Laboratory of Plant Microbiology

Research areas:

• Biological control of plant pathogens
• Antibacterial activity of Pseudomonas spp.
• Quorum sensing of Gram-negative bacteria
• Quorum quenching as a strategy for biocontrol of plant pathogens

Laboratory of Plant Microbiology

Department of Biotechnology
Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG&MUG
Abrahama 58 Street, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland

Office: Małgorzata Świderska 
tel: +48 58 523 6360

STAFF LIST

Head: Prof. Sylwia Jafra [link]
tel.: +48 58 523 6315 [e-mail] 

List of Employees and PhD students:

dr Magdalena Rajewska  [link]
tel.: +48 58 523 6316 [e-mail]

1. Maciąg Tomasz, Kozieł Edmund, Rusin Piotr, Otulak-Kozieł Katarzyna, Jafra Sylwia, Czajkowski Robert. Microbial Consortia for Plant Protection against Diseases: More than the Sum of Its Parts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023, 24(15): 12227 (doi: 10.3390/ijms241512227)

2. Krzyżanowska Dorota M., Jabłońska Magdalena, Kaczyński Zbigniew, Czerwicka‑Pach Małgorzata, Macur Katarzyna, Jafra Sylwia. Host-adaptive traits in the plant-colonizing Pseudomonas donghuensis P482 revealed by transcriptomic responses to exudates of tomato and maize. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 9445 (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36494-6)

3. Sokolova Daryna, Smolarska Anna, Bartnik Przemysław, Rąbalski Łukasz, Kosiński Maciej, Narajczyk Magdalena, Krzyżanowska Dorota M., Rajewska Magdalena, Mruk Inez, Czaplewska Paulina, Jafra Sylwia, Czajkowski Robert. Spontaneous mutations in hlyD and tuf genes result in resistance of Dickeya solani IPO 2222 to phage ϕD5 but cause decreased bacterial fitness and virulence in planta. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 7534 (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-34803-7)

4. Borowicz Marcin, Krzyżanowska Dorota, Jafra Sylwia. Crystal violet-based assay for the assessment of bacterial biofilm formation in medical tubing. Journal of Microbiological Methods 2023, 204: 106656 (doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2022.106656)

5. Maciąg Tomasz, Krzyżanowska Dorota M., Rąbalski Łukasz, Jafra Sylwia, Czajkowski Robert. Complete Genome Sequences of Five Gram-Negative Bacterial Strains Comprising Synthetic Bacterial Consortium “The Great Five” with Antagonistic Activity Against Plant-Pathogenic Pectobacterium spp. and Dickeya spp. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 2022, 35:8 (doi: 10.1094/MPMI-01-22-0020-A)

6. Krzyżanowska Dorota M., Iwanicki Adam, Czajkowski Robert, Jafra Sylwia. High-quality complete genome resource of tomato rhizosphere strain Pseudomonas donghuensis P482, a representative of a species with biocontrol activity against plant pathogens. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 2021, 34(12): 1450-1454 (doi: 10.1094/MPMI-06-21-0136-A)

7. Matuszewska Marta, Maciąg Tomasz, Rajewska Magdalena, Wierzbicka Aldona, Jafra Sylwia. The carbon source-dependent pattern of antimicrobial activity and gene expression in Pseudomonas donghuensis P482. Scientific Reports 2021, 11: 10994 (doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90488-w)

8. Bartnik Przemysław, Jafra Sylwia, Narajczyk Magdalena, Czaplewska Paulina, Czajkowski Robert. Pectobacterium parmentieri SCC 3193 Mutants with Altered Synthesis of Cell Surface Polysaccharides Are Resistant to N4-Like Lytic Bacteriophage ϕA38 (vB_Ppp_A38) but Express Decreased Virulence in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Plants. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22(14): 7346 (doi: 10.3390/ijms22147346)

9. Czajkowski Robert, Rąbalski Łukasz, Bartnik Przemysław, Jafra Sylwia. High-quality complete genome resource of plant pathogenic bacterium Dickeya solani strain IPO 2019 isolated from Hyacinthus orientalis. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 2021, 34(9): 1088-1092 (doi: 10.1094/MPMI-03-21-0050-A)

10. Bourigault Yvann, Chane Andrea, Barbey Corinne, Jafra Sylwia, Czajkowski Robert, Latour Xavier. Biosensors Used for Epifluorescence and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopies to Study Dickeya and Pectobacterium Virulence and Biocontrol. Microorganisms 2021, 9(2): 295 (doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9020295)

11. Szpakowska Nikola, Kowalczyk Agnieszka, Jafra Sylwia, Kaczynski Zbigniew. The chemical structure of polysaccharides isolated from the Ochrobactrum rhizosphaerae PR17T. Carbohydrate research 2020, 497: 108136 (doi:10.1016/j.carres.2020.108136)

12. Czajkowski Robert, Fikowicz-Krośko Jakub, Maciąg Tomasz, Rąbalski Łukasz, Czaplewska Paulina, Jafra Sylwia, Richert Malwina, Krychowiak-Maśnicka Marta, Hugouvieux-Cotte-Pattat Nicole. Genome-Wide Identification of Dickeya solani Transcriptional Units Up-Regulated in Response to Plant Tissues From a Crop-Host Solanum tuberosum and a Weed-Host Solanum dulcamara. Frontiers in Plant Science 2020, 11:580330 (doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.580330)

