Unraveling the role of polyhydroxyalkanoates in Schlegelella thermodepolymerans – promising environmental bacterium for next generation biotechnology

Schlegelella thermodepolymerans is a thermophilic bacterium that was isolated thanks to capability of polymer degradation. Nevertheless, we have recently identified the extraordinary biotechnological potential of the bacterium within the concept of Next Generation Biotechnology. Apart from polymer degradation, S. thermodepolymerans is also able to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), microbial polyesters serving as a storage of carbon and energy and enhancing stress robustness of bacterial cells against numerous environmental stressors. Moreover, PHA are considered to be an ecological alternative to petrochemical polymers. In the proposed project we will in-depth look into PHA metabolism of S. thermodepolymerans especially in the context of stress robustness of the bacterium, we will construct a detailed metabolic model, develop and optimize molecular tools for genome editing and we will also test the employment of the bacterium in the most promising biotechnological applications - production of PHA, biodegradation of polymers and biotransformation/degradation of phenolic compounds.