Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology of Eukaryotic Microorganisms

Principal investigators

Prof. Eglė Lastauskienė

Assoc. Prof. Renata Gudiukaitė

Group members

Assoc. Prof. Audrius Gegeckas

Justina Versockienė

PhD students

Vilius Malūnavičius,

Kotryna Čekuolytė,

Raimonda Mažylytė,

Gintarė Jansonaitė,

Veronika Mažrimaitė,

Ieva Lenkaitė.

 

 

Research topics

• Search for antimicrobial compounds and agents and evaluation of their potential
• Investigations of the effect of microgravity on the physiology of microorganisms
• Studies of microorganism populations in different environments
• Yeast prion studies
• Engineering of microbial enzymes
• Lipolytic and keratinolytic enzymes and their application in biocatalysis
• Biocementation

Search for antimicrobial compounds and agents and evaluation of their potential; Investigations of the effect of microgravity on the physiology of microorganisms

Since 2015, we are focusing on the application of pulsed electric field (PEF) in the biocontrol of microorganisms. PEF is successfully applied in areas such as: electrotransformation, electrochemotherapy, fluid and environmental sterilization. Our laboratory has successfully optimized electroporation parameters that enable efficient biocontrol of G +, G- bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms. In order to achieve the most efficient result, electroporation is combined with different chemical compounds and this allows to create a long-term elimination effect of microorganisms. In a study of the effect of microgravity on microorganisms, a phenotype of Candida lusitaniae with super-antifungal resistance was discovered. This has led to studies of the effects of microgravity on the physiology of microorganisms. Search and research for biocontrol measures against micromycetes of the genus Fusarium are also underway.

Studies of microorganism populations in different environments

In 2020, we started the studies of populations of microorganisms in different environments. In this field of research, there is an active cooperation with the physicians of VU hospital Santara klinikos. Environmental samples are also analyzed to evaluate the effects of the anthropogenic environment on the surrounding micro-organism ecosystems. The study of environmental samples delves into the structure of microorganism communities as well as the search for various genes of medical (antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance) and biotechnology (microplastics) importance.

Yeast prion studies

Prions are altered conformational proteins that form protein aggregates - amyloids - and can be the cause of neurodegenerative diseases in higher mammals. Yeast prions are an excellent model system for amyloid formation, disintegration, and propagation studies. Our research team is actively working to analyze the effect of PEF on prion elimination and the structure of prion amyloids.

Engineering of microbial enzymes

Bacterial enzymes are the prime object of study in our laboratory. Due to having the ability to catalyze reactions that would otherwise require extreme conditions, such enzymes are an eco-friendlier alternative to the chemical industry. The aim of our research team is to discover, improve or even design new bacterial enzymes (lipases, esterases, cutinases, keratinases, ureases, etc.), which have the potential to be applied in different industries. For fundamental analysis of target biocatalysts, we use a variety of protein engineering methods: random and site-directed mutagenesis, homologous and nonhomologous recombination methods such as DNA shuffling, SHIPREC, and design of chimeric fused enzymes.

Lipolytic and keratinolytic enzymes and their application in biocatalysis

Bacterial lipolytic and proteolytic enzymes play a relevant role in our projects. Experiments involving native and recombinant microbial polyesterases are carried out. The goal of these experiments is to produce biocatalysts that could have widespread applications in various industries (biofuel production, ester synthesis for the cosmetics industry, degradation of polyesters, degradation of feathers using peptidases, peptide production using enzymes, etc.).

Biocementation

Biogeotechnology is a new branch of research, which has gained popularity in recent years. It involves the use of metabolic pathways of various microorganisms in geotechnical applications. In biogeotechnology, microorganisms are used in the process of biocementation (otherwise known as microorganism-induced calcium carbonate precipitation) for improving the structural strength of concrete or reducing soil erosion.  Our laboratory focuses on finding new microorganisms that could potentially be used in the aforementioned process of biocementation. In collaboration with the scientists from VU GMC BChl, the dynamics of biocrystalilzation are analyzed, as well as small-scale bioconsolidation (reinforcement of sand structures) experiments are being carried out.

