Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Manfred T. Reetz
Philipps-University Germany
Keynote: Increasing the Efficiency of Directed Evolution of Enzymes
Time : 10:10-10:40
Biography:
Manfred T. Reetz , former Director of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim, is currently emeritus Hans-Meerwein-Research-Professor at the University of Marburg/Germany. During the last 15 years his group has helped to shape the emerging field of directed evolution, especially in the quest to evolve stereoselective enzymes as catalysts in organic chemistry
Abstract:
Since its conception some time ago (M.T. Reetz, et al, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1997, 36, 2830-2832), the idea of directed evolution of stereoselective enzymes as a new approach to asymmetric catalysis has been generalized by us and other research groups to include essentially all of the known enzyme types, including hydrolases, reductases, oxygenases, transferases, and C-C bond forming enzymes such as aldolases, oxynitrilases and pyruvate decarboxylases. Since the screening step is the bottleneck of this type of Darwinian laboratory evolution, the real challenge is to obtain mutant libraries of highest quality requiring a minimum of screening effort. In this endeavor we have proposed iterative saturation mutagenesis (ISM), which has proven to be an extremely valuable tool. The lecture will focus on the newest methodology developments. Review of ISM: C. G Acevedo-Rocha, S. Kille, M. T. Reetz, Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1179, pp. 103-128, Humana Press, 2014; Perspective article of enzymes as catalysts in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry: M. T. Reetz, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 12480-12496.
Keynote Forum
W Tim Miller
Echelon Bioscience Inc, USA
Keynote: Trade secrets and laboratory security
Time : 10:40-11:10
Biography:
W Tim Miller has been the President/CEO of Echelon-Frontier since early 2002, one of Utah’s leading private biotech companies, directing multiple acquisitions, technology licenses, and product launches targeting pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial applications. He is recognized by the USA SBA for job creation and commercialization. His deep experience in building Fortune 500 divisions and successful business start-ups and exits, including IPO, in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical device markets is noteworthy. He has held many past Senior Management Positions including those at Wyeth, Marion Laboratories, and American Hospital Supply/Baxter. He has an MBA from University of Utah (UU) where he graduated first in class with honors and teaches as an adjunct. He was awarded Utah’s Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology in 2011.
Abstract:
Laboratory security and protection of trade secrets and proprietary company information is becoming more critical as insider, outsider and cyber-attack threats are mounting. Rapid technology advances and more globalized supply chains dramatically increase the threat to sensitive corporate information, data and know-how. Trade secrets protect information. The nature of their secrecy imparts competitive, economic and portfolio value. They may encompass a manufacturing process for example, cell growth conditions or successful cell line characteristics, unique synthesis prep, food or drink recipe, a search algorithm, a lubricant formula or a key supplier or customer list. Once a trade secret is obtained by a competitor or made public, its value is lost and that value may never be recovered. And the US Brookings Institution estimates ‘at least 50% and possibly as much as 85%’ of tech company value is attributable to intangible assets. In 2012, the US National Security agency estimated that US businesses lose $334 billion per year due to trade secret thefts and cyber-breaches, a number that is under-estimated as it does not account for costs businesses absorb to protect their secrets. The US FBI reported that during 2009-2013, theft of trade secret cases increased by more than 60%. The USA passed the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 to protect US companies from misappropriation of trade secrets for economic gain or to benefit foreign governments. The EU is actively involved in evaluating the growing threat of trade secret theft and potential EU response. A survey across EU countries showed that over the past ten years, 20% of the respondents experienced at least one attempt or act of misappropriation with 40% believing the risk has increased. Each EU country has some form of protection and effectiveness across member states but the protection varies. A 2012 EU study, European Commission-Roadmap on the Protection of Trade Secrets, offered a number of suggestions for improving trade secret protection including: Providing consistency as to the types of information that can be protected, Addressing difficulties in obtaining evidence of misuse and damage, Making available effective preliminary and effective final injunctions and Importance of providing for effective civil actions in addition to criminal activities. It was mentioned in the European Commission Study on Trade Secrets and Confidential Business Information in the Internal Market in April 2013 that ‘A consensus among economists has emerged that trade secrets play an important role in protecting the returns to innovation and that trade secret protection is an integral part of the overall system of protection available to EU firms to protect their intangible assets like patents and copyrights’. An actual case study will be presented with security measures implemented post discovery by the US FBI involvement and its judicial outcomes. Actual practices and suggestions will be presented which should be viewed as important investments to preserve and actually enhance value related to intellectual property and trade secrets in biotechnology companies.
