Identification of Environmental Fungi with Biotechnological Potential Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

• Grant number: 25/19333-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Renata Castiglioni Pascon
• Grantee: Renata Castiglioni Pascon
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Diadema
• Associated research grant: 23/11339-0 - IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MYCOSPORINE-PRODUCING YEASTS: A BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH TO NEW ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION BLOCKERS, AP.R

Abstract

Fungi can produce several compounds important for biotechnological applications, both in the clinical field, such as antifungal and antibacterial compounds, and in the environmental field, which are crucial for carbon sequestration in the soil, for the production of secondary metabolites, and for products of great interest to all sectors of industry. These organisms possess a large biodiversity that has not yet been catalogued, making their identification essential for advancing research. Molecular DNA sequencing methods are widely used for their high reliability and are considered the gold standard for microbial identification. However, it is a time-consuming, expensive, and complex technique, requiring numerous experimental steps to obtain results. It is within this context that the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identification technique emerged as a fast and inexpensive alternative. The main database contains over 4,000 species; however, there are still gaps in spectral profiles, especially for filamentous fungi and yeasts, limiting identification capabilities. One strategy to fill this gap is to invest in the development of local libraries and the standardization of more efficient and comprehensive protocols. Unifesp Diadema's proteomics platform has a MALDI-TOF Sirius Biotyper coupled to IR, recently acquired under the EMU/2023 project coordinated by Professor Dr. Renata C. Pascon (FAPESP 2023/16933-8). Access to this multi-user equipment enables the expansion of libraries of filamentous fungi and environmental yeast profiles, focusing on biotechnological applications. Furthermore, Unifesp's Microbial Interactions Laboratory (LIMIc) houses several fungal and yeast collections, both of medical and environmental interest. Therefore, this scientific initiation combines two valuable resources: access to sophisticated equipment (MALDI-TOF Sirius Biotyper) and the availability of a highly valuable genetic resource (LIMIc fungal collections). Therefore, it is expected that the implementation of this scientific initiation will qualify a student for the identification of fungi by mass spectrometry, as well as develop an advanced protocol for obtaining profiles with quality for deposit in a database. (AU)