Isolation and characterization of microorganisms producing extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from permafrost

Simona ZELENKOVÁ

Bakalářská práce

Abstract:

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are produced by microorganisms for several reasons. It has long been assumed that EPS are produced only for the purpose of protecting the cell (e.g., capsule, slime layer) and in the formation of biofilms. However, new studies show that EPS are also produced by various microorganisms in response to environmental stress caused by lack of water, nutrients, or extreme temperature. EPS contain mainly polysaccharides and proteins, but also DNA or RNA. They link different groups of microorganisms to form biofilms, facilitate nutrient transfer, allow efficient intercellular communication and defense against predators. However, EPS also link soil particles and organic matter, influencing the formation of soil aggregates and the stability of soil organic matter, which affects the amount of CO2 that can be released into the atmosphere. In the permafrost of the Arctic, from which CO2 is released due to warming from the decomposition of soil organic matter, understanding the influence of EPS-producing microorganisms is essential. The aim of this work was to isolate and identify EPS-producing microorganisms from different areas of degraded permafrost (i.e., dry, and wet scenarios) and evaluate their representation in the overall microbiome.

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 8. 12. 2022

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: doc. Ing. Jiří Bárta, Ph.D.

JIHOČESKÁ UNIVERZITA V ČESKÝCH BUDĚJOVICÍCH

Přírodovědecká fakulta

Bakalářský studijní program / obor:
Biologie / Biologie