The UV-photoprotection potential of Sphagnum species
SphagnoUV
Our aim is to evaluate the UV protection potential of Sphagnum by using genetically modified bioluminescent microbial biosensors as the indicators of cell and DNA damage. We will screen the UV protection capacity of both the alkali-soluble Sphagnum cell-wall-bound compounds and the methanol-soluble compounds obtained from the living Sphagnum biomass.
If, as hypothesized, the Sphagnum compounds are found to possess interesting potential in the field of UV screening, the next step is to link this information to pure compounds and to conduct a more comprehensive screening of the UV-protection properties. This would be best achieved with a larger jointly funded project.
