LABORATORY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY

Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agriculture and Food Biotechnology – State Research Institute

Manager:
Edyta Juszczuk-Kubiak, D.Sc. prof. IBPRS-PIB
phone: 22 606 36 36
mobile: +48 604 460 342
e-mail: edyta.juszczuk-kubiak@ibprs.pl

Team:
Michał Wójcicki M.Sc. 
e-mail: michal.wojcicki@ibprs.pl
phone: 22 606 36 36, mobile: +48 791 259 435

Monika Kowalczyk M.Sc. 
e-mail: monika.akimowicz@ibprs.pl
phone: 22 606 36 36

Paulina Średnicka M.Sc.
e-mail: paulina.grzelak@ibprs.pl
tel. 22 606 36 36

The Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Engineering within the Department of Microbiology was established in November 2020 for the needs of research and development conducted at IBPRS-PIB related to biotechnology, systems biology, genomics and genetic engineering. The research conducted in the laboratory uses innovative “omics” technologies, i.e. high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS), including genome and transcriptome analyzes, proteomic and metabolomic analyzes using mass spectrometry (LC / MS), as well as the latest genomic engineering methods based on CRISPR / Cas enabling targeted and precise editing of the genome based on cisgenesis and recombination of DNA with the use of expression vectors. Activities in the field of innovative research are focused on the development strategies of the food market aimed at producing healthy food, oriented, inter alia, at the prevention of human civilization diseases.

The research activity of the Laboratory includes:

• identification and functional analysis of the metagenome and metatranscriptome of microorganisms and their metabolites for potential application in industrial biotechnology,
• evaluation of the effects of genetic modification at the level of expression systems with the use of reporter proteins to optimize the metabolic activity of industrial microorganisms,
• functional genetic modification of microorganisms, including overexpression of functional proteins, as well as the interaction of microorganisms with eukaryotic cells,
• assessment of the impact of probiotic bacteria based on meta-omics analyzes to use their biological potential in profiling the correct microflora of the gut microbiome,
• identification of new metabolic pathways and their protein metabolites to use their natural bacteriocinogenic activity to develop new bio-innovative products in the field of food disinfection and preservation,
• the possibility of using specific, lytic bacteriophages in the food chain as natural, unconventional preservatives using genome and transcriptome analysis methods,
• in vitro culture of intestinal epithelial cells to assess the adhesion of intestinal bacteria and molecular mechanisms of transmembrane transport of xenobiotics, nutrients, the influence of bioactive components of the diet on the physiology of the intestinal mucosa and the pathogenesis of civilization diseases.

Currently conducted projects:

1. “Molecular and functional analysis of the regulation of gene and genetic modules expression involved in quorum sensing as a bacterial systemic signaling response”; PI: DSc Edyta Juszczuk-Kubiak, prof. IBPRS-PIB
2. “The use of bacteriophages against Salmonella sp. As an innovative method of ensuring microbiological safety of food”; PI: MSc. Michał Wójcicki
3. “Interactions of endocrine compounds found in food with the human intestinal microflora in an in vitro model”; Head of the topic: dr hab. Eng. Marek Roszko, prof. IBPRS-PIB, dr hab. Eng. Barbara Sokołowska, prof. IBPRS-PIB; Contractor of the topic: MSc. Paulina Średnicka
4. “The Strength of Grape Extracts: Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties Preventing the Use of Antibiotics in Farm Animals (NeoGiANT)”, Horizon 2020, Call: H2020 – LC – GD – 2020, Subject: LC – GD – 6-1-2020 – Testing and Demonstrating Systemic innovations supporting the “farm to fork” strategy
5. “Innovative technology of fermentation of rapeseed meal as feed for pigs” Co-financing under Measure 16 COOPERATION. The project is co-financed from the state budget together with the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture (ARMA)