Development of enzyme based assays of functional diversity in soil and methods for monitoring expression of genes codifying enzymes

Fellowship Code: 
ESR9
Host: 
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE
Supervisor: 
Prof. Paolo Nannipieri

ESR9 project will compare assays for determining urease, protease, alkaline and acid phosphomonoesterase and B-glucosidase activities based on fluorescent and colorimetric methods by using soils selected by the project. In addition both detection and expression of genes encoding these enzymes will be compared with the measured enzyme assays so as to assess the origin of the measured enzyme activities. An innovative aspect of the training program of the PhD student of ESR9 will be the potential reconstruction of predictable enzyme coding ORF by comparing genomic and transcriptomic analyses to be verified by the proteomic approach. The role of bioinformatics expertise will be important.

Research Objectives: 

Comparison of assays for determining urease, protease, alkaline and acid phosphomonoesterase and B-glucosidase activities based on fluorescent and colorimetric methods.