13. Maciąg Tomasz, Krzyżanowska Dorota, Jafra Sylwia, Siwińska Joanna, Czajkowski Robert. The Great Five – an artificial bacterial consortium with antagonistic activity towards Pectobacterium spp. and Dickeya spp.: formulation, shelf life and the ability to prevent soft rot of potato in storage. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2020, 104: 4547-4561 (doi: 10.1007/s00253-020-10550-x)

14. Krzyżanowska Dorota, Maciag Tomasz, Ossowicki Adam, Rajewska Magdalena, Kaczynski Zbigniew, Czerwicka Malgorzata, Rabalski Lukasz, Czaplewska Paulina, Jafra Sylwia. Ochrobactrum quorumnocens sp. nov., a quorum quenching bacterium from the potato rhizosphere, and comparative genome analysis with related type strains. PLOS ONE 2019, 14 (1): e0210874 (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210874)

15. Krzyżanowska Dorota, Supernat Anna, Maciąg Tomasz, Matuszewska Marta, Jafra Sylwia. Selection of reference genes for measuring the expression of aiiO in Ochrobactrum quorumnocens A44 using RT-qPCR. Scientific Reports 2019, 9: 13129 (doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-49474-6)

16. Krzyżanowska Dorota, Maciąg Tomasz, Siwińska Joanna, Krychowiak Marta, Jafra Sylwia, Czajkowski Robert. Compatible mixture of bacterial antagonists developed to protect potato tubers from soft rot caused by Pectobacterium spp. and Dickeya spp.. Plant Disease 2019, 103(6): 1374-1382 (doi: 10.1094/PDIS-10-18-1866-RE)

17. Lisicka Wioletta, Fikowicz-Krosko Jakub, Jafra Sylwia, Narajczyk Magdalena, Czaplewska Paulina, Czajkowski Robert. Oxygen Availability Influences Expression of Dickeya solani Genes Associated With Virulence in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 2018, 9: 374 (doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00374)

18. Czajkowski Robert, Kaczyńska Natalia, Jafra Sylwia, Narajczyk Magdalena, Łojkowska Ewa. Temperature-responsive genetic loci in pectinolytic plant pathogenic Dickeya solani. Plant Pathlogy 2017,  66: 584-594 (doi: 10.1111/ppa.12618)

19. Ossowicki Adam, Jafra Sylwia, Garbeva Paolina. The antimicrobial volatile power of the rhizospheric isolate Pseudomonas donghuensis P482. PLOS ONE 2017, 12(3): e0174362 (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174362)

20. Krzyżanowska Dorota M, Ossowicki Adam, Rajewska Magdalena, Maciag Tomasz, Jabłonska  Magdalena, Obuchowski Michał, Heeb Stephan, Jafra  Sylwia.  When Genome-Based Approach Meets the "Old but Good": Revealing Genes Involved in the Antibacterial Activity of Pseudomonas sp P482 against Soft Rot Pathogens. Frontiers in Microbiology 2016 , 7: 782 (doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2076.00782)

21. Adam Eveline, Groenenboom Anneloes, Kurm Viola, Rajewska Magdalena,  Schmidt Ruth, Tyc Olaf, Weidner Simone, Berg Gabriele, de Boer Wietse, Falcão Salles Joana. Controlling the microbiome: microhabitat adjustments for successful biocontrol strategies in soil and human gut. Frontiers in Microbiology 2016, 7: 1079 (doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01079)

22. Czajkowski Robert, Ozymko Zofia, de Jager Victor, Siwińska Joanna, Smolarska Anna, Ossowicki Adam, Narajczyk Magdalena, Łojkowska Ewa. Genomic, Proteomic and Morphological Characterization of Two Novel Broad Host Lytic Bacteriophages ΦPD10.3 and ΦPD23.1 Infecting Pectinolytic Pectobacterium spp. and Dickeya spp. PLoS ONE 2015, 10(3): art. no e0119812 (1-23) (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119812)

23. Song Chunxu, Schmidt Ruth, de Jager Victor, Krzyżanowska Dorota, Jongedijk Esmer, Cankar Katarina, Beekwilder Jules, van Veen Anouk, de Boer Wietse, van Veen Johannes A., Garbeva Paolina. Exploring the genomic traits of fungus-feeding bacterial genus Collimonas. BMC Genomics 2015, 16(1): art. no 1103 (1-17) (doi: 10.1186/s12864-015-2289-3).

24. Czajkowski Robert, Perombelon M. C. M., Jafra Sylwia, Łojkowska Ewa, Potrykus Marta, van der Wolf Jan M., Śledź Wojciech. Detection, identification and differentiation of Pectobacterium and Dickeya species causing potato blackleg and tuber soft rot: a review. Annals of Applied Biology 2015, 166(1): 18-38 (doi: 10.1111/aab.12166).

