Molecular Microbiology & Genomics

The MMG group comprises 6 labs (Lisbon and Porto), 24 researchers (15 permanent faculty; 1 MD PhD; 8 non-permanent) and 18 PhD students and will tackle two main topics:

1) mechanistic understanding of basic aspects of cell functioning that are globally relevant for adaptation, especially during environmental changes;

2) integrated knowledge of microbial pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance that spans from molecular mechanisms to single cell analysis and microbial populations.

The 1st research line envisages the development of novel fermentations for health, food, and beverage sectors. Ecology and niche adaptation in the contexts of yeast domestication and food spoilage will be addressed using comparative and population genomics and the resources available at PYCC. Omics approaches will also be deployed to study the impact of HGT on the evolution of metabolism in a bee-health promoting yeast lineage.

The 2nd research line covers projects from infection biology to epidemiology and evolution of antimicrobial resistance, and the role of the microbiome in health and disease. For example, we will delineate the targetome of virulence effector proteins from important human pathogens (C. trachomatis and L. pneumophila). We will also explore the link between complex sugar importers and biofilm formation in two Gram-positive bacteria (B. subtilis and S.aureus) and will elucidate the impact, on host and interspecies interactions, of a new peptide system of S. aureus that enhances macrophage internalization in gram-negative bacteria. Besides strengthening and expanding the novel systems developed for bacterial monitoring, we plan to explore functions and microbiome interactions as a source of bioactive compounds to support the development of novel and innovative treatment approaches, or improvement of bioinoculants for sustainable plant production. Previously implemented outreach (MicroMundo@UPorto) and service (CCP) activities will be expanded.