Achievements and new knowledge unraveled by metagenomic approaches
Carola Simon1 and Rolf Daniel
Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2009 November; 85(2): 265–276.
Metagenomics has paved the way for cultivation-independent assessment and exploitation of microbial communities present in complex ecosystems. In recent years, significant progress has been made in this research area. A major breakthrough was the improvement and development of high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies. The application of these technologies resulted in the generation of large datasets derived from various environments such as soil and ocean water. The analyses of these datasets opened a window into the enormous phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of microbial communities living in a variety of ecosystems. In this way, structure, functions, and interactions of microbial communities were elucidated. Metagenomics has proven to be a powerful tool for the recovery of novel biomolecules. In most cases, functional metagenomics comprising construction and screening of complex metagenomic DNA libraries has been applied to isolate new enzymes and drugs of industrial importance. For this purpose, several novel and improved screening strategies that allow efficient screening of large collections of clones harboring metagenomes have been introduced.
link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2773367/pdf/253_2009_Article_2233.pdf
quarta-feira, 28 de julho de 2010
II WORKSHOP - Biotecnologia de Células Animais
O Workshop de Biotecnologia de Células Animais iniciou-se em 2009 com o intuito de expandir e/ou promover o conhecimento sobre a metodologia de se cultivar células animais para fins biotecnológicos, compreendendo desde estudos de desenvolvimento e caracterização celular ao desenvolvimento de biofármacos em potencial através de biorreatores.
O evento é organizado e realizado pelo Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS) em colaboração com o Programa de Pós-Graduação de Biologia Celular e Molecular do campus da Unesp de Rio Claro. Visa promover a integração entre estudantes, professores e profissionais da área, contando também com a participação de empresas do ramo que possam contribuir com técnicas inovadoras. O evento busca incentivar a discussão de temas relacionados com o cultivo de células animais de forma multidisciplinar, assim como contribuir com a formação dos estudantes, proporcionando, inclusive, oportunidades para futuros direcionamentos profissionais.Link: http://www.workshopbiotecnologia.xpg.com.br/
quinta-feira, 15 de julho de 2010
Biorremediação
Industrial dye degradation and detoxification by basidiomycetes belonging to different eco-physiological groups
Anastasi A, Prigione V, Varese GC.
J Hazard Mater. 2010 May 15;177(1-3):260-7. Epub 2009 Dec 16.
Abstract
Twenty-five basidiomycetes belonging to 17 species and ascribable to different eco-physiological groups were screened for their ability to decolorize 9 commercially important industrial dyes comprising a variety of anthraquinonic, azoic and phtalocyanin chromophores. The influence of the culture medium, particularly its C:N ratio, on decolourisation capacity was considered on solid substrate. Three strains of Bjerkandera adusta performed the highest decolourisation yields being able to degrade all dyes on all media and to produce a wide spectrum of oxidative enzyme activities. Hence, B. adusta strains were selected for further experiments in liquid cultures together with other 6 fungi that resulted effective in the decolourisation of the largest number of molecules in the broadest spectrum of cultural conditions. Particularly B. adusta MUT 3060 was found very effective (decolourisation percentage over 90%) in the treatment of simulated effluents composed of single and mixed dyes at high concentration (1000 mg/l). Peroxidase activity dependent (up to 362 U/l) and independent from manganese (up to 57 U/l) were detected during the decolourisation process. The Lemna minor toxicity test showed a significant reduction of toxicity after the fungal treatment indicating that decolourisation corresponded to an actual detoxification of the wastewater. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TGF-4XY4K4B-1&_user=685742&_coverDate=05%2F15%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000036939&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=685742&md5=94e6b5ac1f49505e24c2b07e6153f535
Anastasi A, Prigione V, Varese GC.
J Hazard Mater. 2010 May 15;177(1-3):260-7. Epub 2009 Dec 16.
