About us
The ISPA unit located in Lecce has a staff of 20 people: 2 senior scientists, 12 researchers, 4 research laboratory assistants, 2 administrative specialists. The Institute also hosts several undergraduate students, Ph.D. students and post-doctoral research fellows who actively participate to the ongoing research programs.
Main laboratories are: plant and animal cell culture, microscopy, molecular biology, nucleic acid sequencing, biochemistry, microbiology and fermentation. Among the available facilities there are the followings: plant growth chambers, fermenters for plant cells and microorganisms, systems for liquid chromatography (FPLC-HPLC) equipped with UV/visible and photodiodes, gas chromatograph, gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, phase contrast optical microscopes, with inverted and epifluorescence, confocal laser microscope, real time PCR, nucleic acids sequencer.
Mission and Research activities
The research activities are aimed at the development and transfer of innovations in the field of quality and food safety. Particular attention is given to the application of innovative technologies and biotechnologies for the improvement of traditional food products as well as for the development of new products with improved functional properties and novel foods.
Research areas:
Microbial biotechnology for the improvement of wine and table olive sectors
- selection and characterization of lactic acid bacteria and of indigenous wine yeasts associated to grape varieties and wine-making areas in Puglia region, through the application of molecular methods, analysis of phenotypic and genotypic features, study of physiological and technological properties
- selection and characterization of fermentation starters to improve the control of fermentation process and to enhance wine aroma
- selection and characterization of indigenous microorganisms (yeasts, bacteria, mold) to be used for the sweetening of table olives by natural fermentation
Production of bioactive compounds
- biotechnological production of bioactive molecules (tocopherols, anthocyanins, resveratrol, artemisinin etc.) throughout the use of plant cell cultures
- extraction of bioactive compounds from different plant matrices, agro-products and marine biomass; evaluation of their biological activity using in vitro assays on animal cell cultures; assessment of the stability of bioactive compounds (free or encapsulated) for the development of functional foods
- production of recombinant proteins with potential applications in the agro-industry by the means of heterologous systems (bacteria/yeast)
Plant cell metabolic pathways and plant/food-quality
- study of metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of plant metabolites important for the organoleptic and nutritional properties of plant/food products (i.e. lipid metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway)
- regulation and modification of metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites with health properties (i.e. polyphenols) in species of agronomic interest
- study of plant response to abiotic stresses with particular regard to water stress
Coordinator
Dr. Giovanni MITA
ISPA-CNR
via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni
73100 Lecce
Tel.: 0832 422600
Fax: 0832 422620
e-mail: giovanni.mita@ispa.cnr.it
