Biólogo Marino, Universidad Austral de Chile, 1996

Magíster en Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, 2000

PhD, Imperial College London, Reino Unido, 2007

Interés Académico:

The surface of macroalgae is a protected and nutrient-rich habitat that harbors a dense, complex and highly dynamic microbial community, which play important roles in the physiology, ecology and evolution of the host. Different studies have shown that bacteria associated with marine macroalgae are a potential source of novel bioactive compounds. However, few studies to date have explored the diversity, ecological role and biotechnological potential of microorganisms associated with the surface of Antarctic macroalgae.

Our research addresses the question of what is the phylogenetic diversity of culturable Gram-positive bacteria associated with Antarctic macroalgae, and explores their ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical potential. Our approach uses a combination of culture-dependent methods, molecular-based identification methods and growth inhibition studies. Outcomes from this research include a better understanding of the taxonomic diversity and biotechnological importance of Antarctic bacteria. This research it will also set the stage for future heterologous expression studies of novel natural product gene clusters, aimed at exploiting the large chemical diversity of the Gram-positive bacteria associated with Antarctic seaweeds. In addition, it will contribute to collaboration with institutes, research groups and industry

• Alvarado, P., Huang, Y., Wang, J., Garrido, I. & Leiva, S. Phylogeny and bioactivity of epiphytic Gram-positive bacteria isolated from three co-occurring antarctic macroalgae. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 111, 1543-1555, doi:10.1007/s10482-018-1044-6 (2018)

• Leiva, S., Alvarado, P., Huang, Y., Wang, J. & Garrido, I. Diversity of pigmented Gram-positive bacteria associated with marine macroalgae from Antarctica. FEMS Microbiology Letters 362, doi:10.1093/femsle/fnv206 (2015)

• Wang, J., Leiva, S., Huang, J. & Huang, Y. Amycolatopsis antarctica nov., isolated from the surface of an Antarctic brown macroalga. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 68, 2348-2356, doi:10.1099/ijsem.0.002844 (2018)

• Alvarado, R. & Leiva, S. Agar-degrading bacteria isolated from Antarctic macroalgae. Folia Microbiol. 62, 409-416, doi:10.1007/s12223-017-0511-1 (2017)

• Sánchez Hinojosa, V., Asenjo, J. & Leiva, S. Agarolytic culturable bacteria associated with three antarctic subtidal macroalgae. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 34, 73, doi:10.1007/s11274-018-2456-1 (2018)

Responsable:

Colaborador:

Diversity and bioactive potential of marine macroalgae-associated Gram-positive bacteria

Contacto

• Fono: +56 63 2293856
• Email: sleiva@uach.cl
• Instituto de Bioquímica & Microbiología
• Campus Isla Teja / Valdivia