Department of Microbiology
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The research at the department of Microbiology at NCU is multidisciplinary and has 5 major broad areas of emphasis: microbe-host interactions, applied microbiology and biotechnology, microbial ecology and physiology, molecular microbiology and bioinformatic /-omics. We are currently working with bacteria, fungi and plant viruses.
The Department of Microbiology is home to the following research activities:
- Identification of mycorrhizal symbionts and exploring its potential in plant growth improvement
Mycorrhizae is a mutualistic symbiotic association between mycorrhizal fungi and plant roots. The plant obtains phosphate, other minerals and water through the fungus, while the fungus obtains sugars from the plant root. This relationship is very common in ecosystems and concerns about 80% of all known vascular plants. Two main types of mycorrhizae are known: endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae. In the case of endomycorrhizae, e.g. vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae, fungal mycelium is embedded within the root tissue and form arbuscules and vesicules. Ectomycorrhizal fungi form so-called mantle around the plant roots and Hartig net between cortex cells. Our research is concern on the observation of mycorrhizal symbionts in natural forest ecosystem and impact of fungal inoculation on the growth and tolerance of abiotic stresses, e.g. salinity, by host plant. Moreover, our researches concern on taxonomic and functional analysis of these fungal community.
- Characterization of endophytes from extreme environments and deciphering their role in crop improvement.
Endophytes are organisms often fungi and bacteria, that live in and between living plant cells. The relationship that they establish with the plant varies from symbiotic to neutral. Of all of the world’s plants, only a few plant species are explored for endophytes. Hence the opportunity to find new and interesting endophytes among the myriad of plants is great. Our research objectives investigate on how and why the plant endophytic microbiome is so different from each other. Which environmental factors determine these differences and what are the consequences for ecosystem sustainability? Why this diversity exists and how it persists are the key questions that drive our research. Sometimes extremely unusual and valuable organic substances are produced by these endophytes that are sources of novel chemistry and biology to assist in helping solve not only plant health, but also human and animal health problems.
- The Unexplored Biosynthetic Potential of Extremophilic Actinomycetota and Their Application Perspectives
The search for novel bioactive compounds currently represents one of the primary priorities in contemporary biotechnology, medicine, and agronomy. A critical challenge is the escalating phenomenon of multidrug resistance among both human and plant pathogens, coupled with the urgent need to reduce the use of chemical plant protection agents. Among the taxa with the highest applicative potential are actinomycetes (Actinomycetota), with particular emphasis on strains isolated from ecological niches with extreme physicochemical parameters, which are characterized by unique metabolic pathways. The evolutionary pressure prevailing in extreme ecosystems forces microorganisms to develop specific structural and metabolic modifications. Consequently, these microorganisms serve as a source of novel metabolites that can contribute to addressing numerous challenges associated with combating resistant microbial strains and advancing sustainable agriculture.
Our research focuses on the isolation of actinomycete strains, particularly novel taxa, from extreme or poorly explored environments, such as deserts, deep-sea sediments, polar regions, as well as acidic, saline, and alkaline habitats. Taxonomic studies are conducted, and the biotechnological potential of the strains is evaluated using both in vitro and in silico approaches. Furthermore, comprehensive investigations are carried out to determine the biodiversity, biotechnological potential, and microbial ecology within the analyzed environments using a metagenomic approach.
- Study on interactions between pathogenic viruses and plant symbiotic microorganisms co-infecting the same host
Plant Viruses are obligate intracellular phytopathogens affecting various plants including crops. Their transmission from one plant to another usually involves animal vectors (e.g. insects, nematodes, mites), however viruses can also be spread via sap exchange during mechanical damage of plant tissue. Viral infections can cause serious plant diseases with a wide range of symptoms, most often yellowing, mosaic or necrotic spots, growth distortion and abnormalities in fruit formation. Therefore viruses cause huge economical losses in crop production, having negative impact on plant yield quality and quantity. The objectives of our studies are interactions between pathogenic viruses and plant symbiotic microorganisms (e.g. endomycorrhizal fungi) co-infecting the same host. As plant symbionts increase host fitness and modulate host defence mechanisms, we aim to establish if they can be used as bioprotective factors against viruses. We study symbiont-dependent mechanisms underlying alleviation of virus-induced stress responses in plants.
