Bioprospecting bacteria with biotecnological potential in sediments from coastal regions in the state of São Paulo.

• Grant number: 24/19353-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Paula Christine Jimenez
• Grantee: Isolda Sousa Monteiro
• Host Institution: Instituto do Mar (IMar). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12654-4 - Marine myxobacteria from the state of São Paulo as a source of protease inhibitors, AP.BTA.R

Abstract

Marine bacteria are notable in the area of biotechnology, contributing to the discovery of new bioactive molecules and, consequently, to the development of new drugs. Marine actinobacteria and myxobacteria, in particular, have vast potential in the production of secondary metabolites with unusual chemical structures and diverse biological activities, including cytotoxic, antibiotic, antifungal and anticancer. In Brazil, despite recognized biodiversity, the biotechnological potential of marine resources has only been scarcely addressed. Thus, the present project aims to methodize the bioprospecting of marine actinobacteria and myxobacteria from sediment collected on the coast of São Paulo, in order to evaluate the anticancer potential of substances produced by microorganisms. To this end, a protocol for processing sediment samples will be established to systematize the isolation and concomitant cultivation of strains of myxobacteria and actinobacteria. These strains will be characterized in terms of taxonomy, chemical profile and biological activity by measuring in vitro cytotoxicity in tumor cells and inhibition of proteases. Strains selected as the most promising will be further investigated to identify their active principals and validate their anticancer activity. The information obtained will be organized following the standards of the research group's bacterial strain collection and made available to the scientific community. Educational and scientific dissemination content will be produced on the biotechnological potential of Brazilian marine bacteria, with the aim of expanding the outreach of the information generated herein. Directly relating to SDGs 4, 9 and 14, this proposal aims to contribute to a broad understanding of the biotechnological potential of marine bacteria, and, in parallel, argue on the importance of preserving natural resources. (AU)