25. Krzyżanowska Dorota M., Ossowicki Adam, Jafra Sylwia. Genome sequence of Pseudomonas sp. strain P482, a tomato rhizosphere isolate with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Genome Announcements 2014, 2(3): art. no e00394/14  (1-2) (doi: 10.1128/genomeA.00394-14).

26. Czajkowski Robert, de Boer Waldo, van der Zouwen Patricia, Kastelein Pieter, Jafra Sylwia, de Haan Eisse, Bovenkamp Ge, van der Wolf Jan. Virulence of Dickeya solani and Dickeya dianthicola biovars 1 and 7 strains on potato (Solanum tuberosum). Plant Pathology 2013, 62(3): 597-610.

27. Krzyżanowska Dorota M., Iwanicki Adam, Ossowicki Adam, Obuchowski Michał, Jafra Sylwia. Genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis MB73/2, a soil isolate inhibiting the growth of plant pathogens Dickeya spp. and Rhizoctonia solani. Genome Announcements 2013, 1(3): art. no. e00238-13 (1-2).

28. Golanowska Małgorzata, Ankiewicz Hanna, Taraszkiewicz Aleksandra, Kamysz Wojciech, Czajkowski Robert, Królicka Aleksandra, Jafra Sylwia. Combined effect of the antagonistic potential of selected Pseudomonas spp. strains and the synthetic peptide “CAMEL” on Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and P. syringae pv. morsprunorum. Journal of Plant Pathology 2012, 94(Suppl. 1): S1.69-S1.73.

29. Krzyżanowska Dorota M., Potrykus Marta, Golanowska Małgorzata, Polonis Katarzyna, Gwizdek-Wiśniewska Anna, Łojkowska Ewa, Jafra Sylwia. Rhizosphere bacteria as potential biocontrol agents against soft rot caused by various Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp. strains. Journal of Plant Pathology 2012, 94(2): 367-378.

30. Krzyżanowska Dorota, Obuchowski Michał, Bikowski Mariusz, Rychłowski Michał, Jafra Sylwia. Colonization of potato rhizosphere by GFP-tagged Bacillus subtilis MB73/2, Pseudomonas sp. P482 and Ochrobactrum sp. A44 shown on large sections of root using enrichment sample preparation and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Sensors 2012, 12(12): 17608-17619.

31. Taraszkiewicz A., Jafra S., Skrzypczak A., Kamiński M., Królicka A. Antibacterial activity of secondary metabolites from in vitro culture of Drosera gigantea against the plant pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and P. syringae pv. morsprunorum. Journal of Plant Pathology 2012, 94(Suppl. 1): S1.63-S1.68.

32. Czajkowski R., Krzyżanowska D., Karczewska J., Atkinson S., Przysowa J., Łojkowska E., Williams P., Jafra S. Inactivation of AHLs by Ochrobactrum sp. A44 depends on the activity of a novel class of AHL acylase. Environmental Microbiology Reports 2011, 3(1): 59-68.

33. Czajkowski R., Jafra S. Quenching of acyl-homoserine lactone-dependent quorum sensing by enzymatic disruption of signal molecules. Acta Biochimica Polonica 2009, 56(1): 1-16

34. Jafra Sylwia, Przysowa Joanna, Gwizdek-Wiśniewska Anna, van der Wolf Jan Potential of bulb-associated bacteria for biocontrol of hyacinth soft rot caused by Dickeya zeae. Journal of Applied Microbiology 2009, 106(1): 268-277.

35. Poddębniak Mateusz, Jafra Sylwia Biodegradacyjna i bioadsorpcyjna zdolność bakterii z rodzaju Ochrobactrum i możliwość jej wykorzystania w bioremediacji środowiska naturalnego [Ability for biodegradation and bioadsorption of the bacteria from Ochrobactrum genus important in bioremediatio. Biotechnologia 2009, 4(87): 152-167.

36. Jafra S., Przysowa J., Czajkowski R., Michta A., Garbeva P., and van der Wolf J. M. Detection and characterization of N-acyl homoserine lactone-degrading bacteria from the potato rhizosphere. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 2006, 52: 1006-1015.

37. Jafra S., Jalink H., van der Schoor R., van der Wolf. J.M. Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum strains show diversity in production of and response to N-acyl Homoserine Lactones". Journal of Phytopathology 2006, 154: 729-739.

38. Lorenc- Kukuła K,  Jafra S, Oszmiański J, Kulma A, Szopa J. Ectopic expression of anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase in potato tuber causes increased resistance to Bacteria. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2005, 53: 272-281.

39. Jafra S., van der Wolf J. M. Fast screening method for detection of acyl-HSL-degrading soil isolates. J. Microbiological Methods 2004, 57: 415-420.

40. Śledź W., Jafra S., Waleron M., Łojkowska E. Genetic diversity of Erwinia carotovora strains isolated from infected plants growing in Poland. OEPP/EPPO Bulletin.  2000, 30 (3/4): 403-408.

41. Jafra S., Figura I., Hugouvieux-Cotte-Pattat N., Łojkowska N. Expression of Erwinia chrysanthemi pectinase gene pelL, pelI and pelZ during infection of potato tubers. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 1999, 12(10): 845-851.