- Green Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Medicine: From Biosynthesis to Smart Nanocomposites
In recent years, various types of nanoparticles have been synthesized and utilized across numerous fields, including medicine and agriculture. Metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles are of particular interest due to their diverse biological activities, such as antimicrobial effects (e.g., against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains and phytopathogens) and antitumor properties. In our studies, actinomycetes and fungi were selected for the synthesis of nanoparticles (including silver, and zinc, magnesium, copper and iron oxides) as microorganisms with recognized high biological activity, characterized by the production and secretion of numerous proteins and/or secondary metabolites. The biological synthesis (green synthesis) of nanoparticles offers distinct advantages over chemical and physical methods, as it is simple, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and yields nanoparticles capped with naturally derived molecules. When applied at low, optimal doses, these selected nanoparticles promote plant growth without inducing cytotoxic effects.
An equally promising and eco-friendly research direction pursued within our work is the development of multifunctional nanocomposites based on natural polymers and biochar. This combination enables the fabrication of stable and highly biocompatible structures. These nanocomposites open up wide-ranging application opportunities in modern agriculture, focused on plant protection and growth promotion. Due to the unique sorptive properties of biochar and the protective matrix provided by natural polymers (such as casein, chitosan, or alginates), these systems serve as ideal smart-delivery carriers. They facilitate the controlled and sustained release of nutrients and active substances. In the context of plant protection, the developed nanocomposites can effectively deliver natural phytosanitary agents directly to pathogens, thereby minimizing losses caused by rain leaching. While in the field of growth stimulation, they enhance root system development, improve soil structure, increase soil water-retention capacity, and facilitate the assimilation of micro- and macroelements by plants, which directly translates into higher crop yields in a sustainable manner.
- Application of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) against human pathogenic microorganisms (HPMO)
HPMOs have high survival strategies in environment. They can migrate via root system and colonize various plant parts such as roots, shoots, flowers and fruits. Washing step reduces the level of the human pathogens or spoilage organisms only marginal therefore, the major concern is how to get rid of the attached and internal bacteria which are difficult to wash off. Contamination of raw vegetables may occur during cultivation, harvesting, handling or distribution. In past few years, consumption of unprocessed vegetables has resulted in increased number of disease outbreaks caused by HPMOs. Bearing all this in mind, our research objectives investigate the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) against HPMO’s.
- Investigation of phosphate solubilizing microbes (PSMs)
Phosphate solubilizing microbes (PSMs) are a group of beneficial microorganisms capable of hydrolyzing organic and inorganic insoluble phosphorus compounds to soluble P form that can easily be assimilated by plants. Because the reserves of phosphorus on our planet are depleting quickly since the introduction of modern agriculture PSM became a hot topic among scientists from around the globe. Did you know that only 30% of phosphorus in artificial fertilizers applied to fields is uptaken by plants? The rest of phosphorus is quickly fixed to ions like Ca, F, or Al and becomes unavailable for plants contributing to the eutrophication process of surface waters. PSM with their ability to solubilize phosphate may be used to retain a significantly higher amount of P in the cycle. Research on our Department focuses on isolation, identification, and characterization of bacterial and fungal PSM.
- Assessing the effect of antibacterial agents on bacterial cell
Bacterial adhesion to surfaces is a complex process, involves specific and non-specific interactions related to the physicochemical properties of cells, surface and environmental conditions. Many bacteria exhibit the ability for adhesion to the surface of various materials. Adhesion and friction are closely related and play a predominant role in many natural processes. The direction in which forces are applied has shown to influence the bond strength of certain systems tremendously and can mean the difference between adhesion and detachment. By probing friction forces and the adhesion forces lateral to the surface, specific information can be obtained that possibly provide new clues for antiadhesive, or easy to clean surfaces. Discovery of new antibacterial agents requires the investigation the mechanism of action. Antibiotics cause a number of morphological changes in bacteria, which could modify the physicochemical cell properties, affecting the hydrophobicity, adhesion, biofilm formation or mobility. Our research objectives investigate on the effect of antibacterial agents on morphology and adhesive properties of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, using atomic force microscopy (AFM).