MicrobialBiopolymers
The research group focuses on the production of microbial polymers, especially polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), as well as extracellular polysaccharides and other substances, using tools of microbial biotechnology. An important part of its expertise is the use of waste materials as substrates for biopolymer production and the application of next-generation biotechnology concepts that employ extremophilic microorganisms as production systems.
The group also develops advanced cultivation approaches and applies genetic engineering methods. In addition to polymer production itself, it focuses on their characterisation, particularly using spectrometric and chromatographic methods and thermal analysis tools. Another important area of research is the study of applications of these polymers in various fields – from agriculture to medicine. The group’s activities also include the assessment of the environmental impact of biopolymers on relevant ecosystems, such as soil and compost.
In a broader context, the research group also studies the physiological and biological significance of microbial polymers, especially in relation to stress resistance and the physiological state of microbial cultures.
prof. Ing.
StanislavObruča
Ph.D.
Head of the laboratory
Specialization: Microbial biotechnology
Research interests: Microbial production and degradation of polymeric materials, waste valorisation
Ing.
IvaBuchtíková
Ph.D.
Contact person
Specialization: Microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biology, gas chromatography
Research interests: Polyhydroxyalkanoates, bacteria, extremophiles, biotechnology, waste valorisation
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Research team
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Research focus
- Advanced approaches to food waste processing and secondary utilisation based on the principles of the circular economy.
- Biotechnological valorisation of food industry and agricultural by-products for the production of industrially important metabolites and high-value compounds (vitamins, provitamins, antioxidants), nutraceuticals, and ingredients for food supplements and cosmetics.
- Use of various microorganisms (cyanobacteria, bacteria), including extremophilic species, for the controlled overproduction of PHA-type biomaterials, which represent biodegradable alternative bioplastics; development of methods for the characterisation of these biomaterials, their biological functions, and new industrial applications.
- Molecular biology methods – further development of specialised genetic techniques for the identification and characterisation of industrial microorganisms, evaluation of the authenticity of natural food ingredients, and analysis of food interactions with human DNA.
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Selected projects
- Development of a new Hydal PHA-based material platform for microplastics replacement
- Demonstrative process for the production and chemical recycling of environmentally safe, superior bio-based packaging by plasma integration in the value chain
- Novel circular biotechnologies and biomedical applications
- Unraveling the role of polyhydroxyalkanoates in Schlegelella thermodepolymerans – promising environmental bacterium for next generation biotechnology
- Understanding of biological function, dynamics and biotechnological consequences of PHA cycle in Rhodospirillum rubrum
- Multifunctional high-value fungal biomass from the Norwegian agriculture supply chain by-products
- Involvement of polyhydroxyalkanoates in bacterial stress response
- More projects
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Selected publications
- Polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesis by halophiles and thermophiles: towards sustainable production of microbial bioplastics
- The role of polyhydroxyalkanoates in adaptation of Cupriavidus necator to osmotic pressure and high concentration of copper ions
- Biotechnological Conversion of Grape Pomace to Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by Moderately Thermophilic Bacterium Tepidimonas taiwanensis
- The underexplored role of diverse stress factors in microbial biopolymer synthesis
- Evaluation of mesophilic Burkholderia sacchari, thermophilic Schlegelella thermodepolymerans and halophilic Halomonas halophila for polyhydroxyalkanoates production on model media mimicking lignocellulose hydrolysates
- Biosynthesis of versatile PHA copolymers by thermophilic members of the genus Aneurinibacillus
- Genomic and Phenotypic Comparison of Polyhydroxyalkanoates Producing Strains of genus Caldimonas/Schlegelella
- Use of Waste Substrates for the Lipid Production by Yeasts of the Genus Metschnikowia—Screening Study
- Combination of Hypotonic Lysis and Application of Detergent for Isolation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Extremophiles
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Collaboration opportunities
- Design and development of biotechnological processes:
- Selection of suitable microbial producers and optimisation of cultivation media composition.
- Application of waste substrates and circular economy principles.
- Optimisation of already established processes.
