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Utilization of physico-chemical and spectroscopical methods in study on microbial extremofiles
Dobešová, Kateřina ; Enev, Vojtěch (referee) ; Sedláček, Petr (advisor)
The aim of this bachelor thesis is the determination od polyhydroxyalkanoates in the cells of extremophille bacterie, preformed by several methods. The chosen bacterium was Schlegelella thermodepolymerans DSM 15 344 Thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformation, and Raman spectroscopy were used in this thesis. The TGA method was used for the determination of extracellular and intracellular water in samples. The FTIR method was used in order to observe the amount od PHA, but aslo to observe the physical properties of the polymer in the sample, specifically to determine either amorphous or crystalline featuers of this polymer. Raman spectroscopy was used in oder to confirm the presence of PHA in the samples. All results e´were compared eith the results accomplished by gas chromatografy.
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Detecting biomarkers of extremophiles in Martian analogues
Němečková, Kateřina ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Hauer, Tomáš (referee) ; Vandenabeele, Peter (referee)
The main focus of this thesis is on the examination of endolithic microorganisms within gypsum from Sicily. This region is of particular interest because gypsum outcrops are common and accessible there, but the environment is not considered to be extreme in terms of solar radiation or other factors. The research aims to detect endolithic biomarkers and analyse their distribution in their natural environment, to identify endoliths with a focus on phototrophs, and to assign the detected biomarkers to their producers. One of the key tools used in this study was a portable Raman spectrometer with a 532 nm laser, used for the detection of carotenoids under field conditions. Further, the Raman fingerprints of scytonemin and gloeocapsin can be used for the taxonomic identification of some cyanobacteria. With the use of a combination of different excitation wavelengths (445nm, 532 nm, 780 nm), it was possible to detect good quality spectra of various pigments in situ, conditions also in isolated cells and colonies. The results of the molecular analysis also suggest that gypsum habitats in non-extreme regions have a similar microbial composition as those found in extreme regions; i.e., Cyanobacteria being the most abundant group of these microorganisms. This has previously been described as the "hypothesis...
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Extreme environment of the Atacama Desert: Geology, Extremophiles, and its connection to Exobiology
Jíra, Stanislav ; Culka, Adam (advisor) ; Vítek, Petr (referee)
Because of the position in the subtropical climate belt, high altitudes, cold Humboldt Current, Andean rain-shadow, and a few other factors, the Atacama Desert is known for its hyper-arid conditions which are persisting here for a few tens of millions of years. That is why this place is called the driest non-polar place in the world. Aridity is present here since Mesozoic. Because of these conditions, Atacama was thought to be completely inhabitable and inappropriate for any life forms. Despite all the limiting factors, microbial life here exists. Microorganisms have created adaptations in the forms of specialized metabolisms, proteins, and most importantly in form of photoprotective pigments. Except for the structural mechanisms, extremophiles can choose a strategy of living evaporitic minerals, which are quite common in Atacama. For understanding these forms of life many scientific methods are used, for example Raman spectroscopy. Methods that are used here are often used also in extraterrestrial conditions, mainly on the planet Mars, which shares with Atacama few similarities (e.g., some evaporitic minerals). The study of adaptations and capabilities of extremophilic microorganisms can help to broaden the knowledge and understanding of how incredibly resilient life is. Keywords: The Atacama...
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Utilization of physico-chemical and spectroscopical methods in study on microbial extremofiles
Dobešová, Kateřina ; Enev, Vojtěch (referee) ; Sedláček, Petr (advisor)
The aim of this bachelor thesis is the determination od polyhydroxyalkanoates in the cells of extremophille bacterie, preformed by several methods. The chosen bacterium was Schlegelella thermodepolymerans DSM 15 344 Thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformation, and Raman spectroscopy were used in this thesis. The TGA method was used for the determination of extracellular and intracellular water in samples. The FTIR method was used in order to observe the amount od PHA, but aslo to observe the physical properties of the polymer in the sample, specifically to determine either amorphous or crystalline featuers of this polymer. Raman spectroscopy was used in oder to confirm the presence of PHA in the samples. All results e´were compared eith the results accomplished by gas chromatografy.
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Effect of temperature on life cycle of zygomycetes
Matoušková, Barbora ; Kubátová, Alena (advisor) ; Nováková, Alena (referee)
This thesis is aiming on zygomycetes, their importance, their current position in the Fungi kingdom and above all their ecological demands. The paper summarizes the influence of temperature on their life cycle (i.e. primarily on the growth, reproduction and production of metabolites). It focuses mainly on psychrophilic and thermophilic species and describes the mechanisms of adaptation to unfavorable living conditions. To investigate the influence of temperature, zygomycetes are exceptionally suitable model organisms, e.g. in the order Mucorales we can find relatives growing in diametrically different environments. Among the mechanisms of extreme temperature adaptation for zygomycetes are in particular trehalose production, a change in the degree of saturation of membrane phospholipids and the production of membrane stabilizing agents - sterols, glycolipids and sugar alcohols. Key words: temperature, growth, reproduction, life cycle, habitat, extremophiles, Mucoromycotina, Mortierellomycotina
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