Projects

Measure No. 01.2.2-MITA-K-702 “Promotion of commercialization and internationalization of R&D results" (EUREKA) project: "Nanosilver and graphene oxide inks" No. 01.2.2-MITA-K-702-12-0002, head of the project Prof. E. Lastauskienė (2021–2022).

Central project management agency, 01.2.2-CPVA-K-703 Promoting of the activity of centers of excellence, innovation technologies and transfer centers, “The Center for Engineering of Next Generation Industrial Enzymes (TVIRTAS)“ No. 01.2.2-CPVA-K-703-03-0023, 2020–2023, researchers Prof. E. Lastauskienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Gudiukaitė, PhD student V. Malūnavičius (2020–2023).

National research programme “Sustainability of agro-, forest and water ecosystems” project “The influence of intensive fish farming on aquatic microbiome and resistome”. No. S-SIT-20-6. Head of the project Prof. M. Ružauskas. Head of the VU part of the project Prof. E. Lastauskienė (2020–2021).

Research Council of Lithuania funded PhD project "Analysis of the Geobacillus sp. Synthetized silver nanoparticles mechanisms of action on the biocontrol of pathogenic skin microbiota." No. KD-19142. Head of the project Prof. E. Lastauskienė, researcher PhD student K. Čekuolytė (2019–2023).

Science Promotion Fund of Vilnius University funded project “Design of new for industrial application attractive biocatalysts and more effective protein engineering methods development”. Grant No. MSF-JM-1. Head of the project Dr. R. Gudiukaitė, researcher PhD student V. Malūnavičius (2019–2020).

Research Council of Lithuania. Towards the Future Technologies Program project: Electro-magnetoporation mediated biocontrol of the microgravity affected and skin infections causative microorganisms ELMIGRAV (No. LAT-02/2016). Head of the Vilnius University part of the project Prof. E. Lastauskienė (2016–2018).

Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Taxonomy of Prokaryotes

Principal investigator

Prof. Nomeda Kuisienė

Group members

Dr. Rūta Kananavičiūtė

Dr. Raimonda Baranauskienė

Dr. Tatjana Kirtiklienė

PhD students

Anželika Slavinska

 

 

 

Research topics

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents plays an important role in healthcare institutions nowadays. Spread of multidrug resistant bacteria can occur during inter- and intra-hospital transmissions among patients and hospital personnel. We use methods of molecular epidemiology, such as virulence factors determination, resistance genes distribution and genotyping to better understand the antimicrobial resistance patterns of invasive bacterial pathogens, to strengthen the control of multidrug resistant infections in healthcare institutions, and to prevent potential outbreaks in the future.

Most bacteria produce antimicrobial compounds of different nature: volatile compounds, bacteriocins, antibiotics. In practice, they can be used for both the prevention and treatment of infections. Screening for novel antimicrobial compounds is regarded to be the most promising strategy for overcoming the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of our research work is to reveal the diversity and prevalence of bioactive compound biosynthesis genes in the bacteria of the deepest cave of the Earth. Polyketide synthase, nonribosomal peptide synthetase, and bacteriocin biosynthesis genes are under investigation.

Prokaryotes represent the largest source of biotechnologically relevant products in nature. New species of prokaryotes are continuously described, and new strains of the “old” species are also continuously isolated. It is known that every new bacterial strain adds dozens of new genes to the genome of its own species, and at least some of these new genes can be exploited for the development of novel, biotechnologically relevant products.

Prokaryotes developed a range of enzymes that degrade polysaccharides, producing oligosaccharides. Different bioactivities useful for human health were reported for oligosaccharides; they are also used as prebiotics in functional food. The enzymatic production of these compounds is the most promising. Prokaryotes also developed a whole range of structural proteins, and some of them (collagen-like proteins, for example) can be used for the construction of biomaterials with the desirable properties for regenerative medicine. The identification, expression and characterization of bacterial collagen-like proteins represent a highly attractive and important area of our research work.

