Browsing by Author "Oliveira, Vanessa"
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Assessing the genomic composition, putative ecological relevance and biotechnological potential of plasmids from sponge bacterial symbiontsPublication . Oliveira, Vanessa; Polónia, Ana R. M.; Cleary, Daniel F. R.; Huang, Yusheng M.; de Voogd, Nicole J.; Keller-Costa, Tina; Costa, Rodrigo; Gomes, Newton C. M.Plasmid-mediated transfer of genes can have direct consequences in several biological processes within sponge microbial communities. However, very few studies have attempted genomic and functional characterization of plasmids from marine host-associated microbial communities in general and those of sponges in particular. In the present study, we used an endogenous plasmid isolation method to obtain plasmids from bacterial symbionts of the marine sponges Stylissa carteri and Paratetilla sp. and investigated the genomic composition, putative ecological relevance and biotechnological potential of these plasmids. In total, we isolated and characterized three complete plasmids, three plasmid prophages and one incomplete plasmid. Our results highlight the importance of plasmids to transfer relevant genetic traits putatively involved in microbial symbiont adaptation and host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions. For example, putative genes involved in bacterial response to chemical stress, competition, metabolic versatility and mediation of bacterial colonization and pathogenicity were detected. Genes coding for enzymes and toxins of biotechnological potential were also detected. Most plasmid prophage coding sequences were, however, hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. Overall, this study highlights the ecological relevance of plasmids in the marine sponge microbiome and provides evidence that plasmids of sponge bacterial symbionts may represent an untapped resource of genes of biotechnological interest.
- Local communities and sport activities expenditures and image: residents’ role in sustainable tourism and recreationPublication . Perna, Fernando; Custódio, Maria João; Oliveira, VanessaThe practice of sports by resident communities is a tool for healthy lifestyles, inclusive growth and the promotion of sustainable cities. Nevertheless, the relationship between sport, tourism and recreation still remain an under researched theme. Focusing on the economic pillar of sustainability, this study intends to quantify and analyse the economic costs incurred by families in formal and informal sport practices, as well as the contribution of these activities and related events to the territory's image projection and attractiveness, by overlapping resident's and visitor's perception of sports in the destination. Applied to the municipality of Guimaraes (Portugal), this analysis of the sports consumer's behaviour contributes to filling the gap of knowledge resulting from the studies that, as a rule, exclusively evaluate the investments (supply) and/or the expenses (demand) of events and not the regular practice of sport. A total of 179 questionnaires were applied to residents throughout 2017, through the self-administrate questionnaire method. Findings reveal that residents see sports as one of the factors contributing to the identity of the municipality, underlying motivations for participation as the search for happiness, health, wellbeing, and fun. Expenditures generate multiplier effects in the local economy, allowing to compare growth scenarios. This analysis is a scientific instrument to support territorial innovation and the decision at the local level of public policies for sustainable development, in agreement with objective eight of sustainability defined by the United Nations.
- Marine sponge and octocoral-associated bacteria show versatile secondary metabolite biosynthesis potential and antimicrobial activities against human pathogensPublication . Almeida, João F.; Marques, Matilde; Oliveira, Vanessa; Egas, Conceição; Mil-Homens, Dalila; Viana, Romeu; Cleary, Daniel F. R.; Huang, Yusheng M.; Fialho, Arsénio M.; Teixeira, Miguel C.; Gomes, Newton C. M.; Costa, Rodrigo; Keller-Costa, TinaMarine microbiomes are prolific sources of bioactive natural products of potential pharmaceutical value. This study inspected two culture collections comprising 919 host-associated marine bacteria belonging to 55 genera and several thus-far unclassified lineages to identify isolates with potentially rich secondary metabolism and antimicrobial activities. Seventy representative isolates had their genomes mined for secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (SM-BGCs) and were screened for antimicrobial activities against four pathogenic bacteria and five pathogenic Candida strains. In total, 466 SM-BGCs were identified, with antimicrobial peptide- and polyketide synthase-related SM-BGCs being frequently detected. Only 38 SM-BGCs had similarities greater than 70% to SM-BGCs encoding known compounds, highlighting the potential biosynthetic novelty encoded by these genomes. Cross-streak assays showed that 33 of the 70 genome-sequenced isolates were active against at least one Candida species, while 44 isolates showed activity against at least one bacterial pathogen. Taxon-specific differences in antimicrobial activity among isolates suggested distinct molecules involved in antagonism against bacterial versus Candida pathogens. The here reported culture collections and genome-sequenced isolates constitute a valuable resource of understudied marine bacteria displaying antimicrobial activities and potential for the biosynthesis of novel secondary metabolites, holding promise for a future sustainable production of marine drug leads.
- Multitaxon activity profiling reveals differential microbial response to reduced seawater pH and oil pollutionPublication . Coelho, Francisco J. R. C.; Cleary, Daniel F. R.; Costa, Rodrigo; Ferreira, Marina; Polonia, Ana R. M.; Silva, Artur M. S.; Simoes, Mario M. Q.; Oliveira, Vanessa; Gomes, Newton C. M.There is growing concern that predicted changes to global ocean chemistry will interact with anthropogenic pollution to significantly alter marine microbial composition and function. However, knowledge of the compounding effects of climate change stressors and anthropogenic pollution is limited. Here, we used 16S and 18S rRNA (cDNA)-based activity profiling to investigate the differential responses of selected microbial taxa to ocean acidification and oil hydrocarbon contamination under controlled laboratory conditions. Our results revealed that a lower relative abundance of sulphate-reducing bacteria (Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus clade) due to an adverse effect of seawater acidification and oil hydrocarbon contamination (reduced pH-oil treatment) may be coupled to changes in sediment archaeal communities. In particular, we observed a pronounced compositional shift and marked reduction in the prevalence of otherwise abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to the archaeal Marine Benthic Group B and Marine Hydrothermal Vent Group (MHVG) in the reduced pH-oil treatment. Conversely, the abundance of several putative hydrocarbonoclastic fungal OTUs was higher in the reduced pH-oil treatment. Sediment hydrocarbon profiling, furthermore, revealed higher concentrations of several alkanes in the reduced pH-oil treatment, corroborating the functional implications of the structural changes to microbial community composition. Collectively, our results advance the understanding of the response of a complex microbial community to the interaction between reduced pH and anthropogenic pollution. In future acidified marine environments, oil hydrocarbon contamination may alter the typical mixotrophic and k-/r-strategist composition of surface sediment microbiomes towards a more heterotrophic state with lower doubling rates, thereby impairing the ability of the ecosystem to recover from acute oil contamination events.
- Tourism destination competitiveness: an application model for the south of Portugal versus the Mediterranean region of Spain: COMPETITIVTOURPublication . Perna, Fernando; Custódio, Maria João; Oliveira, VanessaTourism destination competitiveness analysis benefits from a growing number of theoretical and applied developments. To support competitiveness strategies and despite the paraphernalia of competitiveness indexes available, there is not just a single set of indicators that can be used for all destinations at all times. The COMPETITIVTOUR model, developed since 2009 is applied to the south of Portugal versus the Mediterranean regions of Spain, a geographical area that aggregates 14 provinces, 20.2 million inhabitants and 180.1 million overnight stays. COMPETITIVTOUR's objective is to create and apply a territorial assessment model, adapted to the common specificities of these regions, aiming to assist in guiding the complex task of destination competiveness management, with inputs from 25 official producers of information from Portugal and Spain. The outputs are aggregated in three main topics: territory management, markets, and resources&products. Critical areas were identified, with emphasis on the growing seasonality of demand, the market demand and supply adjustment and accommodation prices.