molecular
biotechnology
laboratory
Welcome to Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory website
Discovery of new secondary metabolites of prokaryotes
At LBM we are interested in the secondary metabolites of prokaryotes, bacteria and haloarchaea, from unusual/extreme environments, namely, peptides, siderophores and carotenoids, and to understand their bioactivity, biosynthesis and ecological role. We are particularly interested in the discovery, elucidation of the mechanism of biosynthesis, mode of action and bioengineering of novel peptide antimicrobials of two important classes: the ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) and the nonribosomal peptides (NRPs). In the laboratory we characterize selected producers, purify the active compounds and study their biosynthetic clusters. Further strain manipulations are carried out foreseeing high producers and generation of new variants of the natural products synthesized.
The LBM research group is interested in studying and understanding, at the molecular level, the following biological processes: (i) role and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites of prokaryotes isolated from unusual environments (ii) genotoxic effects of environmental contaminants on bioindicator species and (iii) bacterial resistance to xenobiotics (antibiotics and other environmental contaminants).
Currently, we have three major research areas:
Environmental toxicology
We are interested in determining the effects arising from the exposure to environmental contaminants (e.g. metals and NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials)), namely at the molecular level (genotoxicity, gene expression and mutation analysis). These effects are analysed in vitro and in exposed organisms employing different methodologies to determine the genotoxic potential of these contaminants, alterations in the gene expression profile of exposed cells/organs and to identify mutations in important key genes. Furthermore, we study the expression of genes involved in important cellular response pathways to elect those that can be used as molecular biomarkers.
Bacterial resistance to xenobiotics
Based on the "One Health" concept, we want to understand the dynamics of antibiotic resistance in natural ecosystems, understand the diversity and abundance of ARGs and characterize the fecal resistome of populations of wild animals (eg.: deer, wild boar, otter and fox) that inhabit places subjected to different anthropogenic pressures.