Projects

EU funded project “Design of compounds inhibiting BACE1 enzymatic activity and Aβ peptide aggregation for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease”, No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-03-0003. Project implementer – Dr. R. Kananavičiūtė (2020–2023).

EU funded project “Centre for engineering of the next-generation enzymes (TVIRTAS)”, No. 01.2.2-CPVA-K-703-03-0023. Project implementer – Dr. R. Kananavičiūtė (2020–2023).

EU funded postdoctoral fellowship project “Characterization of bacteriophages from extreme environments”, No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-19-0102. The head of the project ‑ Prof. N. Kuisienė (2020–2022).

EU funded PhD fellowship project “Investigation of characteristics and transmission of the virulent strains of pathogenic microorganisms in the view of molecular epidemiology”, No. KD-17072. The head of the project ‑ Prof. N. Kuisienė, implementer ‑ T. Kirtiklienė (2017–2021).

Researcher team’s project of the Research Council of Lithuania “Discovery of novel bioactive microbial compounds in the unique environment: an investigation of the diversity, prevalence and expression”, No. S-MIP-17-21. The head of the project ‑ Prof. N. Kuisienė (2017–2020).

EU funded postdoctoral fellowship project “The search for new bacterial collagen-like proteins, their heterologous expression and characterization”, No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-02-0092. The head of the project ‑ Prof. N. Kuisienė, implementer Dr. R. Kananavičiūtė (2017–2019).

Laboratory of Applied Microbiology

Principal investigator

Prof. Dr. (HP) Lilija Kalėdienė

Group members

Dr. Alisa Gricajeva

Dr. Arnoldas Kaunietis

PhD student

Ruslanas Bikmurzin

 

 

Research topics

Although the potential of microbial degradation is ubiquitous, many organic contaminants are not or often only poorly transformed in natural environmental conditions, thus, organic, and other waste treatment and recycling is an important topic. Therefore, the enhancement of natural microbiological degradative activities at contaminated sites is one of the challenges of the present research group. Through exploitation of advances of conventional and molecular biology techniques, search, identification, and characterization of microbes or microbial enzymes active towards fatty substances or aromatic compounds are done. Microbial enzymes, especially those exerting activity against ester bonds have a broad range of applications in modern biotechnology. Lipolytic enzymes are among the most industrially relevant and widely used in biocatalysis, both at academic and industrial levels due to their immense versatility regarding catalytic behavior and great stability in different reaction media. Nevertheless, for the industrial implementations, immobilized enzymes are preferred over their soluble forms. Ecologically inspired method of immobilization of lipolytic enzymes on industrial waste products as carriers are developed by the group.

Another emerging topic is alternative antibacterial compounds such as bacterial ribosomally synthesized peptides with antibacterial activity (bacteriocins). These natural compounds have considerable diversity with respect to their size, structure, mechanism of action, inhibitory spectrum, immunity mechanisms and targeted receptors. In the era of antibiotic resistance, bacteriocins are suggested as a potential alternative to antibiotics in clinics and as food preservatives against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms.

The group is also participating in research regarding safe bacterial biofilm control method development for European Space Agency (ESA). In collaboration with the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Physics (Vilnius University), a novel natural photosensitizers-based antimicrobial photoinactivation (API) technology that is safe for the use in the confined, closed-loop systems such as spacecraft is being developed. Furthermore, the group is currently adapting the API technology and creating the prototype that could be used for the destruction of phytopathogenic microorganisms infecting strawberries. The project is being implemented under the project of Lithuanian Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Yeast β-glucans, a diverse group of polysaccharides, exhibiting immunostimulating activity, and algal pigments, which, besides their health benefits, have great commercial value in nutraceutical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, are among the research group’s topics as well.

Enzymes and antimicrobial compounds and systems that are analysed by our research group, are attractive both biotechnologically and in basic research. Some of the competences are achieved not only by introducing publications but also by participating in scientific projects co-financed by ESA, EU funds and collaborating with the regional waste treatment company for the pilot study of biogas production from municipal waste.

Some of our PhD students defended doctoral theses describing the identification of new bacterial lipolytic enzymes and post-translationally modified bacteriocins.

