Vladimir Jiranek

Biography

My work is largely linked to three questions: How do yeast and bacteria interact with their environment and each other in high stress environments such as seen in winemaking? How can this knowledge be exploited to produce superior strains and wine process outcomes? What does this knowledge tells us about the evolution and ecology of these microbes in their ‘natural’ environment. Our projects broadly fall under these headings: Yeast Functional Genomics Objectives: This project seeks to identify the genes that are responsible for the unique properties of individual wine yeast strains and to determine how these confer their effects. Background: It is widely recognised that strains of yeast can differ distinctly in terms of fermentation properties (e.g. speed, completeness, temperature optimum, etc) and production or modification of metabolites of sensory significance. In many cases the genetic basis for such differences is yet to be determined. Research approach: Using high-throughput screens of yeast mutant libraries, as well as comparative genome analysis, we are identifying genetic differences between strains that relate to specific phenotypes. Further, we seek to understand the adaptive mechanisms by which yeast are able to survive in grape must and successfully complete alcoholic fermentation. This information is being used to guide further strain development and build models of how yeasts function under extreme conditions. Benefit: The understanding behind the diversity exhibited by wine yeast will be exploited in future yeast optimisation. Such information also improves our understanding of the fundamentally important mechanisms by which a yeast copes with the ever-changing environments in which it finds itself.

Research Interest

Medicine,Medical Education,Research,etc