Genomic characterization of bacteria with probiotic potential.

The intestinal microbiota is defined as the community of microorganisms that inhabit the digestive system, which can be subject to different ecological interactions, including beneficial, commensal and even pathogenic.

Beneficial microorganisms fulfill essential functions for maintaining host homeostasis, such as: metabolism of nutrients, medications and xenobiotics (exogenous chemical substances); strengthening of epithelial cells and the intestinal barrier; prevention and treatment of infections by pathogenic microorganisms.

Due to the importance of these beneficial members of the microbiota, it is necessary to establish isolates that allow progress in their genomic characterization that leads to clarifying the genetic basis of their contribution to the maintenance of host homeostasis.

For this, the Microbiological Research Group-UR (GIMUR) will advance in the establishment of isolates of beneficial bacteria at the intestinal level, which will be used to perform DNA extraction.

Subsequently, the species studied will be verified using the specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Next, the complete genomes will be sequenced and bioinformatics analyzes will be carried out aimed at: assembling, annotating and detecting molecular markers of health interest.

Additionally, genetic diversity and structure will be evaluated at the population level, in order to identify the effect of the populations of each characterized beneficial microorganism.

Together, these findings will allow us to advance our knowledge of the biology of these microorganisms with biotechnological potential, with the purpose of identifying probiotic candidates that can contribute to the management of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Microbiota, intestine, probiotic.

The results of this project will lead to fulfilling the following commitments:

Establishment of isolates of at least two candidates for bacterial probiotics, which will be stored in the GIMUR sample bank.

DNA extraction and genome sequencing of at least two bacterial probiotic candidates whose data will be reported in publicly accessible databases.

Identification of the genetic bases that support the effect of at least two bacterial probiotic candidates, through comparative genomics analysis.

Generation of at least two scientific articles Q1/Q2 (one for each bacterial probiotic candidate).