Hunting Microplastics-Transforming Enzymes in Mangrove Soils Metagenomes
Project Details
Program
Marine Science
Field of Study
Applied Microbial Ecology
Division
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Faculty Lab Link
Project Description
Mangrove ecosystems are vital for carbon storage and climate regulation, but they are increasingly threatened by microplastic pollution. Despite their rich microbial diversity, the impact of microplastics on mangrove soil microbiomes remains underexplored. This project aims to build a global catalogue of genes from mangrove soil metagenomes and to develop computational strategies to identify and rank putative PET-transforming enzymes. The outcomes will advance our understanding of microplastic degradation potential and microbial ecology in mangrove ecosystems.
About the Researcher
Alexandre Rosado
Professor, Bioscience
Affiliations
Education Profile
- Ph.D. Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/ Wageningen University and Research (WUR)-Plant Research International, The Netherlands 1997
- M.Sc. Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1993BSc Biology, Gama Filho University, Brazil 1989
Research Interests
Professor Rosado is an environmental microbiologist specialized in Basic and Applied Microbiology, Synthetic microbial communities, Microbiome Science, Microbiome Manipulation and Microbiology of Extreme Environments (source of new biotechnological products). His main research interests are centered around the study of microbial diversity, evolution and new microbial metabolisms, using conventional tools associated to multi-omics approaches to understand the evolutionary history, ecological roles, and physiological capacity and capabilities of free-living and symbiotic microorganisms, including those found at the extremes of where life exists. Regarding extremophiles (microbes from extreme environments), he also is interested in Astrobiology,A A exploring concepts and fundamentals on how the use of extremophiles can be beneficial for crops and other biotechnological developments and, in turn, can also generate technologies with potential application in space colonization. Currently, there are important programs developed by space agencies from different nations and these concepts are within some objectives of the 2030 vision for the kingdom. Rosado's research is inter- and multidisciplinary, at the interface of basic and applied (biotechnology/nature-based solutions) aspects of environmental processes.A The main questions that guide his research are the following: What novel genes / genomes, microorganisms, interaction mechanisms and host x microbial metabolism are present in different ecosystems? Can we use them to promote environmental and human health? How can we define the health of these organisms and ecosystems? What are the microbial components of different environmental samples, including those from extreme ecosystems, and how are these communities affected by environmental (and global) changes and anthropogenic factors?A A How can we minimize these impacts by manipulating microbial communities and / or organisms? To try to answer some of these questions, his group applies a plethora of techniques. Complex problems need multidisciplinary approaches. This may allow us to model, manipulate and ""design"" metabolic pathways in natural and synthetic microbial systems using innovative technologies, which can generate revolutionary and unique biotechnological products, opening up different possibilities to explore new biotechnological products and providing insights into new enzymes, new metabolism and evolutionary paths.Selected Publications
- Schultz, J.; Rosado, A.S. 2020. Extreme environments: A source of biosurfactant for biotechnological applications. Extremophiles, 24(2):189-206. doi: 10.1007/s00792-019-01151-2.
- Sarah M. Allard, Matthew T. Costa, Ashley N. Bulseco, VA©ronique Helfer, Laetitia G. E. Wilkins, Christiane HassenrA¼ck, Karsten Zengler, Martin Zimmer, Natalia Erazo, Jorge L. Mazza Rodrigues, Norman Duke, VA¢nia M. M. Melo, Inka Vanwonterghem, Howard Junca, Huxley M. Makonde, Diego Javier JimA©nez, Tallita C. L. Tavares, Marco Fusi, Daniele Daffonchio, Carlos M. Duarte, Raquel S. Peixoto, Alexandre S. Rosado, Jack A. Gilbert, Jeff Bowman. 2020. Introducing the Mangrove Microbiome Initiative: Identifying Microbial Research Priorities and Approaches To Better Understand, Protect, and Rehabilitate Mangrove Ecosystems mSystems, 5 (5) e00658-20; DOI: 10.1128/mSystems.00658-20
- Van Elsas, J.D., Trevors, J., Rosado, A.S., Nannipieri, P. 2019. Modern Soil Microbiology, 3th Edition. Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.A. CRC Press -2019. 472 Pg - ISBN 9781498763530 - CAT# K28975
- Lopez JV, Peixoto RS, Rosado AS. Inevitable Future: Space Colonization Beyond Earth with Microbes First. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 22. pii: fiz127. doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiz127. 2019 (Editor's Choice article)
- Teixeira, L.; Peixoto, Raquel S.; Cury, J.C.; Sul, W.J.; Pellizari, V.H.; Tiedje, J.; Rosado, A.S. 2010. Bacterial diversity in rhizosphere soil from Antarctic vascular plants of Admiralty Bay, maritime Antarctica. The ISME Journal, 989-1001.
Desired Project Deliverables
Gene and genome catalogues from mangrove soils; predictive set of plastic-degrading enzymes
Recommended Student Background
Computational biology
Microbiology
Microbial ecology
Bioinformatics
Enzymology
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Be part of the journey with VSRP
3-6 months
Internship period
100+
Research Projects
3.5/4
Cumulative GPA
310
Interns a Year