MYPLACE: Exploration of antarctic microbiota and mycoviruses associated with Colobanthus quitensis

The MYPLACE project, funded by the National Antarctic Research Program (PNRA), aims to deepen the understanding of interactions between the microbiota and the Antarctic plant Colobanthus quitensis, with a particular focus on mycoviruses and associated fungal biodiversity. As part of this project, coordinated by Dr. Laura Bertini from the Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB) in collaboration with the University of Padua and IPSP in Turin, Prof. Carla Caruso is participating in the 40th Antarctic expedition. The expedition, which began on January 1, 2025, and will conclude on February 7, 2025, is taking place at the Polish Henryk Arctowski Station on King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands archipelago.

The project aims to investigate how different environmental factors influence the composition of the microbiota associated with the leaves of C. quitensis, with a particular focus on fungi containing mycoviruses and mycoviro-like particles. It also seeks to explore the natural biodiversity of fungi and their associated viruses to understand their role in the adaptation of plants to extreme environmental conditions. Additionally, the impact of these microorganisms on the plant’s growth and tolerance to extreme conditions will be studied.

MYPLACE also aims to identify and characterize bioactive fungal compounds extracted from C. quitensis with potential biotechnological applications. The analysis of fungal-associated viromes will contribute to a better understanding of the tripartite interactions between plant, fungus, and virus and their impact on the Antarctic ecosystem. The project seeks results that could open new horizons for bioprospecting and the biotechnological exploitation of molecules and enzymes derived from extremophilic fungi.