Interactions between unicellular eukaryotes and Porifera: physiological function and biotechnological applications of associated thraustochytrids

• Grant number: 19/04707-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Márcio Reis Custódio
• Grantee: Gabriel Nascimento Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/50218-2 - CEPEMA - Cooperative Center of Environmental Engineering, AP.TEM

Abstract

Sponges (phylum Porifera) are multicellular organisms that play a vital role in many aquatic ecosystems. They are considered the first animals to derive within Metazoa, with fossil records dating from the Pre-Cambrian. Sponges have a remarkable capacity for association with microorganisms, hosting a complex microbiota that influences the animal at various levels of biological organization. Despite its importance, several aspects of this host-microbiota interface are still poorly studied. One of the groups frequently found, and one of the most unknown, are protists known as traustrochytrids (Chromista - Labyrinthulea). These fungi-like microorganisms are saprophytic, osmotrophic, and omnipresent in marine ecosystems. It is known that these organisms have a little explored biotechnological potential, such as enzymatic activities and production of metabolites of economic interest. However, the nature of their association with sponges is unknown. Considering its association with sponges and the characteristics of its physiology, this project seeks, through a multidisciplinary approach, to understand the nature of the association sponge- traustochytrids. Light, fluorescent and electron microscopy, spectrometry and molecular biology techniques will be used to characterize this interaction. The study of these microorganisms will make it possible to infer their physiological role in Porifera, besides allowing the evaluation of their biotechnological potential. (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)

NASCIMENTO-SILVA, GABRIEL; COSTA, CAROLINA MENDES; LOBO-HAJDU, GISELE; CUSTODIO, MARCIO REIS; HARDOIM, CRISTIANE CASSIOLATO PIRES. Diversity and structure of bacterial and archaeal communities associated with the vulnerable sponge Halichondria cebimarensis. ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 16-pg., 2023-01-16. (16/17189-7, 19/04707-8, 19/07646-0, 17/10157-5)

NASCIMENTO-SILVA, GABRIEL; HARDOIM, CRISTIANE CASSIOLATO PIRES; CUSTODIO, MARCIO REIS. The Porifera microeukaryome: Addressing the neglected associations between sponges and protists. MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, v. 265, p. 17-pg., 2022-12-01. (19/04707-8, 16/17189-7, 17/10157-5)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SILVA, Gabriel Nascimento. Interactions between unicellular eukaryotes and Porifera: physiological function and biotechnological applications of associated Labyrinthulomycetes. 2022. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) São Paulo.