Project title: Genomics and transcriptomics guided trait stacking of antagonistic mechanisms utilized by Streptomyces spp. from underexlored strain sollection in SynComs against pathogens causing ash dieback and acute oak decline

Project No.: lzp-2024/1-0109

Period: 1st January 2025 – 31 December 2027

Project costs: 300 000,00 EUR

Principial Investigator: University of Latvia

Collaboration partner: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre

Principal Investigator BMC: Dr. biol. Dāvids Fridmanis

Project summary:

The project aims to investigate whether an efficient synthetic community inhibiting causal agents of two severely deleterious diseases of broad-leafed trees can be built by combining Streptomyces strains using an antimicrobial trait stacking approach. Designed syncoms will be used to target ash dieback and acute oak decline-associated pathogens – Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, Gibbsiella quercinecans, and Brenneria goodwinii. The study will apply genomics and transcriptomics-based assessment of anti-microbial mechanisms represented in underexplored Streptomyces strains preserved by the Microbial Strain Collection of Latvia. The most efficient antagonistic combinations of identified anti-microbial mechanisms will be predicted using genomics and metatranscriptomics-based metabolic modeling and validated with wet-lab tests. Results: two scientific publications (submitted to Q1/Q2 journals), two reports at scientific conferences, defended master thesis, new project application, genomics, and metatranscriptomic data deposited in the public data repository. An impact: results will advance fundamental knowledge of arboreal pathology and microbial ecology, and increase accessibility and usability of local microbial resources. Assessment of anti-microbial properties of Streptomyces collection of local origin will foster innovations in knowledge-intensive bio-economy – Smart specialization strategy (RIS3) area of Latvia. Total budget: 300 000 EUR, duration: 36 months.

Information published 02.01.2025.