Bioproducts from natural resources implies environmental exploitation that leads to loss of biodiversity, food insecurity and climate changes (10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.12.048). Natural resources exploitation can be avoided by finding alternative sources of bioproducts.Marine organisms living in extreme environments have capacity in biosynthesizing novel bioactive compounds, which are potentially useful for pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and biotechnological applications (doi: 10.3390/md18120657). The goal of this PhD project is to obtain sustainable bioproducts from bacteria. New Antarctic bacterial strains are available in the laboratory of the Reference person. Some metabolic features of these Antarctic microorganisms are already known:• these bacteria can be used in bioremediation (granted patent n. PCT/EP2020/071193). • these bacteria can produce siderophores, biosurfanctants (granted patent n PCT/EP2020/071193) and biocellulose from waste (patents PCT/EP2021/086747 and PCT/EP2021/086800).The PhD candidate will work on: 1- characterization of the enzymes involved in bioproduct synthesis; 2- biomolecules characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy; 3- protocols optimization for the biosynthesis and definition of potential uses; 4- possible application of these bacteria in recycle of food waste.

Basic skills in microbiology, engineering, biotechnology,

Sandra Pucciarelli is a Senior researcher (with habilitation) in the field of environmental adaptation and microbiology. She is also expert in molecular biology and biotechnology. From a long time, she is part of a research group working on environmental adaptation and molecular evolution in Antarctic microorganisms. Recently, her research moved in the synthesis of biomaterials using bacteria, focusing mainly on metal nanoparticles with antibiotic activity, and bio active fluorescent pigments. Furthermore, she optimized a protocol for large scale production and purification of biocellulose. Being the President of the startup IrIdES (https://www.Irides.Eu/wp/homepage/), she can rely on the expertise of the other members of the company in the field of environmental/analytical chemistry, environmental remediation, functional nanomaterials, characterization, and application of natural dyes. The team is also composed by young researchers with skills in microbiology and bioinformatics. The research group can also rely on international collaborators: Prof Pietro Liò (University of Cambridge) that can support the bioinformatics approach, and prof. Ilidio Correia (Universidade da Beira Interior) that can provide his expertise in the application of biocellulose and metal nanoparticles in the production of wound healing materials.Paper mills can support the PhD student in biocellulose production.The research group is operating at the School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine of the University of Camerino (UNICAM) that hosts the coordination of the PhD course in Life and Health Sciences. The University has a strong commitment to doctoral training and internationalization. From 2005 the School of Advanced Studies at UNICAM promotes structured doctoral courses with high level of internationalization and collaborative interaction with industries.