Abstract
Twenty-five basidiomycetes belonging to 17 species and ascribable to different eco-physiological groups were screened for their ability to decolorize 9 commercially important industrial dyes comprising a variety of anthraquinonic, azoic and phtalocyanin chromophores. The influence of the culture medium, particularly its C:N ratio, on decolourisation capacity was considered on solid substrate. Three strains of Bjerkandera adusta performed the highest decolourisation yields being able to degrade all dyes on all media and to produce a wide spectrum of oxidative enzyme activities. Hence, B. adusta strains were selected for further experiments in liquid cultures together with other 6 fungi that resulted effective in the decolourisation of the largest number of molecules in the broadest spectrum of cultural conditions. Particularly B. adusta MUT 3060 was found very effective (decolourisation percentage over 90%) in the treatment of simulated effluents composed of single and mixed dyes at high concentration (1000 mg/l). Peroxidase activity dependent (up to 362 U/l) and independent from manganese (up to 57 U/l) were detected during the decolourisation process. The Lemna minor toxicity test showed a significant reduction of toxicity after the fungal treatment indicating that decolourisation corresponded to an actual detoxification of the wastewater. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TGF-4XY4K4B-1&_user=685742&_coverDate=05%2F15%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000036939&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=685742&md5=94e6b5ac1f49505e24c2b07e6153f535
ARTIGO DA SEMANA
Genome sequence of the model mushroom Schizophyllum commune
Robin A Ohm et al
Nature Biotechnology
Much remains to be learned about the biology of mushroom-forming fungi, which are an important source of food, secondary metabolites and industrial enzymes. The wood-degrading fungus Schizophyllum commune is both a genetically tractable model for studying mushroom development and a likely source of enzymes capable of efficient degradation of lignocellulosic biomass. Comparative analyses of its 38.5-megabase genome, which encodes 13,210 predicted genes, reveal the species's unique wood-degrading machinery. One-third of the 471 genes predicted to encode transcription factors are differentially expressed during sexual development of S. commune. Whereas inactivation of one of these, fst4, prevented mushroom formation, inactivation of another, fst3, resulted in more, albeit smaller, mushrooms than in the wild-type fungus. Antisense transcripts may also have a role in the formation of fruiting bodies. Better insight into the mechanisms underlying mushroom formation should affect commercial production of mushrooms and their industrial use for producing enzymes and pharmaceuticals.
link: http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nbt.1643.html
Robin A Ohm et al
Nature Biotechnology
Much remains to be learned about the biology of mushroom-forming fungi, which are an important source of food, secondary metabolites and industrial enzymes. The wood-degrading fungus Schizophyllum commune is both a genetically tractable model for studying mushroom development and a likely source of enzymes capable of efficient degradation of lignocellulosic biomass. Comparative analyses of its 38.5-megabase genome, which encodes 13,210 predicted genes, reveal the species's unique wood-degrading machinery. One-third of the 471 genes predicted to encode transcription factors are differentially expressed during sexual development of S. commune. Whereas inactivation of one of these, fst4, prevented mushroom formation, inactivation of another, fst3, resulted in more, albeit smaller, mushrooms than in the wild-type fungus. Antisense transcripts may also have a role in the formation of fruiting bodies. Better insight into the mechanisms underlying mushroom formation should affect commercial production of mushrooms and their industrial use for producing enzymes and pharmaceuticals.
link: http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nbt.1643.html
sábado, 26 de junho de 2010
ARTIGO DA SEMANA
Continuous ethanol production from cassava through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation by self-flocculating yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CHFY0321.
Choi GW, Kang HW, Moon SK, Chung BW.
Changhae Institute of Cassava and Ethanol Research, Changhae Ethanol Co., Ltd., Palbok-Dong 829, Dukjin-Gu, Jeonju 561-203, Korea. changrd@chethanol.com
Abstract
In this study, a fermentor consisting of four linked stirred towers that can be used for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and for the accumulation of cell mass was applied to the continuous production of ethanol using cassava as the starchy material. For the continuous process with SSF, the pretreated cassava liquor and saccharification enzyme at total sugar concentrations of 175 g/L and 195 g/L were continuously fed to the fermentor with dilution rates of 0.014, 0.021, 0.031, 0.042, and 0.05 h(-1). Considering the maximum saccharification time, the highest volumetric productivity and ethanol yield were observed at a dilution rate of 0.042 h(-1). At dilution rates in the range of 0.014 h(-1) to 0.042 h(-1), high production rates were observed, and the yeast in the first to fourth fermentor showed long-term stability for 2 months with good performance. Under the optimal culture conditions with a feed sugar concentration of 195 g/L and dilution rate of 0.042 h(-1), the ethanol volumetric productivity and ethanol yield were 3.58 g/L x h and 86.2%, respectively. The cell concentrations in the first to fourth stirred tower fermentors were 74.3, 71.5, 71.2, and 70.1 g dry cell/L, respectively. The self-flocculating yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CHFY0321, developed by our group showed excellent fermentation results under continuous ethanol production.
Link: http://www.springerlink.com/content/c747k383873hrt80/
Choi GW, Kang HW, Moon SK, Chung BW.
