Department (s)
Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology

Life and Health Sciences: Fundamental and Systems Biology

Members

Inés Arana Basabe; Vladimir Kaberdin; Maite Orruño; Elixabet Ogayar

Keywords

Vibrio spp., VBNC, survival, sRNA

Description

A large number of bacteria subjected to stressful situations (fasting, temperature, salinity, etc.) lose cultivability, although they maintain cellular integrity and retain physiological activities and even the ability to transfer mobile gene elements. This cellular state is called Viable But Non-culturable (VBNC) state.
The research group has studied and compared the process of entry into the VBNC state and the ability to revert this situation in Escherichia coli, Vibrio spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations maintained in conditions that simulate natural aquatic systems. Molecular aspects of the transit to the VBNC state, proteomic and transcriptomic variation and aspects of the predator-prey interrelationship (bacteriovorous protozoa-bacteria) have been addressed. Currently, we have initiated the study of the interactions of Vibrio spp. with diverse marine organisms, generating a host-Vibrio model.

Lines of Research

1. Analysis of the diversity and seasonal dynamics of Vibrio spp. populations in the Bay of Biscay 
2. Analysis of Vibrio  spp. adaptation to the aquatic environment
3. Discovery of target genes and mechanisms regulated by new Vibrio harveyi and Escherichia coli sRNAs

Equipment

• Epifluorescence microscopes
• Incubators
• Electrophoresis systems
• Electroporation systems
• Biological safety cabinet
• Autoclaves
• Biological wastewater treatment (mini)plant

Website link

Contact
ines.arana@ehu.eus