About Us

Research

Department of Biotransformation was created from Biotransformation Unit on the 1st September 2006 as a part of the new Faculty of Biotechnology at Wroclaw University. Staff and students of our Department conduct research on following topics:

 1. The influence of active ingredients secreted by potential probiotic organism, Saccharomyces boulardii, on virulence factors such as germ tube formation, adhesion and biofilm formation, of an opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. This work is conducted in co-operation with French pharmaceutical company, Biocodex.

 2. Identification and characterization of antifungal action of biosurfactants released by human gut bacteria is a joint project with prof. Henny van der Mei from Biomedical Engineering Department of Medical University in Groningen, Holland.

 3. Characterisation of chemical structure, physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of biosurfactants released by microorganisms isolated from soil and water at Spitsbergen in the Arctic. The most important is a possible application of biosurfactants to the treatment of petrol oil contamination.

 4. Within a frame of  a grant Inicjatywa Technologiczna I (Technological Initiative I) certain enzymes such as lipases and proteases are isolated from arctic and industrial waste microorganisms. These enzymes are characterised and methods for their large scale production are determined. The goal is the invention and industrial implementation of new products for cleaning of installations in food industry (diary, for example). These products could also be applied in other branches of industry, such as chemical or biofuel production.

 5. The influence of magnetic field on living organisms is investigated together with Wrocław University of Technology and Polskimi Sieciami Energetycznymi (Polish Energy Network).

 6. Biogaz production is studied within the framework POIG.01.01.02-00-016/08 "Modelowe kompleksy agroenergetyczne jako przykład kogeneracji rozproszonej opartej na lokalnych i odnawialnych Ÿródłach energii".

 7. Identification and characterisation of new regulators of DNA repair in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, in collaboration with MRC Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, UK.

  • Biosurfactants

    We identified chemical structures of newly isolated biosurfactants which are secreted by Arctic microorganisms. We are investigating their antibacterial, antifungal properties as well as proapoptotic activity. Biosurfactants can be used as an antiseptics.

  • Biogas

    We are investigating and optimizing the efficiency of metanogenesis in bioreactors. We are also testing various substrates (industrial waste) as materials for biogas production. Microorganisms which participate in this process are investigated as e.g. biofilm producers.

  • Bacteriophages

    Bacteriophages or phages are bacterial viruses. We isolated and are now investigating phages which kill Bacillus strains. Beside the basic research, the collection of phages can be used in industry as for example eliminators of infections.

  • Antiseptics

    Fungal infections are difficult to treat because of the small number of effective drugs. Candida albicans resistance depends on the activity of ABC transporters (MDR, CDR). We have investigated strains and methods for finding new antifungal compounds (synthetic and natural) e.g. probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.