The special issue of FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. collected the state-of-the-art science of international experts working on polar and alpine microbiology. It followed the international scientific conference of the same name that was organized by the members of the project group in Ljubljana in 2011. Cold environments are a rich source of microorganisms that are tolerant to low temperatures and, frequently, also to lack of water. Many microfungi from polar environments belong to the same species that are found in extremely saline waters of solar salterns. Their investigation substantially expands the pool of microorganisms tolerant to water scarcity and high concentrations of salt – and these microorganisms represent a rich source of genes for improving the plant drought and salt tolerance. On the conference we have presented a new method for identification of genes that can increase salt tolerance when expressed in a heterologous system. The method enables a high-throughput gene identification in (in this field) underexploited extremotolerant fungi.
C.03 Guest-associated editor
COBISS.SI-ID: 2725455Salt toxicity in fungi and plants results from PAP phosphatase (Hal2) activity inhibition by sodium or lithium ions, causing accumulation of PAP produced during sulphur assimilation important for methionine synthesis. In extremely halotolerant Hortaea werneckii, two homologues of Hal2 (HwHal2A, HwHal2B) were identified. Genetic and biochemical validation of HwHal2A and HwHal2B highlighted the importance of a unique amino acid sequence found in H. werneckii homologues, the META region. At the meeting we presented our preliminary results providing more thorough understanding of the role of META region in salt tolerance.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 28997849Lapajne award (2012) is granted by Slovenian Biochemical Society to young researcher for outstanding achievements in the field of biochemical science for research and pedagogical work, with which important contribution was given to the development of biochemical sciences in Slovenian and international place.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 26306855We have discovered and tested a new, natural insecticide for crop protection, which originates from edible mushroom and can be produced in larger quantities by different biotechnological production systems. This insecticide has been successfully used for protection of potato against Colorado potato beetle, which is one of potato’s major pests. This natural insecticide is a protease inhibitor, which has inhibitory effect on digestive system of certain insects and causes their death when consumed. We are proposing two possible ways of use – production of this protein within transgenic plants or as a form of contact insecticide. In our experiments we developed and tested both, and proved efficient plant protection in both systems.
F.33 Slovenian patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 2741839The National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology is nominated as the national reference laboratory for GM detection from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environement. Laboratory is providing scientific and technical support to ministries and their inspection services and is cooperating with European Union Reference laboratory JRC and with The institute for reference materials and methods (IRMM). It is also the member of the European network of GMO laboratories (ENGL) and regularly informs general public on GMOs, what can be seen from different presentations, contributions for media and general publications.
D.07 Presiding over a centre/laboratory