Keynote Forum
Wilfried Schwab
Technische Universität München Germany
Keynote: Aroma glucoside production
Time : 11:30-12:00
Biography:
Prof. Schwab studied food chemistry at the University of Würzburg and did his doctorate in 1989. Following a postdoctoral stay at Washington State University, he spent three years working in Hoechst AG’s agriculture division. He returned to the University of Würzburg to complete his lecturer qualification in 1999. He worked in research after that, notably at Plant Research International in Wageningen (the Netherlands) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Seville (Spain). In 2003, he accepted a position at TUM. Prof. Schwab is a member of the BfR Committee for Genetically Modified Food and Feed.
Abstract:
Flavor is the sensory impression of a food and is determined mainly by the chemical senses of smell and taste. In plant derived food, a large fraction of the volatile compounds that may impart aroma (smell) are also present as non-volatile aroma glycosides. They have attracted much attention as antimicrobials and detergents but also as flavor precursors and taste modifiers. The glycosides are either extracted from plant materials or are synthesized by chemical and biocatalytic methods. Up to now, biotechnological production of aroma glycosides is based mainly on reversed hydrolysis performed by glycosidases or transglycosidases. However, these methods suffer from low yields and the excess of the starting materials.
- Track 1: Biotechnology in Healthcare
Location: Flemings Conference Hotel Room 7
Session Introduction
Guido Krupp
Amptec GmbH, Germany
Title: Synthetic mRNAs present a rapidly growing technology: Optimised tool for stem cell generation and for manipulating cellular phenotypes
Time : 12:00-12:25
Biography:
Guido Krupp is the CEO and President of Amptec GmbH. He received his PhD degree from Würzburg University & Max-Planck-Institute, Martinsried. He did his Post-Doctoral at Yale University. He is designated as a Research Group Leader at Kiel University. He is the Founder of Artus GmbH & Amptec GmbH. His research interests include nucleic acid technology with focus on RNA, plant pathogens (viroids), ribozymes and telomerase. He has published more than 60 publications and has been designated as an Editor of Ribozyme Biochemistry & Biotechnology, and of Telomeres, Telomerases & Cancer, and Editorial Board Member of Biotechnology Annual Review.
Abstract:
Availability of high quality synthetic mRNAs (syn-mRNAs) has enabled progress in their applications. Growing interest of private investors and big pharma has created a novel billion $ business. A rare situation was there in which two German enterprises are among the three top players in the field. Amptec recognizes its obligation to support new players by providing customized, high quality mRNA products. Requirements in the application of mRNA-mediated manipulation of cells were (i) expression of antigens in dendritic cells for vaccination in oncogenesis, infectious disease and allergy prevention; (ii) reprogramming of fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells with subsequent differentiation to the desired cell type; (iii) applications in gene therapy. A recent overview presents applications and corresponding syn-mRNA quality requirements. Syn-mRNAs can be generated by In-Vitro Transcription (IVT) from templates containing the synthetic gene. In principle, linearized plasmids can be used as templates. However, this procedure is hampered by several disadvantages such as incomplete plasmid cleavage resulting in poor reproducibility; and high amounts of plasmid DNA introducing undesired bacterial components with possible complications of in-vivo applications. Furthermore, optimal mRNA activity depends on a very long, unmasked poly (A) tail, ideally 120 nucleotides long. But, long homo-polymeric repeats are unstable in bacterial cells. We have developed an alternative procedure, with well defined PCR products as IVT-templates. This approach and detailed quality requirements for synthetic mRNAs are presented. Problems which were observed in IVT-based mRNA synthesis are shown, combined with problem solutions.
