NCN Grant for Research on the Role of Bacterial Exopolymers in Improving Soil Quality

04 08 2025

The project “Bacterial exopolymers (EPS) as a survival strategy in stressful environments and an opportunity to improve soil quality (hElPStress)” has been awarded funding under the Sonata 20 call of the National Science Centre. The project will be carried out over 36 months by a consortium of three research institutions: the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation – State Research Institute (IUNG-PIB, project leader), the University of Warsaw, and Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. The project leader is Dr. Karolina Furtak (IUNG-PIB), and the coordinator of the research conducted at the Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw – Dr. Klaudia Dębiec-Andrzejewska.

Soil degradation poses a threat to food security and ecosystem stability. The aim of the project is to investigate whether soil bacteria exposed to environmental stress (such as drought, flooding, or pollution) produce exopolymers (EPS) that can improve soil structure, increase its water retention capacity, and support bioremediation – the process of cleaning the environment with the help of microorganisms. This research may contribute to the development of new, biological methods for the reclamation of degraded soils, supporting agriculture and environmental protection in the face of climate change.