Microbial Ecology Laboratory

Biomonitoring and Bioprospecting
Our research focuses on extremophilic bacteria, particularly psychrotolerants from Arctic and Antarctic regions, metallotolerants, and strains resistant to toxic compounds (including antibiotics). Using structural and functional genomics, we investigate their metabolic pathways and resistance mechanisms, with an emphasis on whole-genome sequencing and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). We apply advanced computational analyses to explore the ecological and evolutionary roles of MGEs and their biogeography.

We assess the taxonomic and functional diversity of microbial communities in pristine and anthropogenically-shaped environments, aiming to understand adaptation and seasonal microbiome dynamics. One of the key research areas is the ecological and molecular characterization of antibiotic resistance, supported by our custom-developed bioinformatic tools and curated databases.

We also conduct biomonitoring studies focused on the detection and analysis of pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors across diverse environments. These efforts support applications in both human and veterinary medicine, enhancing our understanding of the environmental reservoirs and transmission routes of clinically relevant traits.

In parallel, we engage in bioprospecting of extreme environments for microbial strains, novel enzymes, and metabolites with high biotechnological potential, including their applications in regenerative agriculture and environmental biotechnologies.

Latest Papers

Computational pipeline for sustainable enzyme discovery through (re)use of metagenomic data
Karol Ciuchcinski, Anna-Karina Kaczorowska, Daria Biernacka, Sebastian Dorawa, Tadeusz Kaczorowski, Younginn Park, Karol Piekarski, Michal Stanowski, Takao Ishikawa, Runar Stokke, Ida Helene Steen, Lukasz Dziewit
Journal of Environmental Management, 382, 125381 (2025)
Engineered magnetic particles derived from steelmaking dust for phosphorus recovery and extracellular DNA removal from municipal wastewater
Mateusz Skalny, Jakub Czeremuga, Anna Rokowska, Marta Gajewska, Artur Blachowski, Mateusz Marzec, Krystian Sokolowski, Lukasz Dziewit, Tomasz Bajda
Journal of Environmental Management, 380, 124830 (2025)
The skin mycobiome of patients with atopic dermatitis and healthy volunteers: A case-control study
Magdalena Zychowska, Zofia Bakula, Przemyslaw Decewicz, Anita Hryncewicz-Gwozdz, Mariusz Dylag, Alina Jankowska-Konsur, Jan Gawor, Robert Gromadka, Anna Zaczek, Tomasz Jagielski
Experimental Dermatology, 34, e70085 (2025)
Comparative analysis of Legionella lytica genome identifies specific metabolic traits and virulence factors
Piotr Koper, Jakub Wysokinski, Kamil Zebracki, Przemyslaw Decewicz, Lukasz Dziewit, Michal Kalita, Marta Palusinska-Szysz, Andrzej Mazur
Scientific Reports, 15, 5554 (2025)