Department of Microbiology

Staff:

  • Head of the Department:
    • Professor Zofia Piotrowska-Seget
  • Academic Teachers:
    • Katarzyna Kasperkiewicz, PhD
    • Anna Markowicz, PhD
    • Magdalena Noszczyńska, PhD
    • Magdalena Pacwa-Płociniczak, PhD
    • Tomasz Płociniczak, PhD
    • Piotr Siupka, PhD
    • Sławomir Sułowicz, PhD
    • Sławomir Borymski, PhD
    • Małgorzata Pawlik, PhD
  • Technical Staff:
    • Marzena Ksiądz, MSc
    • Paulina Biniecka, MSc
    • Agata Rak, BSc
    • Celina Jamrozy
    • Sonia Urbaniec

Main field of research:

  • the effects of abiotic and biotic stress factors on functional, structural and genetic diversity of soil microbial communities;
  • rhizospheric and endophytic plant growth promoting microorganisms as tools to improve the phytoremediation of environments contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum compounds;
  • isolation, identification and biochemical characterization of endopytes able to degrade hydrocarbons and promote plant growth in contaminated areas;
  • biofilm formation by endophytes;
  • spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in the environment;
  • response of soil microbial communities to nanopesticide in comparison to traditional pesticide;
  • biosurfactant-producing bacteria in remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils;
  • prospects for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to assist in phytoremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils;
  • monitoring of changes of microbial communities in soils subjected to bioremediation.

Methods used:

  • DGGE – denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
  • PLFA – fospholipid fatty acids analysis
  • Liquid and gas chromatography
  • CLPP – community level of physiological profiles (Biolog®)
  • Western Blot
  • Real-time PCR

For students:

  • Erasmus +:
    • Microbiology of food and physiology of nutrition
    • Environmental biotechnology
  • PhD studies on Advanced methods in biotechnology and biodiversity:
    • Techniques for biodiversity of soil microorganisms.