Uncovering hidden microbial functions involved in adaptation and processing of synthetic pollutants

• Grant number: 22/03059-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Initial Project
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Gabriela Felix Persinoti
• Grantee: Gabriela Felix Persinoti
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Joaquim Martins Junior ; Mário Tyago Murakami ; Priscila Thihara Rodrigues
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/00320-0 - Microbiomics-based discovery of novel plastic-degrading microbes and enzymes, BP.DD

Abstract

Microbes are the oldest, most abundant, and widespread form of life on Earth that have evolved and adapted to survive in diverse environments. Microbial diversity and their great importance are now widely recognized as they are key players in several ecosystem processes. However, many pathways, enzymes and molecular strategies employed by microbial assemblages to adapt and prosper in environments contaminated with one of humanity's most devastating sources of pollution, plastics, remain elusive. The goal here is to establish and investigate microbial-enriched plastic-degrading communities to understand microbial dynamics and to uncover novel enzymatic strategies for processing synthetic plastics-derived contaminants. We propose to employ an integrative approach combining ultra-deep time-resolved metagenomics and complementary omics as metatranscriptomics, metabolomics and single cell genomics, coupled with computational and data mining analyses to decipher microbes and microbial molecular strategies to allow their adaptation and processing of synthetic pollutants. As results, we expect to unveil unprecedented metabolic capabilities that ultimately may inspire the design and development of environmental-friendly routes to overcame urgent humanity challenges such as the over plastic pollution we face nowadays and thereby enhance carbon cycle dynamics. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MANDELLI, FERNANDA; MARTINS, MARCELE PANDELO; CHINAGLIA, MARIANA; DE LIMA, EVANDRO ANTONIO; MORAIS, MARIANA ABRAHAO BUENO; LIMA, TATIANI BRENELLI; CABRAL, LUCELIA; PIROLLA, RENAN AUGUSTO SIQUEIRA; FUZITA, FELIPE JUN; PAIXAO, DOUGLAS ANTONIO ALVAREDO; et al. A functionally augmented carbohydrate utilization locus from herbivore gut microbiota fueled by dietary β-glucans. NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES, v. 10, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2024-10-14. (21/04891-3, 22/03059-5, 21/09793-0)

SANTOS, CLELTON A.; MORAIS, MARIANA A. B.; MANDELLI, FERNANDA; LIMA, EVANDRO A.; MIYAMOTO, RENAN Y.; HIGASI, PAULA M. R.; ARAUJO, EVANDRO A.; PAIXAO, DOUGLAS A. A.; JUNIOR, JOAQUIM M.; MOTTA, MARIA L.; et al. A metagenomic 'dark matter' enzyme catalyses oxidative cellulose conversion. Nature, v. N/A, p. 29-pg., 2025-02-12. (21/04891-3, 22/03059-5)