Microbial Biodiversity Research

Major duties and responsibilities of the lead executive office:

  • Initiate policy and legal proposals on the conservation and sustainable utilization of the country’s microbial biodiversity and associate knowledge as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization and upon approval enforce and follow their implementation
  • Survey and explore the diversity and distribution of the country’s microbial genetic resources
  • Collect samples, identify microbial species and characterize the components thereof and monitor, from time to time, their conservation and sustainable use status
  • Undertake researches relevant to ensure the conservation and sustainable utilization of microbial biodiversity
  • Based on ecosystem approach, survey key microbial biodiversity areas in the country and conserve or facilitate the conservation of microbial diversity in-situ.
  • In order to build the capacity of the stakeholders in microbial biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization, develop and provide guidelines and manuals, give training and other technical supports and follow up their implementation
  • Establish a system whereby the information on the country’s microbial biodiversity resources shall be maintained and utilized
  • In collaboration with mass media, learning institutions and other stakeholders, carry out activities to raise awareness among the public on the conservation and sustainable use of microbial biodiversity
  • Establish and administer national microbial culture collection center
  • Work in cooperation with the concerned bodies with respect to the conservation and sustainable use of microbial biodiversity and community knowledge
  • Documentation of culture data and make them accessible to the microbiological research community.

A. Bacteria and Fungi Case Team

Duties and responsibilities of the case team

  • Sample collection from different ecosystem and substrates
  • Isolation and characterization of bacterial and fungal pure cultures
  • Identification of bacterial and fungal species or strains
  • Conservation of the bacterial and fungal species or strains
  • Traditional indigenous community knowledge study
  • Maintenance of preserved bacterial and fungal species or strains

Service, currently provided by the case team

  • Training on bacterial and fungal characterization, identification and preservation techniques
  • Training on mushroom spawn and fruiting body production

Laboratory facilities

Facilities for microbial isolation, characterization & identification

  • Laminar flow hood
  • Incubators
  • Microscopes
  • Autoclaves and dry ovens
  • Refrigerator
  • Distiller

Facilities for biochemical and functional analysis

  • Turbidometers
  • Spectrophotometers
  • Micro-station
  • Omnilog /Biolog system

B. Microalgae Biodiversity Case Team

Duties and responsibilities

  • Sample collection from different environments
  • Isolation and Identification of microalgae genera and species
  • Conserve and preservation of microalgae genetic resources

Service, currently provided by the case team

  • Making available identified and characterized species for distribution
  • Awareness arising

Facilities

  • Compound Microscope
  • Incubator with shaker
  • Aerator

C. Microbial Molecular Characterization and Gene Bank Case Team

Duties and responsibility

  • Molecular identification of culturable microorganisms
  • Molecular (macro and micro-molecules based) characterization of microbes
  • Metagenomic assisted study of diversity and distribution of microbial biodiversity
  • Maintaining ex-situ conserved microorganisms

Services currently provided by the case team

  • Providing copies of conserved microbial species when requested for research purpose
  • Collecting and conserving microbial species identified by research and higher learning institutions
  • Assisting undergraduates students who join the case team for their practical course
  • Awareness arising

Facilities

  • Different types of ultra-low freezers (up to -800c)
  • Illumina Miseq system for molecular based microbial identification and Metagenomic study
  • Biology systems for culturable microorganism identification and active cell functional analysis

Research

1.  Ongoing research activities

  • Isolation, screening and characterization of bacterial biocontrol agents against soil borne fungal pathogens of major pulse crops in Ethiopia
  • Screening, in-vitro evaluation and identification of extracellular polysaccharide producing bacteria
  • Isolation and Identification of Fungal Species for Development of Efficient Chitosan Product
  • Characterization of Organic acid producing microbes.
  • Isolations of acid producing microbes from plantation and natural forest soil sample.
  • Identification of active biomolecule producing microbial species associated with medicinal plants.
  • Identification of Actinomycets species from different environments assessed by active biomolecule production.
  • Identification of different enzyme (Type II Restriction enzyme; cellulose; amylase; protease; pectinase; kitanse) producing Microbial species.
  • Evaluation of the correlation between the microbial communities and plant communities in the bale mountain.
  • Microbial Community study between Eucalyptus plantation and natural forest
  • Identification of industrially important Microbial community from sample collected from alkaline water.
  • Evaluation of the toxic effects of Spirulina Isolated from Lake Chitu , Ethiopia
  • Spatial and Temporal Microalgae Diversity in Lake Tana, Zengena, Hayq, Hardibu, Maybar, Wonchi and Dendi

