Involvement of polyhydroxyalkanoates in stress response of bacteria

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are storing materials accumulated by a wide variety of bacterial strains. These polyesters serve as storage of carbon and energy; nevertheless, it is likely that they play also an important role in stress response against various adverse conditions. This project is focused on involvement of PHAs in stress response of bacteria against various stress factors. We intend to employ primarily Cupriavidus necator H16 as a model PHA producing bacteria. Aside from metabolic study on involvement of PHAs in bacteria stress response, important part of the project will be dedicated to understanding of influence of PHAs on physico-chemical properties of the cells. Further, project includes microbial ecology study on diversity of PHA accumulating bacteria in stressful environments. We would like to pay attention to influence of PHA on biofilm formation with respect to stress resistance and, finally, we intend to look into role of PHAs in late stationary phase including GASP phenomenon.