Soha M Hamdy
Fayoum University, Egypt
Title: Biochemical Studies on the Effect of Turmeric on Breast Cancer of Rats
Time : 12:25-12:50
Biography:
Soha Mohamed Hamdy has completed her PhD in 2001 from Fayoum University. Presently, she is a Professor in Faculty of Science - Chemistry Department at Fayoum University, Egypt
Abstract:
Chemoprevention is regarded as one of the most promising and realistic approaches in the prevention of toxic effects of carcinogenic compounds. In this study, we investigated the chemoprevention efficacy of turmeric for 120 days against a single dose of (10 mg/rat) 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA). 60 rats were divided into four groups, 15 for each: Group I: Control; Group II: Injected with DMBA that induces mammary carcinoma; Group III treated with 5% turmeric before and after injection with DMBA; Group IV treated with 5% turmeric only as control 2 and the treatments were daily administered for 4 months. At the end of experiment the animals were sacrificed under anesthesia and their sera were used for evaluation; markers of tumorigenicity (serum levels of total sialic acid (TSA) and carcinoembryonic antigen); markers of endocrine derangement (serum prolactin and estradiol) and markers of oxidative stress (MDA for lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and total antioxidant). The breast tissues were investigated for malignancy. Results showed statistical significant elevation of malondialdhyde (MDA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), total sialic acid, prolactin, estradiol and nitric oxide also statistical significant decrease in body weight and total antioxidant in serum of DMBA treated rats as compared with control group but administration of turmeric was associated with decreased levels of tumorigenicity, endocrine derangement and oxidative stress. Histopathological examination revealed the formation of tumor in DMBA-induced rats and these abnormal changes were ameliorated in the rats supplemented with turmeric. In conclusion, these results suggested that supplementation of diet with turmeric provided antioxidant defense with chemopreventive activity against DMBA-induced mammary tumors.
Hattem M Mekky
University of Alexandria Egypt
Title: Biological activity of elicited Echinacea purpurea suspension cultures
Time : 13:50-14:15
Biography:
Lecturer, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria and the organiser of the Biotechnology unit in the School of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria. Visitor lecturer for 3 months on yearly basis in Oman Assistant Pharmacists institute. Awarded the degree of Bachelor (1999) and Master (2003) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from The Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt in 2003. Awarded the degree of PhD (2009) in Tissue Culture and Genetic Engineering from The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK. Research interests in phytochemistry, biosynthesis, pharmacology and biotransformation of chemicals using medicinal plants and the comparison between secondary metabolite profiles of wild plants and those produced by plant tissue culture.
Abstract:
Chitosan, phenyl alanine (Phe) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) significantly increased the production of polyphenolics in suspension cultures of E. purpurea initiated on MS supplemented with 1.5 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L NAA. However, cultures elicited with 4 mM copper sulphate (CuSO4) possessed the highest EC100 in cytotoxicity experiments. Furthermore, Phe, MeJA, CuSO4 and chitosan significantly increased ABTS scavenging properties. Additionally, MeJA and Phe extracts stimulates the phagocytic and yeast intracellular killing activities of PMN and Finally, the anti-inflammatory properties of MeJA elicited cultures were the highest and were displayed by its strongest nitric oxide scavenging activity with an EC50 6.3 µg/ml and the most powerful inhibition of lymph proliferative activity induced by lipopolysaccharides with an EC50 4.5 µg/ml.
Yung-Chih Kuo
National Chung Cheng University Taiwan
Title: Rescuing apoptotic neurons from Alzheimer’s disease using wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated and cardiolipin-conjugated liposomes with encapsulated nerve growth factor and curcumin
Time : 14:15-14:40
Biography:
Dr. Yung-Chih Kuo is a professor at the Department of Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University. His research interests are focused on biomaterials, drug delivery system, tissue engineering, blood–brain barrier, stem cell differentiation, nerve regeneration, cancer therapy, Alzheimer’s disease treatment, biophysics, and colloid and interface science. In these fields, he has authored or coauthored over 100 SCI journal papers. He won Young Scholar Award in 2003 and Outstanding Research Award in 2010-13. He is also an associate editor of J. Taiwan Inst. Chem. Eng. (Impact factor 2.637) and an editorial board member in 11 international journals.
