This laboratory is used by all research groups working at the Faculty of Science and Technology as laboratory for molecular microbiology. The laboratory is divided into two parts: the first one is dedicated to DNA handling and PCR making; the second for gel electrophoresis and band detection and/or cutting.

Research Focus

The laboratory of molecular microbiology is mainly focused on researches related to the “Microbial Resource Management” (MGM). MGM deals with the microbial resources present in our academic culture collection as well as in the natural alpine environment. The main challenge at present is to manage these microbial resources to address particular technological issues in a more efficient and sustainable way. First we need to handle the questions of who is there, who is doing what with whom and how can we modify, direct and drive these microbial communities and consortia. The Beijerinck dogma that all microorganisms are everywhere up to now sounds to be outdated, since microbial communities have to be seen as a cooperative continuum. MRM is at the basis of a number of new developments in domains such as:

• environmental safety linked to the antibiotic resistance gene spread in pristine mountain environments;
• tackling environmental cycles in cold environments like C, P, N management at forests sites as well as in high altitudes;
• provision of innovative services applied to new pollutant bioindication, water purification, plant growth promotion in cold soils, bioremediation of by-products and other pollutants;
• renewable energy production such as biomass fermentation and biogas production.

MRM is the most updated view of the environmental microbiology; multidisciplinary research based on MRM is highly considered by the scientific community worldwide. The knowledge of the microecosystems will give a better comprehension of the human impact on the mountain environment. The genetic structure of the microbial communities is strongly influenced by even little changes in the environmental parameters, allowing their use as bioindicators for pollution, climate changes, etc.
Finally, the microbial communities and consortia will be used to address biological issues arisen in the industrial sector. Such communities and consortia could be patented, allowing new start-up enterprises.

Main research aims are:

• Basic research on concepts & methodology in the applied and environmental microbial ecology;
• Microbial plant-growth promotion in forest and mountain environments;
• Gene flow and microbial adaptation at high altitude and cold environments;
• Geosphere-Biosphere interaction in forest and mountain environments;
• Bioremediation and by-product transformation and detoxification;
• Bioenergy from biomasses, by-products and waste;
• Artworks and material biodeterioration and biorestoration.

 

Main Instrumentation

The lab contains a laminar flow cabinet dedicated to PCR and molecular DNA/RNA processing. Dedicated refrigerators for microbiology and DNA/RNA storage; PCR thermal cyclers, microcentrifuges, a Qiagen Real Time PCR, D-Code DGGE gel electrophoresis, machineries for agarose and acrylamide gel electrophoresis, a UV gel electrophesis detection system (UV-Tec Technologies).

 

Location

Room E0.23

Head

Dr Lorenzo Brusetti

 

Research Focus

Molecular microbiology

Main Instrumentation

The lab contains a laminar flow cabinet dedicated to PCR and molecular DNA/RNA processing. Dedicated refrigerators for microbiology and DNA/RNA storage; PCR thermal cyclers, microcentrifuges, a Qiagen Real Time PCR, D-Code DGGE gel electrophoresis, machinery for agarose and acrylamide gel electrophoresis, a UV gel electrophoresis detection system (UV-Tec Technologies).

 

Location

BZ E0.23

Head

Lorenzo Brusetti