NCN SONATA grant to investigate the symbiosis between fungi and bacteria and its biotechnological potential

26 06 2026

Dr Mikołaj Dziurzyński from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology has received PLN 1,247,300 in funding from the National Science Centre under the SONATA 21 call for the project entitled “Metabolic foundations of the facultative Umbelopsis–Paraburkholderia symbiosis as a basis for novel biotechnological applications”.

Fungi from the Mucoromycota phylum can form unique facultative relationships with bacteria. In these partnerships, each organism can survive on its own, but growing together brings them significant, measurable benefits. This project focuses on investigating precisely this kind of system: the fungus Umbelopsis and the bacterium Paraburkholderia, which is capable of living inside the fungal hyphae. This research is highly significant for modern biotechnology because these organisms can effectively complement each other’s metabolism when working together. Combining the unique traits of both partners allows their consortium to utilize a broader range of nutrients and thrive in environments that would be inaccessible to either of them alone. Preliminary studies have already shown that the bacterium significantly expands the metabolic capabilities of the fungus, leading to the production of valuable chemical compounds. Understanding the mechanisms behind this cooperation is crucial for designing new, sustainable processes based on microbial consortia.

The innovative nature of this project lies in providing the first comprehensive and detailed metabolic breakdown of a facultative fungal-bacterial symbiosis. The project will utilize cutting-edge systems biology techniques. High-throughput growth assays will identify the consortium’s preferred sources of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur. Meanwhile, combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses will help identify “hidden” metabolic pathways, meaning genes and metabolites that activate only when the organisms grow together. The large-scale data collected will be used to refine predictive metabolic models that map out the exact exchange of compounds between the partners. A unique aspect of the research involves verifying these model predictions under real-world conditions through long-term experiments in a continuous bioreactor.

Ultimately, the project will not only uncover the fundamental mechanisms of microbial cooperation but also pave the way for designing innovative industrial processes driven by collaborating microorganisms.

Warm congratulations on receiving the grant, and best wishes for the successful completion of the project!

Details of the National Science Centre funding calls are available at:
https://www.ncn.gov.pl/aktualnosci/2026-06-11-wyniki-opus30-sonata21