Biotechnology

Research topics:

• biotechnological application of yeast, especially the Yarrowia lipolytica species (biosynthesis of: organic acids (citric, isocitric, succinic, α-ketoglutaric, pyruvic), polyols (mannitol, erythritol), lipid and lipid derivatives; production of biosurfactants; Bioremediation of soil contaminated with petroleum compounds; characterization of: the erythritol biosynthesis pathway, glycerol and sugar metabolism regulation, cell wall biosynthesis

• biotechnological utilization of filamentous fungi, especially the Trichoderma genus (production of lytic enzymes (cellulases, xylanases, glucanases, chitinases); degradation of lignocellulosic waste; utilization of fungal preparations in biocontrol)

• biotechnological utilization of bacteriophages (protection of animals against bacterial infections; influence of bacteriophages on poultry gastrointestinal microbiome)

• biotechnological utilization of plants; genetic engineering of flax to improve its functional properties

• metabolic engineering of microorganisms, especially yeasts and filamentous fungi (improvement of the native metabolic pathways (erythritol biosynthesis, lipid biosynthesis); increasing the range of available substrates for biotechnological processes; introduction of heterologous pathways for biosynthesis of lipids and their derivatives; improvement of cellulolytic properties of filamentous fungi)

• waste management of the agro-food industry and their application as substrates in biotechnological processes

• chemical and enzymatic modifications of the structure of natural phospholipids, lipophilization of biologically active compounds in terms of increasing their bioavailability in biological systems, development of nanostructured lipid carriers effective in the delivery systems of substances with confirmed therapeutic activity, development of effecient formulations in the treatment and prevention of cancer, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases

• biotechnological methods of obtaining dietary supplements

• development of new, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly methods for the synthesis of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, steroids, phospholipids, proteins, terpenes, lactones)

• application of biocatalysis (whole cells of microorganisms, isolated enzymes and chemo-enzymatic reactions)
  
  
• isolation of natural products with green solvents (DES
• screening of microorganisms with specific activity and studying their metabolic pathways
  
  
• determination of physico-chemical properties of compounds and the influence of their structure on biological activity
  
  
• examination of antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hemolytic activity
  
  
• studies of compounds interaction with biological membranes and biomolecules
  
  
• looking for new lipid carriers of anti-cancer active compounds in targeted therapy
  
  
• analysis of the molecular mechanism of action of bioactive compounds on cells
  
  
• application of plant extracts for isolation of bioactive compounds with potential use as dietary supplements and nutraceuticals
  
  
• biorefining of agri-food by-products as a valuable and renewable source of functional food additives.

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE UPWR BASE OF KNOWLEDGE

Keywords: Yarrowia lipolytica, Trichoderma, bacteriophages, lipids, erythritol, mannitol, citric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, flax, metabolic engineering, agro-food waste, phospholipids, nanostructured lipid carriers, biologically active compounds, dietary supplements, prevention of cancer, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, biocatalysis, microbiological transformations, chemo-enzymatic reactions, fermentation processes, chirality, isolation of natural products, bioactive compounds (polyphenols, phospholipids, steroids, proteins, terpenes, lactones), green chemistry, green solvents (Deep Eutectic Solvents), interaction of compounds with biological membranes, the mechanism of action of bioactive compounds, lipid membrane models, biological activity (antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hemolytic, antifeedant), anticancer compounds in targeted therapy, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, functional food, biorefining of agri-food by-products, valorisation of plant-derived waste, pharmaceutical, agri-food and cosmetics industry