Bacterial Energy Metabolism
We are interested in studying Energy Metabolism in bacterial model organisms that produce energy from the respiration of organic or inorganic compounds instead of oxygen. In these organisms, the processes of cellular respiration are very different from those of aerobic organisms.
Head of Laboratory
Inês Cardoso Pereira | Research InterestsGroup MembersSelected PublicationsBioquímica Microbiana (PT) | |
Phone (+351) 214469327 | |
Research Interests
Microorganisms have a great impact in the chemistry of life in this planet, and also affect global climate. Their high biological diversity and range of environmental adaptations is associated with the fact that microbes explore many different metabolic strategies to sustain life. We are interested in studying Energy Metabolism in bacterial model organisms that produce energy from the respiration of organic or inorganic compounds instead of oxygen. In these organisms, the processes of cellular respiration are very different from those of aerobic organisms.
Currently, we investigate the molecular basis of the processes that enable a large group of bacteria to respire sulphur compounds (like sulfate and sulfite). These bacteria are ancient organisms that existed long before the appearance of oxygen on Earth, and which are ubiquitously found in the environment and in animal guts. They are implicated in a range of environmental and health issues, and are important research targets in the areas of Bioremediation, Biological Hydrogen Production, Microbial Fuel Cells, Biocorrosion, and Waste Treatment.
By studying their respiratory metabolism we contribute to a better development of their biotechnological applications, as well as to a better control of their biological activity, including potentially adverse health and environmental effects.
Group Members
Sofia Marques da Silva, PhD student
Sofia S. Venceslau, PhD student
Tânia F. Oliveira, PhD student
Fábio Silva, PhD student
Ana Raquel Ramos, Research Student
Marta C. Marques, Research Student
Daniela Matos, Research Student
Isabel Pacheco, Technician
Selected Publications
- Oliveira T.F., Vonrhein C., Matias P.M., Venceslau S.S., Pereira I.A.C.*, Archer M.* (2008) The crystal structure of a dissimilatory sulfite reductase bound to DsrC provides novel insights into the mechanism of sulfate reduction, J. Biol. Chem., 283, 34141-34149
- Valente F.M.A., Venceslau S.S., Regalla M., Coelho A.V., Pereira P.M. and Pereira I.A.C. (2007) The [NiFeSe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough is a bacterial lipoprotein lacking a typical lipoprotein signal peptide, FEBS Lett., 581 (18), 3341-3344
- Rodrigues ML, Oliveira T, Pereira I.A.C. and Archer M (2006) X-ray structure of the membrane-bound cytochrome c quinol dehydrogenase NrfH reveals novel heme coordination, EMBO J. 25: 5951–5960
Laboratory's Website
For further information please visit the laboratory's website
Bioquímica Microbiana (PT)
A actividade dos microorganismos tem um impacto muito elevado nos ciclos químicos e biológicos da Terra, e afecta também o clima a nível global. A grande diversidade biológica destes organismos e a sua capacidade de adaptação a ambientes extremos está relacionada com o facto de explorarem inúmeras estratégias metabólicas para gerar energia. O laboratório de Bioquímica Microbiana estuda o Metabolismo Energético de bactérias modelo que produzem energia pela respiração de compostos orgânicos ou inorgânicos, em vez de oxigénio. Nestes organismos os processos de respiração celular são muito diferentes dos organismos aeróbios.
Em particular, investigamos as bases moleculares dos processos que permitem a um grande grupo de bactérias respirar compostos de enxofre (como sulfato e sulfito). Estas bactérias são organismos ancestrais que existiam muito antes do aparecimento do oxigénio na Terra, e que se encontram disseminadas no ambiente, (incluindo os intestinos de mamíferos). São organismos relevantes em diversas áreas como Bioremediação, Produção Biológica de Hidrogénio, Células de Combustível Biológicas, Biocorrosão e Tratamento de Esgotos.
Ao estudar o metabolismo respiratório destes organismos contribuimos para uma melhor exploração do seu potencial biotecnológico, e também para um melhor contrôle da sua actividade biológica, incluindo os seus potenciais efeitos adversos a nível ambiental e de saúde.