2.  Completed research activities

     Research publications

  1. Befekadu Teshome. (2020). Diversity of Exopolysaccharide Producing Bacteria and Applications of Exopolysaccharides. IJMR. 11(3): 132-140.
  2. Befekadu Teshome, Abatineh E. and Ayinalem E. (2019). The Role of Traditional Practice of Cereal-Legume Cropping Systems in the Improvement of Soil Fertility            by Enhancing Soil Microbes in Tigray, Ethiopia. JAFMR. 2(6): 221-226.   
  3. Befekadu Teshome, Ayinalem E., Wassie M. and Tefera (2019). Traditional Knowledge of Milk Production, Processing and Utilization in Borana Zone,            Ethiopia.  World Journal of Dairy & Food Sciences. 14(2): 210-22.
  4. Befekadu Teshome, Abatineh E and Ayinalem E. (2019). In vitro Screening and Identification of P-Solubilizing Rhizobacteria Associated with Sorghum bicolor    Agri Res & Tech: Open Access J. 20(2): 556122. 
  5. Tewodros Abebe, Teshome B., Abatineh E. and Yimama A. (2019). Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial Activity and Antioxidant Property of Essential Oil     Extracted from Artemisia absinthium (Ariti). Clin Biot and Mic. 4(1): 11-21
  6. Befekadu Teshome, Wassie M. and Abatineh E (2018). The Traditional Practice of Farmers’ Legume-Cereal Cropping System and the Role of Microbes for Soil     Fertility Improvement in North Shoa, Ethiopia. Agri Res & Tech: Open Access J. 13(4): 555891. 
  7. Befekadu Teshome and Gebre-selassie S. (2017). Bacterial Etiologies of Community-       Acquired Pneumonia in Children and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility    Clinical Biotechnology and Microbiology. 1(4): 172-185.
  8. Befekadu Teshome and Gebre-selassie S. (2017). The value of sputum Gram stains in the diagnosis of childhood community acquired pneumonia. J. Curr. Trend.    Pharmacobiol. Med. Sci. 2(1): 6-15.
  9. Befekadu Teshome, Wassie M and Abatineh E. (2017). Isolation, Screening and Biochemical Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Rhizobacteria          Associated with Coffea arabica J Fertil Pestic. 8(3): 188.   
  10. Befekadu Teshome, Tefera G, Belete B and Mekuria A. (2016). Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus from raw camel and             goat milk from Somali region of Ethiopia. AJMR. 10(28): 1066-1071.
  11. Befekadu Teshome and Tefera G. (2016). Isolation and Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Cow Milk using Biolog Microbial Identification System. J. of         Mod.Chem. and Apll. Sci. 3(3): 412-420.
  12. Befekadu Teshome. (2016). Microbes as biological weapons-a review. J. of Mod. Chem. And Apll. Sci. 3(1): 323-325.
  13. Birhanu Gizaw, Tsegay Z., Tefera G., Teshome B., Tilahun. B. (2016). Fermenter yeast identified from Ensete ventricosum product: kocho and bulla collected from     Angacha district. Int. Curr. Trend. Pharmacobiol. Med. Sci. 1(4): 18-23.
  14. Befekadu Teshome. (2012). Status of Microbial Culture Collection at Institute of Biodiversity Conservation, Ethiopia. BIODIVERSITY NEWSLETTER 1(2)
  15. Zerihun et al (2016). Growing of oyster mushrooms using agricultural residues at Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Acad. J. Microbiol. Res. 3(1): 014-021.
  16. Zerihun Tsegaye and Genene Tefera (2017). Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotusostreatus Kumm, 1871) using AgroIndustrial Residues. J Appl Microb Res. 1(1):1-6
  17. Birhanu et al (2015). Cultivation and yield performance of Pholiota species on different agro industrial wastes J.Food. Res. 3(3): 032-042
  18. Birhanu et al (2018) Traditional knowledge on mushroom consumption habits of Amhara region in four selected districts; – Mecha, Fogera, Bahir Dar zuria and Academia Journal of Food Research 6(2): 021-030, 2018
  19. Zerihun et al (2018) Isolation, identification and characterization of ethanol tolerant yeast species from fruits for production of bioethanol. IJMCAS: 3(3), 437-443.
  20. Birhanu Gizaw, Zerihun Tsegay, Genene Tefera. Isolation, identification and characterization of yeast species from coffee waste collected from Sidama and       Gedio zone.J. yeast and fungal research. ISSN 2141-2413.7(6).48-53.
  21. Zerihun T, Birhanu G (2016). Community indigenous Knowledge on Enset processing and utilization practice of Gedio zone. J.biodiversity and ecological science. Vol.   5, Issue 3 ISSN: 2008-9287
  22. Zerihun Tsegaye et al (2016). Isolation, identification and characterization of yeast species from kocho and bulla collected from Gedeo Zone, South Nation Nationality People Regional States. J. Curr. Trend. Pharmacobiol. Med. Sci. 1(2), 37-44.