Abstract:
Liposomes with cardiolipin (CL) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) were developed to permeate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and treat Alzheimer’s disease. WGA-conjugated and CL-incorporated liposomes (WGA-CL-liposomes) were employed to transport nerve growth factor (NGF) and curcumin (CUR) across a monolayer of human brain-microvascular endothelial cells regulated by human astrocytes and to protect SK-N-MC cells against apoptosis induced with β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ1-42) fibrils. An increase in the CL mole percentage in lipids increased the liposomal diameter, absolute value of zeta potential, entrapment efficiency of NGF and CUR, release of NGF, biocompatibility, and viability of SK-N-MC cells with Aβ1-42, however, decreased the atomic ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus and release of CUR. In addition, an increase in the WGA concentration for grafting enhanced the liposomal diameter, atomic ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus, and permeability for NGF and CUR across the BBB, however, reduced the absolute value of zeta potential and biocompatibility. WGA-CL-liposomes carrying NGF and CUR can be promising colloidal delivery carriers to target the BBB and inhibit neurotoxicity for future clinical application.
Essam F A Al-Jumaily
Baghdad University, Iraq
Title: Extraction and purification of extracellular glucosyltransferase (GTFs) from Streptococcus mutans serotype C isolate (H5)
Time : 14:40-15:05
Biography:
Prof. Dr. Essam Fadel A. Al-Juamily .Academic Qualification: Ph.D. degree: 1989, Biochemistry Dept. (Enzymology), Southampton University, U.K. Research Interests are Microbial Biotechnology; Enzyme Biotechnology; Biosafety and Biotechnology and Purification of Biotechnology materials with downstream production and Published 225 scientific research papers.
Abstract:
These isolates were tested for production of extracellular Glucosyltransferase (GTF) through determination of their enzyme specific activity. All isolates were able to produce the enzyme; Streptococci isolate (H5) which identified as Streptococcus mutans serotype C was selected as the best producible isolate for GTF with a specific activity of 2.6 U/mg. It was found that GTF of the chosen isolate (H5) was produced during the middle stationary phase (18-35 hours) and its maximal productivity was reached at 22 hours. Purification of S. mutans serotype (C) H5 GTF were done by ammonium sulfate, ion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sephacel column) and gel-filtration chromatography using Sepharose 6B column. The best percent saturation use for precipitating GTF by ammonium sulfate was 20-40% with specific activity 2.4 U/ml. Two purified GTF enzymes (GTF-I and GTF-II) were detected with specific activity 35.5 U/mg, 8.3 U/mg after 96.1 and 22.6 fold of purification respectively with yield 17.2%. Determination of purified GTF (GTF-I, GTF-II) molecular weight was done by using gel-filtration chromatography (sepharose 6B) column with presence of standards proteins. It was found that the molecular weight of GTF-I, GTF-II was 125819, 112201 Dalton respectively.
K Banu Köse
Istanbul Medipol University, Turkey
Title: The role of the patient specific vascular geometry and blood flow dynamics for vascular treatments
Time : 17:30-17:55
Biography:
K Banu Köse has published her MSc thesis on blood flow dynamics. She has published papers on medical imaging and computational blood flow dynamics. She is a PhD candidate of Biomedical Engineering at Istanbul Medipol University and Project Manager of Sidre Consulting about Cardiovascular Surgical Planning Solutions. She is teaching Medical Imaging Techniques at Istanbul Medipol University and is the Owner of the first website of Cardiovascular Mechanics Engineering News
Abstract:
Computational methods and three-dimensional imaging techniques have enabled the quantification of cardiovascular mechanics in vascular treatments especially for individual cases as congenital subjects. Biomechanical models based on multi-slice based on medical imaging, could provide more data about physiologic results of blood flow. The objective of this study is examining the mechanical effects of the blood flow which is relevant to the geometric topology of the arteries. The analysis includes tomography images of patients, codes of computer aided design and computational fluid dynamics. The realistic volume of the arteries of the patients obtained from DICOM by image segmentation methods. The geometry meshed by finite element models. The blood flow is recreated by defining boundary conditions of patients in the clinical results. Two sample which were taken were, a stenosed and a normal artery of eleven years old patients and was explored by pressure and wall shear stress distributions. In different artery profiles, wall shear stress, pressure and velocity results were siginificantly different. However, in the crititcal regions, the arterial wall was in the risk of deformation after narrowness in the lumen. Modeling and simulating depicted evident information about mechanical effects of blood flow. Understanding the flow regions and effects in different regions were, the most effective and productive treatments which were particular for the patient and could be chosen by realistic modeling and simulation. However, comparing biomaterials, examining tools and developing better designs will be the goal for medical researches and for the benefits of the patients.
