Mapping microbial interactions on amphibian skin using advanced mass spectrometry imaging techniques

• Grant number: 24/10769-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: November 25, 2024
• End date: November 24, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Norberto Peporine Lopes
• Grantee: Ana Caroline Zanatta Silva
• Supervisor: Neha Garg
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/01073-0 - Metabolic diversity of anurans in the context of symbiotic interactions using integrative omics approaches, BP.PD

Abstract

Chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is one of the major threats to amphibians in the modern world, leading to population declines and species extinctions. However, variations in resistance to chytridiomycosis observed among amphibian species can be explained by differences in the skin protection systems, particularly the skin microbiome. In this context, this research aims to investigate the role of the skin microbiome in pathogen resistance in two anuran species from the Atlantic Forest: Haddadus binotatus and Ischnocnema henselii. We intend to investigate whether interactions among microbiome-associated bacteria in these two species can help understand the mechanisms involved in resistance and susceptibility to chytridiomycosis. To achieve this, we will use mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to identify and map bioactive compounds produced by skin bacteria and investigate their interactions with the Bd fungus. The methodology will be applied at three levels of analysis: (a) isolated bacterial cells, (b) bacterial cells in co-culture, and (c) bacterial cells cultured in the presence of the pathogen. Thus, in addition to contributing to the knowledge of chytridiomycosis resistance mechanisms, this study will provide a model system which may aid in understanding symbiotic microorganism-pathogen interactions in other biological systems.