MSc. Pawel Michał Markwitz, PhD
Job Position: Postdoc - Department of Aquatic Microbial Ecology (AME)
Phone:
+420 387 77 5885
E-mail:
pawel.markwitz@hbu.cas.cz
Room:
B 023
My research focuses on phage (viruses infecting bacteria) detection and phage genome analysis and interaction with the bacterial host.
My current research is on phages of freshwater bacteria. Phages are present in all ecosystems and structure microbial communities through the regulation of host populations and the release of host-bound nutrients through lysis. Metagenomics revealed a huge phage diversity in nature but often failed to assign hosts to phages. Especially in freshwater environments, this is partly due to the lack of cultured reference phages and their hosts. Recent advances in bacterial cultivation enabled the isolation of abundant freshwater bacteria (e.g., Fonsibacter, Methylopumilus) and we have a large culture collection of such strains. My research aims to both analyze changes in metaviromes over the seasons and isolate new phages targeting hosts from our bacterial collection. I am studying the host range, natural abundance and dynamics of newly isolated phages.
Curriculum vitae
Jan 2024 – Now Postdoc at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre CAS
Dec 2020 – Sept 2023 Research and teaching assistant University of Wrocław, Poland in the department of pathogen biology and immunology
Sept 2016 – June 2023 PhD at University of Wrocław, Poland. Faculty of Biological Sciences. Supervisor: Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa. Thesis: Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants isolated from populations treated with lythic phages.
2011 – 2016 Bachelor & Master studies in Biology, University of Wrocław, Poland
Participation in research projects
Czech Science Foundation (2024 – 2025) Phage host hunt: finding hosts for freshwater phages PI: Dr. Markus Haber.
The Polish National Science Centre (2019-2020) Elaboration and characterisctics of bio-composites with anti-virulent and anti-bacterial properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PI: Prof. Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa
The Polish National Science Centre (2017-2019) Surface carbohydrate-dependent phages select for resistant bacterial population that become more susceptible to host clearance mechanisms of immune system. PI: Prof. Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa
Scientific profiles with full publication lists:
ORCID: 0000-0002-3511-1101
ResearcherID: KFQ-6120-2024
SCOPUS ID: 57193004624
