Scientific research carried out at in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology is focused on the following thematic groups: applied microbiology, bioprocess engineering, environmental biotechnology, cell and tissue cultures, and genetics / molecular biology of microorganisms. The following research problems are addressed in the field of applied microbiology: antimicrobial activity of microorganisms and their metabolites, probiotic bacteria and their impact on human and animal health, adhesion of microorganisms to solid surfaces (biofilms formation). In the field of bioprocess engineering the following issues are covered: optimization of lactic acid (and the other molecules) production, production of biopreparations (for example) improving soil properties and extraction of biologically active substances from natural plant resources. In the field of environmental biotechnology: removal of pollutants from water and soil using microbial cultures, composting of municipal organic waste and sewage sludge. In the cell and tissue culture research field: in vitro cultures of intestinal epithelial cells for the study of intestinal bacterial adhesion and trans-epithelial transport of food ingredients, drugs and xenobiotics, the biological potential of berry fruit extracts in the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome disorders. Finally, within the field of molecular biology and genetics the following issues are addressed: identification of microorganisms, identification and analysis of genetic variability of human intestinal microbiome, genetic engineering of microorganisms, overexpression of heterologous proteins in microorganisms, as well as interaction of probiotic microorganisms with eukaryotic cells.