Changhae Institute of Cassava and Ethanol Research, Changhae Ethanol Co., Ltd., Palbok-Dong 829, Dukjin-Gu, Jeonju 561-203, Korea. changrd@chethanol.com
Abstract
In this study, a fermentor consisting of four linked stirred towers that can be used for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and for the accumulation of cell mass was applied to the continuous production of ethanol using cassava as the starchy material. For the continuous process with SSF, the pretreated cassava liquor and saccharification enzyme at total sugar concentrations of 175 g/L and 195 g/L were continuously fed to the fermentor with dilution rates of 0.014, 0.021, 0.031, 0.042, and 0.05 h(-1). Considering the maximum saccharification time, the highest volumetric productivity and ethanol yield were observed at a dilution rate of 0.042 h(-1). At dilution rates in the range of 0.014 h(-1) to 0.042 h(-1), high production rates were observed, and the yeast in the first to fourth fermentor showed long-term stability for 2 months with good performance. Under the optimal culture conditions with a feed sugar concentration of 195 g/L and dilution rate of 0.042 h(-1), the ethanol volumetric productivity and ethanol yield were 3.58 g/L x h and 86.2%, respectively. The cell concentrations in the first to fourth stirred tower fermentors were 74.3, 71.5, 71.2, and 70.1 g dry cell/L, respectively. The self-flocculating yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CHFY0321, developed by our group showed excellent fermentation results under continuous ethanol production.
Link: http://www.springerlink.com/content/c747k383873hrt80/
OPORTUNIDADE - BIOMM Technology (antiga Biobrás)
A Biomm está trabalhando no projeto “Desenvolvimento de processo para a obtenção industrial de misturas enzimáticas celulolíticas destinadas à produção de biocombustíveis a partir de biomassa”
Temos duas bolsas aprovadas pelo CNPq/RHAE para iniciarmos o mais breve possível.
As bolsas são as seguintes:
Bolsa SCE categoria 6 nível B
- Duração da bolsa: 24 meses.
- Perfil do bolsista: Engenheiro químico ou engenheiro em biotecnologia com mestrado em fermentação ou área afim.
- Valor: R$ 2200,00
Bolsa SCE categoria 3 nível B
- Duração da bolsa: 24 meses.
- Perfil do bolsista: Biólogo, engenheiro químico ou engenheiro em biotecnologia com Doutorado em Microbiologia ou área afim.
- Valor: R$ 3000,00
Os interessados podem enviar o currículo para rh2000@uai.com.br
A RH2000 é a empresa responsável pelo processo de seleção.
Temos duas bolsas aprovadas pelo CNPq/RHAE para iniciarmos o mais breve possível.
As bolsas são as seguintes:
Bolsa SCE categoria 6 nível B
- Duração da bolsa: 24 meses.
- Perfil do bolsista: Engenheiro químico ou engenheiro em biotecnologia com mestrado em fermentação ou área afim.
- Valor: R$ 2200,00
Bolsa SCE categoria 3 nível B
- Duração da bolsa: 24 meses.
- Perfil do bolsista: Biólogo, engenheiro químico ou engenheiro em biotecnologia com Doutorado em Microbiologia ou área afim.
- Valor: R$ 3000,00
Os interessados podem enviar o currículo para rh2000@uai.com.br
A RH2000 é a empresa responsável pelo processo de seleção.
quinta-feira, 17 de junho de 2010
OPORTUNIDADE - Bolsa de Pós Doutorado
Vagas para bolsa tipo pós-doc na Universidade de Brasília e EMBRAPA/CENARGEN. Bolsa da Capes, valor R$3.300,00.
Interessados entrar em contato com:
Profa Dra Sonia Maria de Freitas (nina@unb.br), ou Prof Dr Luciano Paulino da Silva (lucianopaulinosilva@gmail.com) ou Prof Dr. Marcelo Porto BemQuerer (mpbemque@cenargen.embrapa.br).
Área de interesse: Nanotecnologia
Tópicos de interesse:
1) Desenvolvimento de sistemas nanoestruturados voltados para a liberação controlada de compostos orgânicos voláteis e não voláteis e de biomoléculas
2) Avaliação das propriedades físico-químicas, estruturais e biológicas de subprodutos agroindustriais
3) Produção de nanoestruturas poliméricas
4) Estratégias de imobilização de enzimas e desenvolvimento de nanocatalisadores
5) Encapsulamento e liberação controlada de biomoléculas
Interessados entrar em contato com:
Profa Dra Sonia Maria de Freitas (nina@unb.br), ou Prof Dr Luciano Paulino da Silva (lucianopaulinosilva@gmail.com) ou Prof Dr. Marcelo Porto BemQuerer (mpbemque@cenargen.embrapa.br).
Área de interesse: Nanotecnologia
Tópicos de interesse:
1) Desenvolvimento de sistemas nanoestruturados voltados para a liberação controlada de compostos orgânicos voláteis e não voláteis e de biomoléculas
2) Avaliação das propriedades físico-químicas, estruturais e biológicas de subprodutos agroindustriais
3) Produção de nanoestruturas poliméricas
4) Estratégias de imobilização de enzimas e desenvolvimento de nanocatalisadores
5) Encapsulamento e liberação controlada de biomoléculas
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