Bioactive compounds from extremophilic microorganisms of the Omani deserts

Omani desert cover large areas and is inhabited by high diversity of extremophilic microorganisms that are tolerant to high temperatures and UV radiations. Although much is known about the diversity of microorganisms in deserts, little research was performed to explore their secondary metabolites that are of biotechnological importance. In this proposal, we plan to use existing cultures from Omani and to isolate new strains and to screen them for several bioactivities including antibacterial, antifungal, antialgal, anti-quorum sensing as well as anti-cancer. This project will be carried out in close collaboration with University of Applied Sciences, KREMS, Austria and to use their long experience in drug discovery. During the project, both Oman and Austrian students will be exchanged and trained in different disciplines. We also plan to perform co-culture experiments using the fermentation unit at KREMS in order to reveal changes in their physiology and to look for new drugs. This project is expected to result in discovery of new bioactivities and to pave the path for new drug discovery. The research outcome will be published in high-impact factor journal.