Microbial Exopolysaccharides Group (BIO 188), Dept. Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada
The BIO188 group of the University of Granada has focused since the 1990s on the study of the biodiversity of hypersaline habitats and on the biotechnological applications of halophilic microorganisms, initially being Emilia Quesada and in recent years Victoria Bejar the IPs (www.ugr.es/local/eps)
In the last decade, the group has focused its research on the applications of these microorganisms in the area of agriculture, developing several lines of research. On the one hand, the biodiversity of hypersaline habitats (Ana del Moral) and the ability of halophilic and halotolerant bacteria to promote plant growth is studied, both in vitro, analyzing their physiological and biochemical properties, such as in vivo, through the use of model plants; Likewise, the antimicrobial compounds they produce are analyzed, both metabolites and volatiles (Immaculate Sampedro and Fernando Martinez-Checa). On the other hand, the experience of Immaculate Flames in the area of cellular communication has allowed the group to develop a line that uses a novel strategy in the control of phytopathogens, the quorum quenching. This system, based on the production of enzymes and/or metabolites, interferes with cell communication of said pathogens and prevents the production of virulence factors; In addition, it avoids the use of antimicrobial compounds against which the development of resistance mechanisms is easy. Finally, through the construction of metagenomic libraries with DNA extracted from samples of hypersaline environments and their subsequent functional screening, clones with enzymatic activities of interest in agriculture are selected (Amalia Roca). The BIO 188 group also has a high transfer activity; in 2013 some of its members formed the spin off Xtrem Biotech (www.xtrembiotech.com)
Photography: in the bottom row and from left to right: Fernando Martínez-Checa, Victoria Béjar*, Laura Toral and Inmaculada Llamas. In the row above and from left to right: Ana del Moral, Inmaculada Sampedro*, Amalia Roca and Miguel Rodríguez*. An asterisk indicates the members of the group.