At the Chair of Microbiology, we study microorganisms from various natural and industrial environments. We use classical microbiological tools, modern molecular-biological methods, and bioinformatics to explore their taxonomic and metabolic diversity. From selected strains of bacterial species, we isolate and characterize industrially interesting products.
Morphology, physiology and genomics of bacteria from different environmental niches
In addition to viruses, bacteria are the most widespread group of organisms on Earth. Due to their small size and short generation time, they can quickly adapt to new environmental conditions by diversifying metabolic pathways and cell forms. Identification of new species, analysis of their genomes and adaptation mechanisms are the contents of this research area.
- Marič L., Cleenwerck I., Accetto T., Vandamme P., Trček J. 2020. Description of Komagataeibacter melaceti sp. nov. and Komagataeibacter melomenusus sp. nov. Isolated from Apple Cider Vinegar. Microorganisms 8(8):1178. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8081178.
- Ber P., Van Trappen S., Vandamme P., Trček J. 2017. Aeromicrobium choanae sp. nov., a Novel Actinobacterium Isolated from the Choana of a Garden Warbler. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 67(2):357-361. doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001632.
- Trček J., Mira N.P., Jarboe L.R. 2015. Adaptation and Tolerance of Bacteria against Acetic Acid. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 99, 6215-6229. doi: 10.1007/s00253-015-6762-3.
Extracellular polysaccharides: from genes to product
Microorganisms secrete various polysaccharides into their exterior to protect the cell from drying out, from the intrusion of inhibitory substances, allowing the cells to attach to various surfaces or to float on the surface of liquids. These extracellular polysaccharides are also useful in medicine (preparation of replacement tissues, capillaries, patches) and in the food industry (emulsifiers and food stabilizers). Our research is focused on the isolation and characterization of acetan, acetan-like polysaccharides and nanocellulose produced by acetic acid bacteria, and their application for various medical and food products.
- Gorgieva S. in Trček J. 2019. Bacterial Cellulose: Production, Modification and Perspectives in Biomedical Applications. Nanomaterials 9(10):1352. doi: 10.3390/nano9101352.
- Škraban J., Cleenwerck I., Vandamme P., Fanedl L., Trček J. 2018. Genome sequences and description of novel exopolysaccharides producing species Komagataeibacter pomaceti sp. nov. and reclassification of Komagataeibacter kombuchae (Dutta and Gachhui 2007) Yamada et al., 2013 as a later heterotypic synonym of Komagataeibacter hansenii (Gosselé et al. 1983) Yamada et al., 2013. Syst Appl Microbiol 41(6):581-592. doi: 10.1016/j.syapm.2018.08.006.
- Škraban J. in Trček J. 2017. Comparative genomics of Acetobacter and other acetic acid bacteria. Vir: Acetic Acid Bacteria: Fundamentals and Food Applications, str. 44-70. Editor: Ilikin Yucel Sengun, CRC Press.
