Banca de DEFESA: Rafael da Silva Oliveira

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : Rafael da Silva Oliveira
DATE: 19/09/2022
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Videoconferência
TITLE:

"Evaluation of the Ecological and Biotechnological Importance of 10 Latescibacterota MAGs Recovered from Amazon Reef Sponges’ Microbiome".

KEY WORDS:

Bioinformatics; Metagenome; Microbiome; Sponges’ symbiont.

PAGES: 91
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Biologia Geral
SUMMARY:

Sponges and their associated organisms have significant importance in the ocean due to their role in many ecological processes. They also are a relevant source of bioactive compounds which can be explored biotechnologically. The Amazon Reef is a peculiar area that hosts a huge diversity of species. This place is characterized by the leakage of water and sediments from the Amazon River, generating a plume of sediments that impacts physical-chemical parameters and living organisms. Having this in mind, an analysis of genetic and metabolic features of 10 MAGs derived from Amazon Reef sponges’ microbiome, through bioinformatics methods. The main objective was to show possible contributions these microorganisms might give to the ecosystem and its host and discover possible biotechnology uses. The project began with reef sponge tissue collection, followed by DNA extraction and sequencing. Over 200 MAGs of good quality were recovered from the metagenomic DNA. 10 of those MAGs were selected for more detailed analyses based on preliminary classifications. Then the following procedures were executed: definition of genomes quality and their similarity, taxonomic classification, metabolic reconstruction, and search for bioactive compounds. All MAGs presented quality between average and high. Contamination was lower than 10%, and completeness was higher than 10%. ANI and dDDH results indicate that two pairs of MAGs probably belong to the same species. Besides, MAGs were taxonomically assigned in the same phylum, Latescibacterota, and class, UBA2968. Metabolic reconstruction demonstrated the presence of genes related to heterotrophy with both aerobic and anaerobic processes for energy acquisition. Identification of genes involved in bioremediation pathways and nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus cycles show possible contributions to the reef. Genes related to synthesis of essential nutrients and other useful products, heavy metals detox and chemical defense were also found, indicating possible benefits for the host. From a biotechnological point of view, MAGs have some genes linked to secondary metabolite production while others generate commercial and industrial enzymes. Biologically active peptides with distinct properties were identified as well. Therefore, this work shows possible roles for these microorganisms on the reef along with possible benefits for the sponges. They could also be biotechnologically explored in diverse ways.

BANKING MEMBERS:
Interna - 2222088 - ELIANE FERREIRA NORONHA
Externo à Instituição - FABYANO ALVARES CARDOSO LOPES - UFT
Presidente - 1661623 - RICARDO HENRIQUE KRUGER
Interno - 2644635 - ROBERT NEIL GERARD MILLER