Projects

EU funded project “Centre for Engineering of the Next-Generation Enzymes (TVIRTAS)”, No. 01.2.2-CPVA-K-703-03-0023. Project implementer – Dr. Arnoldas Kaunietis (2020–2023).

Project funded by Agency of Science, Innovation and Technology; technological development project “Prototype of Antimicrobial Photoinactivation to Protect Strawberries from Mold Phytopathogens in Greenhouses (AFIP)”, No. TPP-04-018. Chief researcher – Prof. Dr. Lilija Kalėdienė, implementer – Dr. Alisa Gricajeva (2021–2022).

EU funded postdoctoral fellowship project “Development of Heterologous Gene Expression System for Thermophilic Bacteria”, No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-19-0054. Project implementer – Dr. Arnoldas Kaunietis (2020–2022).

International European Space Agency Project “Antimicrobial Photoinactivation Approach Based on Natural Agents for Control of Bacteria Biofilms in Spacecraft”. Feasibility Study. Fifth call under the plan for European cooperating states in Lithuania. LT5_1 Contract No. 40000129495/19/NL/SSC). Chief researcher – Prof. Dr. Lilija Kalėdienė, Researcher – Dr. Alisa Gricajeva (2020–2021).

Project funded by Vilnius University Science Fund “Identification and Purification of Novel Bacteriocin from Thermophilic Bacterium”, No. MSF-JM-17. Project supervisor and implementer – Dr. Arnoldas Kaunietis (2019–2020).

Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology of Eukaryotic Microorganisms

List of publications of employees, PhD students and students 

2022

Gricajeva, A., Nadda, A. K., & Gudiukaite, R. (2022). Insights into Polyester Plastic Biodegradation by Carboxyl Ester Hydrolases. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 97(2), 359–380. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6745

2021

Savickaite, A., Sadauskas, M., & Gudiukaite, R. (2021). Immobilized GDEst-95, GDEst-lip and GD-95RM Lipolytic Enzymes for Continuous Flow Hydrolysis and Transesterification Reactions. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 173, 421–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.01.133

Gudiukaite, R., Nadda, A. K., Gricajeva, A., Shanmugam, S., Nguyen, D. D., & Lam, S. S. (2021). Bioprocesses for the Recovery of Bioenergy and Value-Added Products from Wastewater: A Review. Journal of Environmental Management, 300, 113831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113831

Jurgelevičiūtė, J., Bičkovas, N., Sakalauskas, A., Novickij, V., Smirnovas, V., & Lastauskienė, E. (2021). Effects of Pulsed Electric Fields on Yeast with Prions and the Structure of Amyloid Fibrils. Applied Sciences, 11(6), 2684. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062684

Ruzauskas, M., Armalytė, J., Lastauskienė, E., Šiugždinienė, R., Klimienė, I., Mockeliūnas, R., & Bartkienė, E. (2021). Microbial and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Microbiota in Common Carps (Cyprinus carpio) from Aquacultured and Wild Fish Populations. Animals, 11(4), 929. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11040929

Lastauskienė, E., Valskys, V., Stankevičiūtė, J., Kalcienė, V., Gėgžna, V., Kavoliūnas, J., … Armalytė, J. (2021). The Impact of Intensive Fish Farming on Pond Sediment Microbiome and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Composition. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 673756. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.673756

Savickaite, A., Druteika, G., Sadauskas, M., Malunavicius, V., Lastauskiene, E., & Gudiukaite, R. (2021). Study of Individual Domains’ Functionality in Fused Lipolytic Biocatalysts Based on Geobacillus Lipases and Esterases. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 168, 261–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.12.026

Ianevski, A., Yao, R., Zusinaite, E., Lello, L. S., Wang, S., Jo, E., … Lastauskiene, E., ... Kainov, D. E. (2021). Synergistic Interferon-Alpha-Based Combinations for Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Infections. Viruses, 13(12), 2489. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13122489

2020

Kumar, A., Gudiukaite, R., Gricajeva, A., Sadauskas, M., Malunavicius, V., Kamyab, H., … Pant, D. (2020). Microbial Lipolytic Enzymes – Promising Energy-Efficient Biocatalysts in Bioremediation. Energy, 192, 116674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116674

