Bacterial Spore: analysis of surface proteins and biotechnological applications

In my PhD project, I focused on two bacteria of the same genus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium. These organisms are Gram-positive, aerobic and spore formers. This work includes studies on the sporulation temperature consequences on the ultrastructure and the protein composition of the spore surface layers and on the functional properties of spores produced at growth temperature 25 and 42°C, in comparison to an optimal growth temperature (37°C). In addition, I focused on the possibility to use the bacterial spore as a platform to deliver Bio-Drugs to gastro-intestinal as they are able to stabilize and protect the adsorbed molecules by degradation and to ensure its activity. Moreover, the antioxidant properties of B.subtilis and B.megaterium spores have been also investigated analyzing the mechanism of action and the effects in vitro and in vivo.The results have showed that the spores are able to exert a preventive and therapeutic effect on the cells through the nuclear translocation of the transcriptional factor NRF-2, involved in the activation of responsive genes stress.