(QU) MICROBIOLOGY

Bacteria are found everywhere: in clouds and raindrops, on tree leaves, in soil and oceans, on and in our body. Unlike eukaryotes, bacterial evolution comprises both vertical and horizontal components. Recombination at the species level plays a role in selective sweeps through the population, while inter-species lateral gene transfer (LGT) has important implications to microbial adaptation and evolutionary transformations. In our research we study molecular and genome evolution of microbial genomes.

The research of the group focuses on understanding the interaction between one of the most important human pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, and human skin.

The main research focus is based on:

Dr Mariusz Grinholc, Assistant Professor at Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology at University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk in Poland. Was born on 16 June 1980. In the years 1995 - 1999 attended the Salesian High School, and then took up studies at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, which graduated with honors in 2004.

Our research is mostly focused on the development of new antimicrobial approaches to address the issue of bacterial infections in agriculture, as well as problem of multi-drug resistance in human and veterinary medicine. Currently we concentrate on the three major research areas:

1. Nanomaterials for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.

Our research focuses on understanding the plant-bacteria interaction in the plant rhizosphere. Our goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms i) involved in plant-bacteria interactions, including adhesion and biofilm formation; ii) determining antimicrobial activity of the plant associated-bacteria. We are interested in bacterial cell-to-cell communication (quorum sensing, QS).

Genomic and phenomic-oriented studies on soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (especially Dickeya solani and Pectobacterium parmentieri) aiming for revealing molecular mechanisms responsible for their virulence or reevaluation of their taxonomy.

Collection of Plasmids and Microorganisms (KPD) is a newly established resource at the Faculty of Biology dedicated to collecting and long-term preservation of plasmids and microorganisms, aiming to foster advanced collection management of biological material and consolidate microbial resources previously dispersed among several university labs.

How can we benefit from the biodiversity and unknown resources in marine habitats related to a potential biotechnological application?
Which microbial principles can be used for current and future crises, e.g. Antibiotic resistance, can be exploited?
How do biofilms form on biotic and abiotic surfaces and how can they be used or prevented?
What influence do microorganisms have on their multicellular host?
What role do bacteriophages play in different ecosystems?
How can bacteriophages be used as a therapeutic, e.g. in aquaculture?

• How do Prokarya regulate their nitrogen metabolism on a molecular level? How is nitrogen fixation regulated in (marine) diazotrophs?
• What are the main players, reactions and process rates in the marine nitrogen cycle?
• How can we use the marine genetic resources concerning potential biotechnological and medical approaches? (metagenomic approaches)
• What are the driving forces for the establishment of the microbiota on a marine host, and what is the benefit for the host?