GENE EXPRESSION LABORATORY

Tel.: +359 2 979 31 79

E-mail: pepipetrova@yahoo.com

Genomics, Transcriptomics and Proteomics studies using prokaryotic and eukaryotic model systems: bacteria (E. coli, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bacillus, Klebsiella) and yeasts (Ogataea polymorpha, Pichia pastoris). Studies on the gene activity regulation concerning novel polysaccharide-modifying enzymes (amylases, amylopullulanases, fructan-β-fructosidases, and β-galactosidases) related to prebiotics utilization or synthesis by Lactic acid bacteria. Development of novel synbiotic formulas with applications in food industry or veterinary medicine.

• Isolation, identification and characterization of Lactobacillus strains, isolated from artisanal Bulgarian milk products, Contract with Bright Dairy Foods & Co. Ltd, China (2015-2018).
• Modern molecular approaches for functional and technological characterization of probiotic features of amylolytic lactic acid bacteria of Bulgarian fermentative products (2015-2017) funded by NSF, Republic of Bulgaria.

• Amylolytic lactic acid bacteria with application in food industry (2012-2015) funded by NSF, Republic of Bulgaria.
• Novel Polyaccharide Modifying Enzymes to Optimize the Potential of Hydrocolloids for Food and Medical Applications, (2009-2013), Project №: 222628 funded by the EU within the 7th FP and (2010 – 2015), funded by NSF, Republic of Bulgaria.
• Novel and recombinant cyclodextrin-glucanotransferases with industrial application (2010–2012), funded by NSF, Republic of Bulgaria.
• Lactic acid production by starch-hydrolyzing bacteria (2010 - 2012); European Social Fund, Grant BG 051PO001-3.3.04/32.

• Petrova P., Velikova P., Popova L., Petrov K. Direct conversion of chicory flour into L(+)-lactic acid by the highly effective inulinase producer Lactobacillus paracasei DSM 23505. Bioresource Technology 186, 329-333, Elsevier, 2015, ISSN: 0960-8524, DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.03.077

• Velikova P., Stoyanov A., Blagoeva G., Popova L., Petrov K., Gotcheva V., Angelov A., Petrova P. Starch utilization routes in lactic acid bacteria: new insight by gene expression assay. Starch-Starke 68, 953-960, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co, 2016, ISSN: 1521-379X, DOI: 10.1002/star.201600023

• Velikova P., Petrov K., Petrova P. The cell wall anchored β-fructosidases of Lactobacillus paracasei: overproduction, purification, and gene expression control. Process Biochemistry, 52, 53-62, Elsevier, 2017, ISSN: 1359-5113, DOI:10.1016/j.procbio.2016.10.010.

• Petrov K., Popova L., Petrova P. High lactic acid and fructose production via Mn2+ mediated conversion of inulin by Lactobacillus paracasei. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 101, 4433-4445, Springer Verlag, 2017, ISSN: 0175-7598, DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8238-0.