Coordinator

Lorenzo Brusetti

Team: Federica Piergiacomo, Atif Aziz Choudhury, Silvia Rosa

We explore the key microorganisms that drive the functioning of agricultural, forest, and mountain ecosystems to identify those that recycle chemical elements, resist or break down environmental contaminants, with a focus on sustainability and the One Health approach.

The mission of our agro-environmental microbiology laboratory is to explore the key role of microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, archaea, viruses) in shaping and contributing to the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems, with a particular focus on the agricultural and forest systems of South Tyrol, high mountain environments, alpine freshwater systems, and urban areas. Our motto is "Harnessing microbial science for a healthier planet."
Our path: Using advanced methodologies such as metagenomic sequencing and complex bioinformatic analytical systems, alongside classical approaches like quantitative PCR, microbial cultivation, and physiological characterization, we explore diverse environments to uncover the fundamental roles played by microorganisms.
Our research focuses on two key areas: enhancing the health of forests and agricultural systems through microbial activity and investigating the impact of climate change on the role of environmental microbiomes in high mountain regions. We examine how forest management practices influence soil dynamics, develop innovative compounds from wood residues to improve soil fertility, and study how glacial microorganisms contribute to soil formation.  

Our multidisciplinary approach also extends to public health within the One Health framework, where we investigate the spread of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance in collaboration with provincial prevention and hygiene offices, providing crucial insights for managing ecological and health-related challenges.  
We are committed to addressing the most pressing global challenges through innovative solutions and a multidisciplinary perspective. Collaborating with us offers access to cutting-edge techniques and a stimulating, creative environment. Together, we can drive impactful research that not only advances science but also safeguards the future of our planet.

Covered topics

We employ cultural and molecular methods to characterize environmental microbiomes, allowing for a detailed understanding of their composition and functions. The methods included metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Specific protocols have been developed for strain isolation and phenotypic characterization.
Main topics are:

• Isolation and characterization of environmental and agricultural bacterial and fungal strains.
• Detection of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes into the environment.
• Reconstruction of nutrient cycles into the environment, including nitrogen, carbon and heavy metals.
• Assessment of the biodegradative potential of complex molecules, including plastics, aromatic compounds and other xenobiotics.

Environments:

• Soil and plants, including bulk soil, rhizosphere and plant tissues.
• Freshwater including springs, bogs and lakes.
• Polluted soils, wastewaters and industrial setups (including fermenters and digesters).
• Atmosphere and indoor environments.
• Sediments, rock surfaces and sands.
• Gut systems, including rumen.                                                                                      

Instrumentation:

Oxford Nanopore MinION™ Mk1B DNA/RNA Sequencing Device: a portable and versatile sequencing platform for real-time analysis of DNA and RNA, enabling rapid and comprehensive genomic studies. Access to Illumina Shotgun sequencing is also available.
Dedicated Server for Bioinformatics Analysis: a robust server designed for post-processing bioinformatics analyses, featuring customized pipelines tailored to optimize data handling and analysis for our research needs.
PCR Thermal Cycler: an essential tool for amplifying DNA through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allowing for precise temperature control during the amplification process.
Real-Time PCR Thermal Cycler: a specialized thermal cycler designed for quantitative PCR (qPCR), providing real-time monitoring of DNA amplification for accurate quantification of target genes.
Microscopy: from optical to epifluorescence and confocal microscopy.
Biological and chemical hoods: safety equipment designed to protect users and samples from contamination while ensuring a sterile environment for handling biological and chemical substances.
Incubators: controlled environments for cultivating microbial cultures and conducting various biological experiments, providing optimal conditions for growth and development.
Biolog and Omnilog: for metabolomics analysis.
Air samplers: to sample atmospheric samples in controlled systems.