Bacteriophages

Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages killed of Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilisBacillus species are large-scale used in industry because of their useful features such as the capacity to secret proteins into extracellular medium or the high growth rates resulting in short fermentation cycle times. Despite the numerous advantages, Bacillus species may cause Bacteriophages are the largest group of all described viruses.

Bacteriophages are very useful for human in the process known as phage therapy damage. Phages are high host-specific and infect only specific species or strains. The first attempts to control Bacillus subtilis infections by phages were carried out by Ackermann et al. The results showed extreme heterogeneity of B. subtilis species. we have isolated four bacteriophages with different specificity to 20 Bacillus subtilis strains. Detail data as to morphology, thermal and pH stability, genome size and capside protein mass were described for bacteriophages specified for four representative B. subtilis strains.

  • 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.