Druteika, G., Sadauskas, M., Malunavicius, V., Lastauskiene, E., Taujenis, L., Gegeckas, A., & Gudiukaite, R. (2020). Development of a New Geobacillus Lipase Variant GDlip43 via Directed Evolution Leading to Identification of New Activity-Regulating Amino Acids. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 151, 1194–1204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.163

Druteika, G., Sadauskas, M., Malunavicius, V., Lastauskiene, E., Statkeviciute, R., Savickaite, A., & Gudiukaite, R. (2020). New Engineered Geobacillus Lipase GD-95RM for Industry Focusing on the Cleaner Production of Fatty Esters and Household Washing Product Formulations. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 36(3), 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-020-02816-3

2019

Novickij, V., Lastauskienė, E., Staigvila, G., Girkontaitė, I., Zinkevičienė, A., Švedienė, J., … Novickij, J. (2019). Low Concentrations of Acetic and Formic Acids Enhance the Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Pulsed Electric Fields. BMC Microbiology, 19(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-019-1447-1

Novickij, V., Staigvila, G., Gudiukaitė, R., Zinkevičienė, A., Girkontaitė, I., Paškevičius, A., … Lastauskienė, E. (2019). Nanosecond Duration Pulsed Electric Field Together with Formic Acid Triggers Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Pathogenic Yeasts. Bioelectrochemistry, 128, 148–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.04.007

Vaičikauskaitė, M., Ger, M., Valius, M., Maneikis, A., Lastauskienė, E., Kalėdienė, L., & Kaunietis, A. (2019). Geobacillin 26 - High Molecular Weight Bacteriocin from a Thermophilic Bacterium. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 141, 333–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.09.047

Lastauskienė, E., Novickij, V., Zinkevičienė, A., Girkontaitė, I., Paškevičius, A., Švedienė, J., … Novickij, J. (2019). Application of Pulsed Electric Fields for the Elimination of Highly Drug-Resistant Candida Grown Under Modelled Microgravity Conditions. International Journal of Astrobiology, 18(05), 405–411. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1473550418000332

2018

Gegeckas, A., Šimkutė, A., Gudiukaitė, R., & Čitavičius, D. J. (2018). Characterization and Application of Keratinolytic Paptidases from Bacillus spp. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 113, 1206–1213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.03.046

Stumbriene, K., Gudiukaite, R., Semaskiene, R., Svegzda, P., Jonaviciene, A., & Suproniene, S. (2018). Screening of New Bacterial Isolates with Antifungal Activity and Application of Selected Bacillus sp. Cultures for Biocontrol of Fusarium graminearum Under Field Conditions. Crop Protection, 113, 22–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2018.07.006

Novickij, V., Zinkevičienė, A., Perminaitė, E., Čėsna, R., Lastauskienė, E., Paškevičius, A., … Girkontaitė, I. (2018). Non-Invasive Nanosecond Electroporation for Biocontrol of Surface Infections: an In Vivo Study. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 14516. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-32783-7

Novickij, V., Zinkevičienė, A., Valiulis, J., Švedienė, J., Paškevičius, A., Lastauskienė, E., … Girkontaitė, I. (2018). Different Permeabilization Patterns of Splenocytes and Thymocytes to Combination of Pulsed Electric and Magnetic Field Treatments. Bioelectrochemistry, 122, 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.04.006

Novickij, V., Lastauskienė, E., Švedienė, J., Grainys, A., Staigvila, G., Paškevičius, A., … Novickij, J. (2018). Membrane Permeabilization of Pathogenic Yeast in Alternating Sub-microsecond Electromagnetic Fields in Combination with Conventional Electroporation. The Journal of Membrane Biology, 251(2), 189–195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-017-9951-4

Novickij, V., Švedienė, J., Paškevičius, A., Markovskaja, S., Girkontaitė, I., Zinkevičienė, A., … Lastauskienė, E., Novickij, J. (2018). Pulsed Electric Field-Assisted Sensitization of Multidrug-Resistant Candida albicans to Antifungal Drugs. Future Microbiology, 13(5), 535–546. https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb-2017-0245