Alexei A Yeliseev
National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse USA
Title: Human cannabinoid receptor CB2: Expression, functional and structural studies
Biography:
Alexei Yeliseev received his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1987 from the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow and did his postdoctoral research in enzymology in Marburg, Germany and in molecular biology and biochemistry in Cambridge, UK. After moving to US in1993 he worked as a Research Fellow at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and as a Senior Scientist at Hoffmann-La Roche and later, at Kosan Biosciences, Inc. He later moved to the National Institutes of Health where he currently heads the protein biochemistry group developing technologies for expression, purification, and analysis of recombinant G protein-coupled receptors. In addition to his research work he serves as a member of editorial board of Protein Expression and Purification and Journal of Receptor, Ligand and Channel Research
Abstract:
The human cannabinoid receptor CB2 belongs to the class A of hepta helical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and is an attractive target for the development of drugs for management of pain, inflammation, osteoporosis and treatment of immunological disorders. High resolution structural studies are critical to obtain insights into the molecular mechanisms of ligand binding and activation of CB2. We developed methods for expression in milligram quantities, purification, reconstitution in lipid bilayers and stabilization of the functional recombinant CB2 as well as efficient stable isotope labeling of CB2 by high density fermentation were developed enabling NMR studies. NMR analysis of labeled receptor reconstituted in proteoliposomes in agonist or inverse-agonist-bound form will be reported. Monoclonal antibodies were raised against the purified CB2 and the affinity of interaction with CB2 was determined by surface plasmon resonance. Finally, we demonstrate the specific effects of lipids with negatively charged head group in activation of CB2 reconstituted in proteoliposomes as measured by an in vitro G protein activation which may have important physiological significance as manifested in natural membranes of various lipid compositions.
Lekshmi R Nath
Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, India
Title: 4-O-Methylgallic acid isolated from the leaves of the mistletoe growing on Saraca asoca induces caspase-mediated apoptosis in cervical cancer cells via down-regulation of HPV
Biography:
Lekshmi R Nath obtained her MPharm from K L E Society’s college of Pharmacy. Currently she is pursuing her PhD in Biotechnology at Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala, India. She has published more than 5 papers in reputed journal.
Abstract:
Cervical cancer, the second most common gynecological malignancy remains a leading cause of cancer death in women in developing countries. The major etiologic factor for cervical cancer is high-risk HPV infection. Several studies indicate that the E6 and E7 gene products play a critical role in cervical carcinogenesis. Medicinal plants have gained much importance in the development of new cancer treatment strategies and extracts derived from mistletoe have been shown to kill cancer cells in vitro. We have isolated 4-O-Methylgallicacid (4-OMGA) from the mistletoe growing on Saraca asoca which induces apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Among various cervical cancer cells screened the compound exhibited maximum cytotoxicity in HeLa (IC50-17 µg/ml) followed by SiHa (IC50-37 µg/ml) both of which are HPV positive cells while the cytotoxicity was comparatively less in the HPV negative cell line C33A (IC50-91 µg/ml). The compound induces apoptosis is HeLa as evidenced by caspase activation and PARP cleavage. We also observed that the compound is down-regulating the expression of E6 /E7 (both RNA and protein level) in HeLa cells in a dose dependent manner.
