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Microorganism Genetics Laboratory

Ricerca al DBB

Referent: Dr. Cinzia Calvio


The Laboratory of Microbial Genetics primarily works on the model organism for Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis is a non-pathogenic bacterium with numerous beneficial characteristics. Living in the soil, it possesses metabolic pathways capable of degrading plant biomass, contributing to nutrient recycling; it promotes plant development, improving agricultural productivity. In addition to being a paradigm for microbial genetics, it grows well in the laboratory on a variety of substrates, can be easily engineered, and is an ideal host for producing degradative and recombinant enzymes and other useful bioproducts. Due to its characteristics, it is already highly
exploited in various biotechnological sectors, including at an industrial level.

RESEARCH LINES

1) Bacillus subtilis in Sustainable Development Challenges - C. Calvio

To ensure a future for our planet, a global rethinking of production systems is required to guarantee the conservation and future availability of natural resources. Despite ongoing climate changes, Earth must be able to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050. Microorganisms are key factors in improving the efficiency of agro-industrial processes while reducing their environmental impact.
The laboratory focuses on improving B. subtilis beneficial traits to optimize its use in agro-industrial processes. Some examples of the research lines currently on going are:

i. Strains hyper-producing the natural polymer γ-PGA can positively influence seed germination in arid soils. Through international partnerships (funded by PRIMA and the European Community), innovative sustainable agriculture technologies are being developed based on seed priming treatments to improve seed vigor and crop performance under adverse climatic conditions.

ii. Additionally, in the frame of the above projects, together with organic chemistry group, we are developing seed coating systems and other γ-PGA-biomaterials based on plant waste residues. This polymer has unique characteristics, making it ideal for the food and agricultural industries and can be produced sustainably.

In collaboration with:
Profs. Alma Balestrazzi & Anca Macovei - DBB and Prof. Daniele Dondi – Dept. of Chemistry, UNIPV and international consortia FORECAST e PROSPER (sustainable agriculture).

iii. Furthermore, we constructed engineered strains that hyper-produce enzymes active on biomass. These strains are being used to degrade cellulose-based waste products (such as cotton and paper) in collaboration with other research groups that can characterize the degradative products through sophisticated equipment.

In collaboration with:

  • Prof. Piotr Młynarz – Dept. of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland
  • Prof. Giorgio Ulisse Scari'– Dept. of Biosciences - University of Milan

iv. A patent has also been developed for the hyper-production of γ-PGA via electro-fermentation in collaboration with

Prof. Enrico Marsili, Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China

 

2) γ-PGA-SPECIFIC HYDROLASES AS ANTIBACTERIAL AND DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS - C. Calvio

Four new genes in encoding -PGA hydrolases have been identified B. subtilis and characterized. These genes, of phagic origin, have spread to various bacterial species, including pathogens, through horizontal gene transfer. Research is characterizing these enzymes for potential use as antibacterial agents against pathogens which use γ-PGA as virulence factor. Furthermore, an ultrasensitive electrochemical diagnostic system using γ -PGA and one of those hydrolases is being developed.

In collaboration with:

  • Prof. Carlo Morelli – Dept. of Chemistry - University of Milan
  • Prof. Stefano Cinti - Dept. of Pharmacy - University of Naples

 

3) BIOLOGICAL ROLE OF SWRA, A B. SUBTILIS REGULATORY PROTEIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION - C. CALVIO

In B. subtilis, the DegS-DegU two-component system is a central regulator controlling over a hundred genes involved in the transition from exponential to stationary growth phase, multicellular community differentiation, and virulence in pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes or Bacillus anthracis. Together with the protein SwrA, DegU complexly regulates various behaviors. Research is currently investigating the recently discovered effects of SwrA on DegU-controlled pathways and the peculiarities of the swrA locus to understand this extremely complex and still unknown genetic system.