title: MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF GENE REGULATION AND GENETIC DIVERSITY IN CHANGING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
reg no: SF0182562As03
project type: targeted financing
subject: 1.6-1.9. Chemistry and Molecular Biology
1.10-1.16. Bio-Geo Sciences
2. Engineering
status: accepted
institution: University of Tartu
head of project: Ain Heinaru
duration: 01.01.2003 - 31.12.2007
description: Project contains 5 subprojects that are divided between three different institutions (IMCB of TU, Institute of Technology of TU, Estonian Biocentre). Staff consists of 18 full time researchers, the PIs are 1 professor, 3 associated professors and 1 senior researcher. It is expected to study: 1) Biodegradative potential of microbial populations; 2) Regulation of expression of virulence factors in phytopathogen Erwinia carotovora: 3) Regulation of metabolic processes and genetic rearrangements in bacteria and regulation of gene expression in methylotrophic yeasts; 4) Mechanisms of adaptation to industrial wastes from the aspect of horizontal gene transfer and environmental technology, and new microbial technologies based on renewable raw materials. All these investigations are connected with the study of processes of biodegradation by using modern methods of molecular genetics and biotechnology. Several post-graduate and PhD students are involved. This study is mostly basic research. However, these investigations are connected with real pollution problems in nature. Mostly microbes that are investigated originate from pollutedenvironment. It gives the dimension of technological development to the studies. We expect that our research results will give important new information on gene regulation and genetic rearrangements in natural conditions. One part of current investigation is directly connected with applied research and is directed to the optimisation of the microbiological production of lactic acid and study of possibilities to produce biodegradative plastics.

project group
no name institution position  
1.Tiina AlamäeTÜMRIdotsent 
2.Koit ArroTÜMRImagistrant 
3.Ain HeinaruUniversity of Tartuk.prof. 
4.Eeva HeinaruUniversity of Tartuteadur 
5.Rita HõrakEstonian Biocentrevanemteadur 
6.Heili IlvesTÜMRIteadur 
7.Jaanis JuhansonTÜMRImagistrant 
8.Eerik JõgiTÜTIteadur 
9.Maia KivisaarTÜMRIdotsent 
10.Viia KõivTÜMRIteadur 
11.Pille KängseppUniversity of Tartudoktorant 
12.Liis KärmeUniversity of Tartumagistrant 
13.Eve LaasikTÜMRIteadur 
14.Hedi LaursooTÜMRImagistrant 
15.Reet MaritsTÜMRIteadur 
16.Oliver MeikarTÜMRImagistrant 
17.Merike MerimaaUniversity of Tartuteadur 
18.Tiina MichelsonTÜTIteadur 
19.Andres MäeTÜMRIdotsent 
20.Allan NurkTÜTIvanemteadur 
21.Maire PetersTÜTIteadur 
22.Marta PutrinšTÜMRImagistrant 
23.Pille PärnTÜMRImagistrant 
24.Kristi PärtTÜMRImagistrant 
25.Signe SaumaaTÜMRIdoktorant 
26.Indrek SuitsoTÜTIteh.spets. 
27.Ene TalpsepTÜTIteadur 
28.Radi TegovaTÜMRImagistrant 
29.Riho TerasTÜMRIteadur 
30.Kadri TomassonTÜMRIdoktorant 
31.Andres ToverTÜMRIteadur 
32.Jaak TruuUniversity of Tartuteadur 
33.Madis TõnsTÜMRImagistrant 
34.Helen UdrasTÜMRIdoktorant 
35.Merle VahterTÜMRImagistrant 
36.Eve VedlerUniversity of Tartuteadur 
37.Signe ViggorUniversity of Tartuteadur 
38.Marti ViirmäeTÜMRImagistrant