- Environmental Biotechnology
Location: Flemings Conference Hotel
Session Introduction
Shree Kumar Apte
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, India
Title: Genetic engineering of Deinococcus radiodurans for uranium bioremediation from high radiation environment
Time : 15:05-15:30
Biography:
Shree Kumar Apte, a Former Director of Bio-Science Group, BARC, is currently Emeritus Professor at the Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India. His laboratory has extensively studied stress and adaptive responses in bacteria and plants in response to agricultural stresses and ionizing radiation and developed eco-friendly biotechnologies for agricultural and environmental applications. He is an elected fellow of all the national science academies and agriculture academy in India and has over 170 research publications in high impact international journals to his credit
Abstract:
In nature, uranium occurs over a wide range of concentrations and is generally toxic to all living cells. Exploitation of uranium by the nuclear industry generates acid/alkaline waste, wherein uranium is found at low (<1-2mM) concentration. Removal of even such low concentrations of uranium is desirable for safe disposal of the waste, but is difficult to achieve by physico-chemical methods. Bioremediation, especially bio-precipitation as uranyl phosphate, is an efficient way to remove uranium from such waste, where high levels radiations also prevail. The radio-resistant microbe, Deinococcus radodurans, was genetically manipulated to individually over-express acid and alkaline phosphatases using deinococcal strong promoters, including the radiation-induced Pssb promoter. Lyophilization was successfully employed to preserve both the phosphatase activities and uranium precipitation ability of recombinant cells up to 1 year at ambient temperature. Such cells could remove 7-11 g U/g dry weight of the biomass
Gabriela Briceno
Universidad de La Frontera, Chile
Title: Selection of an actinobacteria consortium for enhancing diazinon degradation
Time : 15:50-16:15
Biography:
Gabriela Briceno Munoz has completed her PhD in Natural Resource Sciences at the age of 31 years from Universidad de La Frontera (Chile). She has developed research in environmental biotechnology like studies of pollutants degradation by actinobacteria and environmental fate of pesticides. Currently, she is a Researcher in the Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus and Professor of the Department of Chemical Science and Natural Resources. She is author of chapters of books, several scientific publications and regularly is working as Referee for scientific journals
Abstract:
The biological treatment of pesticides constitutes a promising alternative for a safe, efficient and economical elimination of pesticides. In this way, biological treatments for removing organophosphorus pesticides, toxic and worldwide used pesticides from contaminated matrices are needed. The aim of this work was to select an actinobacteria consortium to enhance the diazinon degradation. For this, organophosphorus-degrading actinobacteria identified as Streptomyces sp. strains AC5, AC6, AC7, AC9, GA3, GA11, ISP4 and ISP13 were used. In 30 mL of minimal medium containing 50 mg L-1 diazinon as only carbon source, single strains of actinobacteria were added. After 96 hours of incubation, microbial growth, intracellular protein content, protein profile and the concentration of diazinon and their metabolite 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol (IMHP) were analyzed. The results showed that biomass and protein content increased with the diazinon addition. Thus, some of the actinobacteria showed prominent bands of proteins enhanced in response to diazinon application. About 10-30% of diazinon degradation for single actinobacteria was observed and only three strains showed IMHP production. However, when mixed cultures of two, three, four and five actinobacteria strains were evaluated, the diazinon degradation was increased reaching values close to 90%. The quadruple culture composed by the strains AC5, AC9, GA11 and ISP13 presented the best diazinon degradation which occurs during the first 72 hours with a decrease of IMHP over time. Therefore, we conclude that the selected actinobacteria consortium is a promising alternative to increase the diazinon degradation.
Heidi Schalchli
Universidad de La Frontera, Chile
Title: Natural products of Anthracophyllum discolor: Ligninolytic enzymes and antifungal volatile compounds
Time : 16:15-16:40
Biography:
Heidi Schalchli has completed her PhD from Universidad de La Frontera. She is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN) and Teacher at the Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de La Frontera
Abstract:
White-rot fungi play important roles in ecosystems mainly because of their extracellular enzymatic system and their production of chlorinated aromatic compounds that act as decomposers of organic matter, antibiotics for protecting fungi, methyl donors and/or substrates for H2O2-generating oxidases. In this study, we evaluated the production of ligninolytic enzymes and antifungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by A. discolor Sp4 using Potato Peels (PP) and Discarded Potato (DP) as nutritional support. The manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) was evaluated by monitoring the oxidation of 2, 6-dimethoxyphenol. Beside the production of MnP, the discoloration of remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR) was also determined using a qualitative assay. The antifungal activity of VOCs against Mucor miehei and Fusarium oxysporum was evaluated using a bi-compartmented plate assay. Finally, VOCs released from mycelial cultures were analyzed by headspace solid phase micro-extraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The highest MnP and MiP activities (163 U L-1 and 24 U L-1) were obtained at day 15 of incubation and a complete RBBR discoloration was observed. Although both potato wastes supported the ligninolytic activity, a higher MnP activity was obtained using PP than DP. The A. discolor volatiles inhibited approximately 62% and 76% the mycelial growth of M. miehei on PP agar and DP agar media, respectively. Nevertheless, the plant pathogen F. oxysporum was slightly inhibited (approximately 10%). The major VOCs detected were chlorinated aromatic compounds (over 50% relative area). The obtained natural products have multiple biotechnological applications among which are pollutant degradation and plant protection.
