Projects

List Of Projects

Research projects in progress:

  • NCN OPUS 2014/13/B/NZ9/02442 Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose – search for new cellulase complexes

The aim of the research is to determine the mechanism and kinetics of hydrolysis of cellulose using cellulolytic enzymes isolated from selected insect species. The most efficient enzymatic system hydrolysing cellulose are planed to be selected, and the following research hypotheses will be confirmed or rejected.

These are as follows:

The complexes of cellulases from different insect species and different developmental stages (larvae, imagoes) have different profiles of enzyme composition and activity.
The cellulolytic enzymes in the alimentary tract of insects exhibit greater affinity to cellulose than enzymes collected from fungi.
The cellulolytic enzymes from insects affect structural changes in cellulose, i.e. crystallinity, the degree of polymerisation, size of crystallites.

  • NCN OPUS 2014/15/B/NZ9/02169 Biochemical, physiological and anatomical factors modifying susceptibility of sweet corn to infection caused by Fusarium spp.

The interdisciplinary character of this project includes advanced molecular, physiological and biochemical analyses in combination with the phenotypic characterization of different cultivars of sweet corn under field conditions (during artificial and natural infection).

  • 2014/15/B/NZ9/02172 Phytoremediation capability of native trees and shrubs species growing on extremely contaminated with trace metals and metalloids post-flotation sediments

The aim of the project is to determine the capability to alive selected native tree and scrub species cultivated on the substrates extremely contaminated with trace metals and metalloids (especially As and Cu 27 and 4 g kg-1 dry weight, respectively), supported by the analysis of a range of adaptation mechanisms and detrimental effects in both the most tolerant and the most sensitive ones.

The main research hypotheses are:

Among tested species of native trees and shrubs there are able to survive/stay alive on soil extremely contaminated with trace metals and metalloids (tolerant plants).
Survive of tolerant plants will be possible by a range of defense reactions activation including: (1) increased biosynthesis of organic acids able to bound and chelate trace metals and metalloids in rhizosphere, (2) increased synthesis of phytochelatins and glutathione – key chelators of trace metals and metalloids in cytosol, (3) accumulation of toxic, tested metals and metalloids mostly in relatively less active cell structures as cell wall, vacuole and rather low amounts in other organelles like, e.g. nucleus, chloroplasts or mitochondria, (4) remodeling of cell wall structure and composition for increased capacity/capablity to boundtoxic trace metals and metalloids and/or limitation of their penetration the protoplast.
Tolerant plants species will indicate much less detrimental effects than sensitive ones.

  • NCN OPUS 2012/07/B/NZ9/02385 The complex of diversity for evaluation of different wheat cultivars based on quantitative determination of metabolites they contain depend on diffrent breeding systems

The main objective of the research was to determine the detailed metabolic profiles for selected 30 varieties most commonly grown wheat cultivars in Poland. The metabolomics profiles was to developed as a matrix consisting of elements such as groups A and B trichothecenes, ergosterol, ATP, Real Time PCR, total phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, anti-oxidants, tocopherols, volatile compounds, flavonoids, fatty acids, heavy metals, microbiology, yield structure. It is planned to link the matrix to the matrix analyzed genetic variations. These objectives are to be achieved 4 variants, namely the control samples, inoculated with fungi of the genus Fusarium, inoculated fungi of the genus Fusarium and optimum protection chemical treated and the plots grownin the organic system.

 

NCN OPUS 2013/11/B/NZ9/01788 The role of selected metabolites RR (resistance related) from the group of flavonoids and phenolic acids in biosynthesis of trichothecenes with Fusarium culmorum and F. graminearum (supervisor dr hab. Tomasz Kulik, Warmia and Mazury University in Olsztyn 2014-2017).

This study for the first time in literature showed the capacity of fungi from the genus Fusarium to produce phenolic acids. Increased contents of phenolic acids in samples of grain with high levels of infestation by fungi from the genus Fusarium are caused not only by the overproduction of phenolic acids by plant cells as a response to the stress factor, but also by the fact that fungi from the genus Fusarium may synthesise phenolic acids. t-cinnamic and chlorogenic acids are inhibitors of mycotoxins formation (from the group of trichothecenes). t-cinnamic acid stimulates ERG production, while chlorogenic acid has a negative effect on its synthesis.

 

Other projects:

  • 3 P06L 034 24 Non-toxic wood impregnation agents with the use of animal protein and organic compounds.
  • N N309 071736 Potential for extension of wood durability using organosilanes in protectants and stains.
  • PO IG 01.01.02-00-074/09 Biotechnological conversion of glycerol to polyols and dicarboxylic acids.
  • 21/2004/JG Estimation of selected metallic trace elements influence at indicator plants level of environmental stress in aquatic ecosystem.
  • N N310 3218 33 The physiological bases of calcium and magnesium ions contribution in remediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals with use of Salix viminalis.
  • N N305 045836 PAH degradation and heavy metals accumulation by fungi focused in use of them in soils and sewages remediation.
  • N N305 372538 Bioaccumulation of heavy metals by mushrooms as a measure of environment contamination.
  • N R12 0065 10 Cultivation of Salix species at wastelands and degraded and chemically polluted areas in order to effective biomass production, constructional and energetic resource and phytoremediation of environment.
  • N N310 3218 33 Physiological effect of Ca:Mg ratio on Salix viminalis used in phytoremediation of soil polluted with heavy metals.
  • N N310 301 934 Susceptibility of significant winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestinum) to Fusarium head blight and mycotoxins accumulation in seeds.
  • N N310 170 933 Mycotoxins production and oxidative stress of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) as a result of diversity of fungal pathogens of Fusarium genus.
  • N N305 042636 Physiological reaction of selected plant species to troposheric ozone.
  • N N305 372438 Remediation of PAHs, PCB and BTEX contaminated soil contaminated using substrates from mushroom cultivation.
  • N N305 045 836 Degradation of PAHs and heavy metals accumulation by white-rotting fungi and their potential in remediation of soil and wastewater.
  • 2PO6S06126 The influence of metallic trace elements on the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in wetland plants.
  • N N 305165537 Zearalenone and its derivatives in the elements of the aquatic ecosystem as a result of water pollution caused by the presence of toxigenic fungi in crops and products of their metabolism – estrogenic mycotoxins.
  • N N310301934 Susceptibility – Important of agriculture – of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars to scab and mycotoxin accumulation in kernels.
  • NCN SONATA 2012/07/D/NZ9/01004 Assessment of the possibility of microscopic fungi and mycotoxins in eggs obtained from various laying systems
  • NCN SONATA 2012/07/D/NZ9/00996 Assessment of hazard posed by poultry house air pollution with volatile organic compounds and pathogenic microorganisms in Poland.

 

Contact person

izabela.ratajczak@up.poznan.pl

piotrg@up.poznan.pl