amino acid motif into the homologous enzyme of the yeast S. cerevisiae and plant A. thaliana. We confirmed that the expression of the modified enzame increases the halotolerance of yeast and the salt and drought tolerance of the plant.
COBISS.SI-ID: 31021785