Unlocking the Secrets of the Extreme Microbiome: Biotechnological Frontiers on Earth and Beyond

Project Description

Extremophiles are specialized microorganisms that thrive under severe conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pH levels, and pressures. These organisms are fascinating subjects for scientific research and promising candidates for diverse biotechnological applications. Saudi Arabia's harsh environments, from deserts to volcanic areas, are home to these resilient organisms. These unique settings, resembling extraterrestrial landscapes, provide exceptional opportunities to leverage extremophiles for biotechnological innovations. Our project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's goal of promoting sustainable economic growth. Our project seeks to tap into this potential by developing a multidisciplinary framework that combines advanced isolation techniques, omics technologies, and state-of-the-art facilities at KAUST. We aim to isolate novel microbial strains, explore our culture collection, and uncover their metabolic functions to pave the way for new biotechnological applications and enhance our understanding of life's adaptability. Our research extends to evaluating these extremophiles' potential to support sustainable goals on Earth and their implications in astrobiology and space research. Complementing this, our ongoing study of space-related microorganisms further expands the scope and impact of our research.

About the Researcher

Alexandre Rosado

Professor, Bioscience

Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division

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

-Isolation and Characterization of Novel Extremophile Species: Deliver a curated collection of newly isolated extremophile species from Saudi Arabia's unique environments, such as volcanic regions, hot springs, hydrothermal vents, and hyper-arid deserts, among others. This deliverable involves using advanced isolation techniques to culture these organisms, followed by genomic and phenotypic characterization to understand their unique adaptations and capabilities. We are aiming for further biotechnological exploration and contributing to the global extremophile database. -Functional Genomics and Metabolic Pathway Analysis: Conduct comprehensive omics analyses (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to elucidate the metabolic pathways and biological functions that enable extremophiles to survive under extreme conditions. This deliverable aims to identify genes, proteins, and metabolites associated with resilience to extreme environmental stresses, which could be harnessed for biotechnological applications such as bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, or industrial enzymes. -Development of Biotechnological Applications and Sustainability Assessment: Utilize the data from the isolation and omics studies to develop biotechnological applications that leverage the unique properties of extremophiles. This could include engineering extremophilic enzymes for industrial processes that require high temperatures or acidic conditions or developing extremophile-based biofilters for environmental cleanup. Additionally, assess these applications' sustainability and economic viability in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030's objectives for economic diversification and environmental sustainability. This deliverable would also explore the potential implications of extremophile research in astrobiology and space exploration, enhancing our understanding of life's possibilities beyond Earth.

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