Sandra Borkowska-Heurtaux
Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland
Title: The influence of growth conditions (temperature and oxygen supply) on manganese (II) sorption by viable and autoclaved Lactococcus lactis var. lactis NCIMB 6681
Time : 16:40-17:05
Biography:
Sandra Borkowska-Heurtaux completed her BSc (Hons) and MPhil and is a final year PhD student at Glasgow Caledonian University. Currently, she is working on biosorption of manganese and zinc by Lactococcus lactis var. lactis, Natrinema pallidum, Hydrodictyon reticulatum and Cladophora glomerata using microbiology and analytical chemistry methods. Prior to beginning the PhD program, she worked as a Research Associate at Edinburgh Napier University. Her work focused on microbial testing to prove efficacy of advanced disinfectant against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae and Salmonella typhimurium. Her areas of interest include microbiology, biotechnology, genetics and molecular biology.
Abstract:
Manganese (II) is an essential element required for normal growth and development of humans, animals and plants, however it has a tendency to accumulate in some organisms, what leads to higher, potentially toxic, level within the food chain. Mn2+ sorption properties of Lactococcus lactis var. lactis, a non-pathogenic bacterium widely used in the dairy industry were studied as a function of four growth conditions: Cells were cultivated aerobically and with reduced oxygen at 30° C and 37° C. Additionally, biosorption properties of live and autoclaved cells were compared. L. lactis showed very competitive capability to sorb Mn2+ over 5 days and pH drifts in the experimental suspensions demonstrated an involvement of ion exchange mechanisms in Mn2+ sorption. Viability of L. lactis during sorption experiments was studied by serial dilutions and plate count methods with the biggest decrease in a cell numbers observed at 24 and 72 hours contact time. Sorption capacity of live L. lactis cultivated under four different conditions towards Mn (II) ranged 34-50 mg/gdw. Autoclaved biomass showed much lower sorption capacity (20-39 mg/gdw) but this range is among the highest removal capacities towards Mn2+ seen in previous studies using various (non-living) biomasses. The obtained results are the first report showing Mn2+ sorption by viable and autoclaved cells of L. lactis as a function of different growth conditions and metal loadings. It is also among the first work investigating the difference between viable and dead microbial cells.
Hela Ben Amor-Ben Ayed
Centrale Supelec Paris, France
Title: Biosorption of magnesium in Chlorella vulgaris under different culture conditions
Time : 17:05-17:30
Biography:
Hela Ben Amor-Ben Ayed is pursuing her PhD. She obtained an Engineering Diploma in Biology from the National School of Engineering of Sfax, Tunisia which she followed with a Master’s on Environmental Biotechnology from the Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax. During her Master’s degree, she worked on potable water treatment in Paris. She has submitted 3 manuscripts during her PhD in reputed journals, the first one of which has been published
Abstract:
A study investigating the accumulation of magnesium by Chlorella vulgaris under different culture conditions is described. The dissolved and biomass-associated concentrations of magnesium were measured with atomic absorption spectroscopy during the course of C. vulgaris growth under autotrophic or mixotrophic conditions both in shake-flask (100 mL) and photo-bioreactor (5 L) cultures. The adsorbed (extracellular) and absorbed (intracellular) ions associated with the biomass were determined using adapted published methods. During the experiments, a clear relationship between the growth extent of C. vulgaris and magnesium removal from the medium was observed. In an autotrophic shake-flask culture with a medium concentration of 19.1 mg Mg2+/L, 78% of the initial magnesium content of the medium was associated with the biomass, of which 6% was adsorbed on the cell wall and 72% absorbed into cells at the end of the experiment (480 hours). In a mixotrophic photo-bioreactor culture with glucose (10%) as the sole organic carbon source, C. vulgaris accumulate 90% of the initial magnesium content of the growth medium, of which 4% was adsorbed on the cell wall and 86% absorbed by the biomass. Magnesium association with C. vulgaris was faster and more extensive under mixotrophic conditions. These results could be interesting for the accumulation of metal ions by microalgae on an industrial scale.