RESEARCH TOPICS FOR XL CYCLE – Selection procedure for one position with grant on the specific topic "Microbial fermentation as a tool to develop functional food enriched in bioactive peptides from dairy wastes (MICROHEALTHY)"
1 (one) position with grant to be carried out mainly at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy) on the following Research topic:
Microbial fermentation as a tool to develop functional food enriched in bioactive peptides from dairy wastes (MICROHEALTHY)
Title: Microbial fermentation as a tool to develop functional food enriched in bioactive peptides from dairy wastes (MICROHEALTHY)
Scientific tutor: Lisa Solieri
Hosting Institution: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)
Bioactive peptides (BP) are short oligopeptides with a plethora of functional actions promoting human health, such antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and anti-diabetic activities. They can be released by the action of different microbial cells during the growth on protein-enriched substrates, including dairy whey resulting from cheesemaking processes. Goal of the present PhD project is to investigate the microbiota and the peptidomic profiles in different food matrices and select food-grade microbial cultures with the ability to release BP from dairy whey wastes. Genomics of the best BP-producer microbes will be implemented to determine the genetic basis underpinning the high BP-releasing phenotype. Laboratory -scale fermentation trials will be carried out using dairy whey and whey protein concentrates as substrates for setting up the extrinsic parameters maximizing BP release and for optimizing the production of whey drinks enriched in BP. As a key for fulfilling all the objectives, the MICROHEALTHY project will be based on a multidisciplinary structure including omics, microbiological, biotechnological, and data analysis tools. To guarantee the scheduled timeline, the whole activities will be organized in a work-package system. Within this PhD, a period of research to conduct in a foreign research institute (minimum 6 months, not necessarily consecutive), is planned.
Required skills: basic knowledge in microbiology, bioinformatics, and data analysis; high motivation to build up and conduct research activity at the home institution and in international research teams. Critical view of drawbacks and results analysis, high capacity to communicate results orally and in preparing scientific reports.