Current research projects

DS-FR-19-0008 Metal microorganisms’ interactions as a basis for progressive biotechnological processes (2020-2022)

Microbes and metals interact at all spatial scales for centuries. Metals support microbial growth by providing essential nutrients, and microbial activity alters metal solubility and their oxidation state. Nowadays, when our reliance on metals increases, so too does their amount in the environment and living systems. Knowledge of metal-microbe interactions and the consequences of these interactions is necessary to understand metal resistance mechanisms of microorganisms which seem to be closely connected to antibiotic resistance. Only based on the knowledge of  detoxification mechanisms used by microorganisms to reduce the heavy metal toxicity it is possible to develop efficient and environmentally friendly (bio)technologies for metal remediation from the particular parts of the environment. The main aim of the project is to study selected highly metal-polluted environments in the context of microbial populations and subsequent understanding of detoxification mechanisms use in development of biotechnologies suitable for metal removal from the environment. Unique combination of knowledge of three partners from the field of technology and microbiology can guarantee achieving of proposed aims.

SK-PL-18-0012 New microorganisms isolated from mining environment for application in metal bioleaching from selected electronic waste.

Metal polluted environment represents high risk for surrounding environments as well as for human health. On the other hand it can serve as a source of interesting microorganisms that can be used in the developing of innovative biotechnological methods focused on environmental clean-up or processing of various raw materials. According to our knowledge it is obvious that biotechnology will play a key role in extraction, processing and recycling of critical raw materials in future because it allows economical exploitation of low grade ores and recovery of metals from new resource – waste, as well. The aim of the project is to search for new species of microorganisms suitable for bioleaching in metal polluted environment and apply them to bioleaching of In and Sn from selected electronic waste. The combination of both partners knowledge from microbiology and metallurgy is a precondition to reach project´s objectives successfully.