Malunavicius, V., Druteika, G., Sadauskas, M., Veteikyte, A., Matijosyte, I., Lastauskiene, E., … Gudiukaite, R. (2018). Usage of GD-95 and GD-66 Lipases as Fusion Partners Leading to Improved Chimeric Enzyme LipGD95-GD66. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 118, 1594–1603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.07.002

Novickij, V., Švedienė, J., Paškevičius, A., Markovskaja, S., Lastauskienė, E., Zinkevičienė, A., … Novickij, J. (2018). Induction of Different Sensitization Patterns of MRSA to Antibiotics Using Electroporation. Molecules, 23(7), 1799. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23071799

Novickij, V., Zinkevičienė, A., Stanevičienė, R., Gruškienė, R., Servienė, E., Vepštaitė-Monstavičė, I., … Lastauskienė, E.,  ... Novickij, J. (2018). Inactivation of Escherichia coli Using Nanosecond Electric Fields and Nisin Nanoparticles: A Kinetics Study. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9, 3006. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.03006

2017

Gudiukaite, R., & Gricajeva, A. (2017). Microbial Lipolytic Fusion Enzymes: Current State and Future Perspectives. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 33(12), 216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-017-2381-8

Gudiukaite, R., Sadauskas, M., Gegeckas, A., Malunavicius, V., & Citavicius, D. (2017). Construction of a Novel Lipolytic Fusion Biocatalyst GDEst-lip for Industrial Application. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 44(6), 799–815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-017-1905-4

Simonis, P., Kersulis, S., Stankevich, V., Kaseta, V., Lastauskiene, E., & Stirke, A. (2017). Caspase Dependent Apoptosis Induced in Yeast Cells by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields. Bioelectrochemistry, 115, 19–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2017.01.005

Novickij, V., Girkontaite, I., Zinkeviciene, A., Svediene, J., Lastauskiene, E., Paskevicius, A., … Novickij, J. (2017). Reversible Permeabilization of Cancer Cells by High Sub-Microsecond Magnetic Field. IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, 53(11), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.2017.2719699

Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Taxonomy of Prokaryotes

List of publications of employees, PhD students and students 

2021

Kirtikliene, T., Mierauskaitė, A., Razmienė, I., & Kuisiene, N. (2021). Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Genetic Characterization and Spread in Lithuania in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Life, 11(2), 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/life11020151

Lebedeva, J., Jukneviciute, G., Čepaitė, R., Vickackaite, V., Pranckutė, R., & Kuisiene, N. (2021). Genome Mining and Characterization of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in Two Cave Strains of Paenibacillus sp. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, 612483. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.612483

Lukoseviciute, L., Lebedeva, J., & Kuisiene, N. (2021). Diversity of Polyketide Synthases and Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases Revealed Through Metagenomic Analysis of a Deep Oligotrophic Cave. Microbial Ecology, 81(1), 110–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-020-01554-1

Voitechovič, E., Stankevičiūtė, J., Vektarienė, A., Vektaris, G., Jančienė, R., Kuisienė, N., Razumienė, J., Meškys, R. (2021). Bioamperometric Systems with Fructose Dehydrogenase From Gluconobacter japonicus for D‐tagatose Monitoring. Electroanalysis, 33(6), 1393–1397. https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.202060573

2020

Kananavičiūtė, R., Kvederavičiūtė, K., Dabkevičienė, D., Mackevičius, G., & Kuisienė, N. (2020). Collagen-like Sequences Encoded by Extremophilic and Extremotolerant Bacteria. Genomics, 112(3), 2271–2281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.12.023

2019

Bukelskis, D., Dabkeviciene, D., Lukoseviciute, L., Bucelis, A., Kriaučiūnas, I., Lebedeva, J., & Kuisiene, N. (2019). Screening and Transcriptional Analysis of Polyketide Synthases and Non-ribosomal Peptide Synthetases in Bacterial Strains From Krubera–Voronja Cave. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10, 2149. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02149

