Research
Our group explores microbial diversity in different ecosystems in Costa Rica. With this, we seek to elucidate the functions that microorganisms perform in the environment but also explore their potential for the development of biotechnological applications.
Search for antibiotic molecules in poorly explored environments
The emergence of microorganisms that are multi-resistant to commercial antibiotics has been classified by the World Health Organization as a threat to public health, whose projections are a cause for concern for the international scientific community. Our research group, through a combination of dependent and independent culture techniques, searches for microorganisms capable of producing antibiotics in little-explored environments in Costa Rica.
Some of our work in this area of ​​research:
Diego Rojas-Gätjens, Katherine J. Valverde-Madrigal, Keilor Rojas-Jimenez, Reinaldo Pereira & Max Chavarría. Antibiotic-producing Micrococcales govern the microbiome that inhabits the fur of two- and three-toed sloths. Environmental Microbiology (2022). https://doi.org/10.1111/1462- 2920.16082.
Microbial diversity and biotechnological potential in extreme environments
Being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Costa Rica's volcanoes have plenty of acidic volcanic lakes and rivers suitable for study. In the country, multiple extreme environments with different physicochemical characteristics can be found. Our research group is interested in studying microbial diversity in these extreme environments and exploring their biotechnological potential.
Some of our work in this area of ​​research:
Diego Rojas‑Gätjens1, Alejandro Arce‑Rodríguez, Fernando Puente‑Sánchez, Roberto Avendaño, Eduardo Libby, Raúl Mora‑Amador5,6 · Keilor Rojas‑Jimenez, Paola Fuentes‑Schweizer, Dietmar H. Pieper &
Max Chavarría. Temperature and elemental sulfur shape microbial communities in two extremely acidic aquatic volcanic environments. Extremophiles (2021), 25:85–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-020-01213-w
Alejandro Arce-Rodríguez, Eduardo Libby, Erick Castellón, Roberto Avendaño, Juan Carlos Cambronero, Maribel Vargas, Dietmar H Pieper, Stefan Bertilsson, Max Chavarría, Fernando Puente-Sánchez. Out of the blue: the independent activity of sulfur-oxidizers and diatoms mediate the sudden color shift of a tropical river. Environmental Microbiome (2023) 18, 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40793-023-00464-2
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Study of the diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in Costa Rica
Entomopathogenic fungi represent a promising ecological tool in pest control and crop protection. Likewise, due to their mechanism of action, they are seen as a novel source of bioactive molecules. Their unique ability to infect insects and arthropods, along with their low environmental impact and potential for sustainable agriculture, make them an attractive option in the current landscape. As research progresses and technical and logistical challenges are addressed, entomopathogenic fungi are likely to play an increasingly crucial role in promoting healthy and balanced agricultural systems. However, before proposing potential applications in agriculture or health, it is necessary to know the diversity of entomopathogenic fungi and their selectivity for the host(s).
Microbiomes associated with animals from Costa Rica
Knowledge of the microbial diversity associated with animals is of interest from many points of view, including ecology, biotechnology and zoonosis. Our group is interested in knowing the microbiomes associated with animals of the Costa Rican fauna and thus elucidate their diversity and biotechnological potential for the production of enzymes and bioactive molecules. On the other hand, we are interested in evaluating the presence of potential zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Some of our work in this area of ​​research:
Diego Rojas-Gätjens, Judy Avey-Arroyo, Priscila Chaverri, Keilor Rojas-Jimenez, Max Chavarría. Differences in fungal communities in the fur of two-and three-toed sloths revealed by ITS metabarcoding. Microbiology (2023) 169 (2): 001309. https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001309
