1. Partner Search - Integrated Project

Type of project: Integrated Project
Type of partner: Public Research
Requested partner: Public Research, Industry, Governmental Institution

Keywords:
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Biological, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- Environmental Chemistry
- Molecular Aspects of New Materials, Macromolecules

Short project description:
Most of the current research on extremophiles is addressing either
thermophilic and hyperthermophilic micro-organisms coming from terrestrial
or deep-sea hot springs. New bacterial as well archaeal species were
described from these ecosystems and new insights on the biochemistry and
molecular biology of prokaryotes have been achieved.
Microbes from marine thermal sites grow in extremely sharp temperature
gradients and even in fluctuating conditions, such as during high and low
tide. The enzymes from such organisms would therefore be expected to have
unusually broad range of activity and thermostability. Unfortunately very
few species of moderate or broad-range thermophiles have been proven to be
cultivable nowadays. The isolation and cultivation of bacteria is a
prerequisite for the production of valuable compounds, such as lipids,
polisaccharides and enzymes.

Specific Information on the competence offered:
Chemistry and biology of extremophilic micro-organisms. Natural products and
chemistry of foods. Ecology of marine organisms. Biosynthesis and Chemistry
of pharmaceutical products.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Doctor Barbara Nicolaus
C.N.R.
Istituo di Chimica Biomolecolare sez. Napoli
via Campi Flegri 34
IT-80078 Pozzuoli (Na)
Italy
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel.: 00390818675245
Fax: 00390818041770
http://www.sunset.icmib.na.cnr.it