Kirtikliene, T., Naugzemys, D., Steponkiene, A., Bogdevic, R., Vizuje, G., Zvingila, D., & Kuisiene, N. (2019). Evaluation of the Inter- and Intrahospital Spread of Multidrug Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Lithuanian Hospitals. Microbial Drug Resistance, 25(3), 326–335. https://doi.org/10.1089/mdr.2018.0160

Tratulyte, S., Miciuleviciene, J., & Kuisiene, N. (2019). First Genotypic Characterization of Toxigenic Clostridioides difficile in Lithuanian Hospitals Reveals the Prevalence of the Hypervirulent Ribotype 027/ST1. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 38(10), 1953–1959. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-019-03633-9

2017

Ghosh, S., Kuisiene, N., & Cheeptham, N. (2017). The Cave Microbiome as a Source for Drug Discovery: Reality or Pipe Dream? Biochemical Pharmacology, 134, 18–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2016.11.018

Petkauskaite, R., Blom, J., Goesmann, A., & Kuisiene, N. (2017). Draft Genome Sequence of Pectic Polysaccharide-Degrading Moderate Thermophilic Bacterium Geobacillus thermodenitrificans DSM 101594. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 48(1), 7–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjm.2016.06.013

Laboratory of Applied Microbiology

List of publications of employees, PhD students and students 

2022

Gricajeva, A., Nadda, A. K., & Gudiukaite, R. (2022). Insights into Polyester Plastic Biodegradation by Carboxyl Ester Hydrolases. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 97(2), 359–380. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6745

2021

Gudiukaite, R., Nadda, A. K., Gricajeva, A., Shanmugam, S., Nguyen, D. D., & Lam, S. S. (2021). Bioprocesses for the Recovery of Bioenergy and Value-Added Products from Wastewater: A Review. Journal of Environmental Management, 300, 113831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113831

2020

Buchovec, I., Gricajeva, A., Kalėdienė, L., & Vitta, P. (2020). Antimicrobial Photoinactivation Approach Based on Natural Agents for Control of Bacteria Biofilms in Spacecraft. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(18), 6932. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186932

Kumar, A., Gudiukaite, R., Gricajeva, A., Sadauskas, M., Malunavicius, V., Kamyab, H., … Pant, D. (2020). Microbial Lipolytic Enzymes – Promising Energy-Efficient Biocatalysts in Bioremediation. Energy, 192, 116674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116674

2019

Kaunietis, A., Buivydas, A., Čitavičius, D. J., & Kuipers, O. P. (2019). Heterologous Biosynthesis and Characterization of a Glycocin from a Thermophilic Bacterium. Nature Communications, 10(1), 1115. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09065-5

Vaičikauskaitė, M., Ger, M., Valius, M., Maneikis, A., Lastauskienė, E., Kalėdienė, L., & Kaunietis, A. (2019). Geobacillin 26 - High Molecular Weight Bacteriocin from a Thermophilic Bacterium. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 141, 333–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.09.047

Gricajeva, A., Bikutė, I., & Kalėdienė, L. (2019). Atypical Organic-Solvent Tolerant Bacterial Hormone Sensitive Lipase-Like Homologue EstAG1 from Staphylococcus saprophyticus AG1: Synthesis and Characterization. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 130, 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.02.110

Prakapaite, R., Saab, F., Planciuniene, R., Petraitis, V., Walsh, T. J., Petraitiene, R., … Kalėdienė, L., Kavaliauskas, P. (2019). Molecular Characterization of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Reveals Emergence of Drug Resistant O15, O22 and O25 Serogroups. Medicina, 55(11), 733. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55110733

2018

Gricajeva, A., Kazlauskas, S., Kalėdienė, L., & Bendikienė, V. (2018). Analysis of Aspergillus sp. Lipase Immobilization for the Application in Organic Synthesis. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 108, 1165–1175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.11.010

2017

Gudiukaite, R., & Gricajeva, A. (2017). Microbial Lipolytic Fusion Enzymes: Current State and Future Perspectives. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 33(12), 216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-017-2381-8