Summary of the research lines
- Biología y aplicaciones de microorganismos halofilos:
- Sistemas proteolíticos de arqueas halófilas: caracterización molecular y funcional.
- Regulación de la carotenogénesis en haloarqueas.
- Biofilms halofílicos y su utilización para degradar compuestos contaminantes.
- Quimiotaxis bacteriana, aspectos básicos y aplicados.
- Exploración y caracterización de compuestos bioactivos (carotenoides, antioxidantes, nanopartículas metálicas, bioplásticos, enzimas).
- Biología de la reproducción. Fisiología y criopreservación de la gameta masculina
- Fisiología de la gameta masculina
- Proteínas decapacitantes en mamíferos
- Criopreservación de espermatozoides de ovinos, peces (lenguado) y zánganos
- Generación de proteínas recombinantes para el desarrollo de medios de congelación/descongelación
Financial support:
- Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP)
- Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica
Members
Director
Rosana De Castro
Investigadora Principal CONICET - Profesor Adjunta UNMDP
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We study halophiles from a fundamental and applied perspective. We aim to discover the biological role and targets of membrane proteases in Haloferax volcanii, focusing on the regulation of carotenogenesis and protein glycosylation processes.
We investigate bacterial quimiotaxis (E.coli/Halomonas titanicae) and halophilic biofilms, we are interested in elucidating their impact on bioremediation of contaminants.
In addition, we are characterizing bioactive molecules derived from halophilic bacteria and archaea.
Co-director
Andreina Cesari
Investigadora Independiente CONICET - Profesora Adjunta UNMdP
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On the other hand, we are interested in the study of sperm physiology, particularly on secretory molecules from the male duct that regulate signaling events leading to the aquisition of fetilizing ability. We use this knowledge to develop cryopreservation protocols specie-specific. We are currently working with ovine, fish and drone sperm.
Dra María Ines Giménez
Investigadora Adjunta CONICET.
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Inés studies the intramembrane Rhomboid family of proteases in H. volcanii. She has constructed mutant strains deficient in these proteases to elucidate their function and natural targets. She also explores the production of metal nanoparticules in H. volcanii.
Dra Débora Nercessian
Investigadora Adjunta CONICET.
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Débora studies the production of molecules with potential biotechnological application produced by halophilic microorganisms: antioxidants, surfactants, metallic nanoparticles. She is also involved in research and extension activities on medicinal Cannabis.
Dra M Karina Herrera Seitz
Investigadora Adjunta CONICET.
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Karina performs molecular and biochemical studies on bacterial chemotaxis in the environmental isolate Halomonas titanicae KHS3. She is also characterizing PHB production pathways by H. titanicae KHS3 grown in different C sources.
Dra. Lucia Zalazar
Investigadora Asistente CONICET.
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Lucia is interested in the development of vitrification methods for flounder sperm for aquaculture and also in the study of the physiology of these cells.
Dr Roberto A. Paggi
Ayudante de primera, ded. Exclusiva.
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Roberto is involved in various subprojects from the lab, at present; he is participating in proteomics experiments performed in H. volcanii and the construction of H. volcanii suppressor mutants of the lethal lon phenotype.
Dra Micaela Cerletti
Becaria Postodoctoral CONICET.
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Micaela has constructed mutant strains in the archaeal LonB protease and has characterized them phenotypically and at the proteome level, at present, she explores the role of LonB in the regulation of carotenogenesis. Micaela also participates in the characterization of Bctr.
Dr. César N. Pegoraro
Becario postdoctoral CONICET.
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César studies phenanthrene degradation by haloarchaea and the metabolic pathways involved in this process. He also participates in the identification of molecules produced by these microorganisms with biotechnological interest, such as surfactants and antioxidants.
Lic. Juan Ignacio Solchaga
Becario postdoctoral CONICET.
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Juan Ignacio investigates microorganisms of saline sediments carrying out anaerobic respiration with different electronic acceptors.
Lic. Mariana I. Costa
Becaria Doctoral CONICET.
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Mariana has focused in analyzing the differential proteome map of wt vs a rhomboid protease mutant (RhoII) of H. volcanii, and then the validation of candidate substrates. Additionally, she is exploring the production of metal nanoparticules in H. volcanii.
Lic. María Celeste Ferrari
Becaria doctoral CONICET.
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Celeste has focused in the validation of potential LonB substrates, specifically in tubulin-like proteins and the role of LonB in cell shape determination and cell division. She has developed H. volcanii mutants strain silenced in the lon gene by CRISPRi.
Ingrid Redersdorff.
Tesista de grado.
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Ingrid is studing of PHB production by H.titanicae KHS3 growing on phenanthrene as the sole carbon source.
Agustín Rabino.
Tesista de grado UNMDP.
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Agustín is performing the Bs thesis and he is investigating the role of Bctr in the adaptation to stress conditions in H. volcanii. On the other hand, he aims to identify determinants in the enzyme phytoene synthase potentially involved in the regulation by LonB.
Lic. Anabella Rita Nicolli.
Becaria doctoral CONICET.
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Anabella studies the role of decapacitating proteins on signal transduction leading to capacitation in the mouse model. She produces recombinant proteins as biotechnological tools for livestock reproduction.
Lic. Micaela Belén Greco.
Becaria doctoral ANPCyT.
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Micaela characterizes the effect of the recombinant heterologous protein SPINK3 as supplement for freezing and thawing media of ram sperm.