Rumen microeukaryotic ciliates (Ciliophora, Entodiniomorphida, Ophryoscolecidae): phylogenomics and potential application in bioethanol industry

• Grant number: 20/11027-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2021
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Vera Nisaka Solferini
• Grantee: Vera Nisaka Solferini
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Franciane Cedrola Vale

Abstract

The gastrointestinal traits of herbivorous mammals constitute complex ecosystems that harbor a fermentative microbiota composed of ciliated protists, among other microorganisms. These protists secrete fibrolytic enzymes that act in the digestion of vegetal fibers. A large portion of these ciliates belong to the subclass Trichostomatia, which display several systematic inconsistencies. This project aims to study the family Ophryoscolecidae (Ciliophora, Trichostomatia) using phylogenomic reconstructions and to conduct a comparative genomic study focusing on "CAZymes" detected in genomes sequenced. Phylogenomic approaches will be used for the first time in trichostomatids and shall contribute to the understanding of the evolution of family Ophryoscolecidae, clarifying systematic problems and relevant taxonomic issues. Also, the study of these genomes may open a field to applied studies related to the prospection of enzymes with fibrolytic activity for bioethanol production industries. (AU)