  23. Zerihun Tsegaye, Genene Tefera, Birhanu Gizaw and Endashaw Abatneh (2018). Characterization of Yeast Species Isolated from Local Fruits used for Bakery Industrial Application. J Appl Microb Res.1(1): 1-6
  24. Birhanu Gizaw and Zerihun Tsegay (2016). Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Plastic degrader fungal Species from Municipal Solid waste.     Modern chemistry and applied science.3 (4).457-464
  25. Genene Tefera, Birhanu Gizaw, Zerihun Tsegay, Endegena Aynalem “Fungi Isolated from Municipal Solid Waste Soil and Rotten Fruit Tested for their Ability to Decolorize Anthraquinonic (Basic Blue) Dye”. Clinical Biotechnology and            Microbiology 1.2 (2017)
  26. Birhanu Gizaw et al (2018). Rhizosphere Fungi Identified from Poaceae and Cyperaceae Family Grass in North and East Showa: Ethiopia. Advance Biotech & Micro 2018, 11(4) (1-7).
  27. Birhanu G, Zerihun Tsegaye, Tefera G, Aynalem E, Wassie M, et al. (2017) Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi Isolated and Characterized from Teff Rhizosphere Soil Collected from North Showa and Gojam, Ethiopia. J Fertil Pestic 8: 180
  28. Birhanu Gizaw, Zerihun Tsegay, Genene Tefera, Endegena Aynalem, Misganaw        Wassie (2016). Farmers Traditional Knowledge on Teff (Eragrostis tef) Farming         Practice and Crop Rotation in PGP Microbes Enhancement for Soil Fertility in      West and East Gojam. J. Computational Biology and Bioinformatics4(6): 45-54
  29. Birhanu Gizaw, Zerihun Tsegay, Genene Tefera, Endegena Aynalem, and Endeshaw Abatneh (2018). Bio-priming effect of three phosphate solubilizing fungi on seed germination and seedling development of Faba Bean (Vicia faba). J Pesticides    1:1-8.
  30. Zerihun Tsegay, Fassil Assefa, GeneneTefera G, Alemu Tssfay Alemu, Birhanu Gizaw (2018) Characterization and Identification of Tef (Eragrostis tef) Seed Endophytic Bacterial Species and Evaluate their Effect on Plant Growth         J Plant Pathol Microbiol 9: 438.doi: 10.4172/2157-7471.1000438.
  31. Zerihun Tsegaye, Birhanu Gizaw, Genene Tefera, Adey Feleke, Solomon Chaniyalew, Tesfaye Alemu and Fasil Assefa (2019). Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) Bacteria Colonizing the Rhizosphere of Tef Crop During the Seedling Stage. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 14(2), 1-12
  32. Zerihun Tsegaye, Mohammed Yimam, Dagne Bekele, Solomon Chaniyalew, Fasil Assefa (2019). Characterization and Identification of Native Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Colonizing Tef (Eragrostis Tef) Rhizosphere During the Flowering Stage for A Production of Bio Inoculants. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 22(2). BJSTR. MS.ID.003710.
  33. Zerihun Tsegaye, Adey Feleke, Tesfaye Alemu and Fassil Assefa (2019). Screening and biochemical identification of tef (eragrostis tef zucc.) trotter) endophytic bacterial species with plantgrowth-promoting, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance properties. JSc EUSL.10(2): 21-38
  34. Zerihun Tsegaye, Dagne Bekele, Debissa Lemessa, Solomon Chaniyalew, Adey Feleke, Tesfaye Alemu and Fassil Assefa (2020). Effect of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) and Chemical Fertilizer Co-inoculation on Teff Growth, Yield, and Grain Nutrient Uptake Under Greenhouse Condition. Research & Reviews: Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 10(1):1-10.
  35. Roman Nega et al .(2018), Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Diversity of Microalgae in Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia. Int J Nutr Sci & Food Tech. 4:3, 16-23
  36. Roman Nega, Woinshet Lule, Damtew Etisa (2015). Assessment of Community Indigenous Knowledge on Traditional Use of Arthrospira/ Spirulina Species. 5(4): 1-14
  37. Woinshet LuleRoman Nega Damtew Etisa (2015). Microalgal Diversity of Middle Rift Valley Lakes (Arenguade and Killole) Oromia Region, Ethiopia. 5(4):1-7
  38. Damtew Etisa*, RomanNega andWoinshet Lule (2018). Seasonal Variation of Microalgae Diversity in Lake Abaya, Ethiopia. International Journal of Oceanography & Aquaculture.2(5):1-8.
  39. Roman Nega, Damtew Etisa and Woinshet Lule (2019). Temporal and Spatial Microalgae Diversity in Lake Bishoftu-Guda/ Babugaya, Ethiopia. Journal of Ecology & Natural Resources.4(1):1-14.
  40. Roman Nega, Woinshet Lule, Damtew Etisa, Genene Tefera, and Birhanu Gizaw (2018). Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Diversity of Microalgae in Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia. International Journal of Nutritional Science and Food Technology. 4(3):16-23.