Staff Profile
Dr Maria Del Carmen Montero-Calasanz
Lecturer in Biology of Actinomycetes
- Email: maria.montero-calasanz@ncl.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 4943
- Personal Website: http://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=W3vtLMAAAAAJ&hl=en
- Address: Biology
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Devonshire Building
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
Background
Area of Expertise
Bioprospecting of plant-growth promoting bacteria. Microbial systematics. Phylogenomics. Comparative and functional (meta)genomics. Formulation, application and monitoring bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture. Ecological and functional role of actinobacteria of arid- and degraded ecosystems in relation to soil microbial community, soil formation and erosion, and plant-microbes interactions. Management of soil-plant-microbe system for sustainable agriculture and restoration of soil fertility.
Role
Lecturer in Biology of Actinomycetes
Qualifications
- HEA fellowship (UK), 2017
- PhD Biology, University of Seville (Spain), 2011
- MSc Molecular Genetics and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Seville (Spain), 2008
- PGCE, Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), 2005
- BSc Biology, University of Seville (Spain), 2003
Previous Positions
- Postdoctoral researcher, Leibniz Institute- DSMZ, Braunschweig (Germany) , 2011-2015
- Research Associate, BIOAVAN SL, Seville (Spain), 2010
Awards
- Postdoctoral Research Contract awarded by Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of Leibniz Institute-DSMZ. 2013-2015
- Recognition in Good Labour Practice by IFAPA. 2012
- Postdoctoral Research Contract awarded by IFAPA. 2011-2012
- Predoctoral Research Grant awarded (FPI) by INIA. 2006-2010
Peer-review
14 International SCI Journals.
Research
Research line
The Montero-Calasanz´s Lab is a research group dedicated to provide agri-environmental biotech solutions based on actinomycetes to challenges associated to the use or misuse of bio-resources in arid in semi-arid ecosystems in a sustainable framework. For that, our research projects wisely combine fundamental aspects of microbial diversity, systematic, ecology, and functional genomics with the development of biotechnological applications for agricultural and environmental purposes establishing interdisciplinary links with bioinformatics, biological modelling, and synthetic biology. We efficiently match a range of complementary wet- and dry-lab techniques encompassing microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, plant physiology, functional and comparative genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and statistics having a particular interest in applying cutting-edge technologies, such as high-throughput sequencing and mass spectrometry, for sustainability and efficiency in the use of natural resources.
Our projects
- Biology and biotechnological application of the order Geodermatophilales (internal funding) (PI)
- Development of a detection system for bioinoculants based on "in situ" metatranscriptomics (funded by IAFRI-Fera Science Ltd.) (PI).
- Interactive visualisation of temporal multi-omic data (funded by EPSRC) (Co-PI).
- Characterisation of myrosinase producing microorganisms and their potential exploitation in biofumigation systems (funded by BBSRC) (Co-PI).
- New approaches to the restoration of semi-arid soils. CO2 fluxes and molecular markers (funded by Spanish Government) (Team member).
- The Genomic Encyclopaedia of Bacteria and Archaea (GEBA) project (funded by DOE JGI-DSMZ) (team member).
Current members
- Adnan Yaramis (PhD Candidate). Title: Development of a detection system for bioinoculants based on "in situ" metatranscriptomics. Primary supervision.
- David hodhson (PhD candidate). Title: Characterisation of myrosinase producing microorganisms and their potential exploitation in biofumigation systems. Co-supervision.
- Hugh Garner (PhD candidate). Title: Interactive visualisation of temporal multi-omic data. Co-supervision.
Our lab is always happy to host UG and PG research projects and guest internships. Informal enquiries about potential PhD projects related to our research interests are welcomed. Please contact Maria del Carmen Montero-Calasanz to discuss opportunities to join the group.
Teaching
Undergraduate Teaching
Stage 1
- Biology in Action (BIO1010)
- Microbiology 1 (BIO1004)
Stage 2
- Microbiology 2 (BIO2017; Module leader)
- Bioprospecting (BIO2033)
- Employability Skills for Biologists (BIO2021)
Stage 3
- Genomics (BIO 3019; Module leader)
- Molecular Evolution and Systematics (BIO3041)
- Research Projects (BIO3196)
Postgraduate teaching
- Research Thesis (BIO8096)
- Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics (BIO8071)
Publications
- Hezbri K, Nouioui I, Rohde M, Sproer C, Schumann P, Gtari M, Klenk H-P, Montero-Calasanz MDC, Ghodhbane-Gtari F. Blastococcus xanthinilyticus sp. Nov., isolated from monument. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2018, 68(4), 1177-1183.
- Navarro-Torre S, Carro L, Rodriguez-Llorente ID, Pajuelo E, Caviedes MA, Igual JM, Redondo-Gomez S, Camacho M, Klenk H-P, Montero-Calasanz MC. Kushneria phyllosphaerae sp. nov. and Kushneria endophytica sp. nov., plant growth promoting endophytes isolated from the halophyte plant Arthrocnemum macrostachyum. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2018, 68(9), 2800-2806.
- Ay H, Nouioui I, Del Carmen Montero-Calasanz M, Klenk H-P, Isik K, Cetin D, Sahin N. Streptomyces sediminis sp. nov. isolated from crater lake sediment. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2018, 111(4), 493-500.
- Carro L, Nouioui I, Sangal V, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Trujillo ME, Montero-Calasanz MDC, Sahin N, Smith DL, Kim KE, Peluso P, Deshpande S, Woyke T, Shapiro N, Kyrpides NC, Klenk H-P, Goker M, Goodfellow M. Genome-based classification of micromonosporae with a focus on their biotechnological and ecological potential. Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 525.
- Castro JF, Nouioui I, Sangal V, Trujillo ME, Montero-Calasanz MDC, Rahmani T, Bull AT, Asenjo JA, Andrews BA, Goodfellow M. Geodermatophilus chilensis sp. nov., from soil of the Yungay core-region of the Atacama Desert, Chile. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 2018, 41(5), 427-436.
- Ay H, Nouioui I, Del Carmen Montero-Calasanz M, Carro L, Klenk H-P, Goodfellow M, Igual JM, Cetin D, Sahin N, Isik K. Actinomadura alkaliterrae sp. nov., isolated from an alkaline soil. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2017, 110(6), 787-794.
- Hezbri K, Nouioui I, Rohde M, Schumann P, Gtari M, Klenk H-P, Montero-Calasanz MC, Ghodhbane-Gtari F. Blastococcus colisei sp. nov, isolated from an archaeological amphitheatre. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, International Journal of General and Molecular Microbiology 2017, 110(3), 339-346.
- Nouioui I, Del Carmen Montero-Calasanz M, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Rohde M, Tisa LS, Klenk H-P, Gtari M. Frankia discariae sp. nov.: an infective and effective microsymbiont isolated from the root nodule of Discaria trinervis. Archives of Microbiology 2017, 199(5), 641-647.
- Nouioui I, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, del Carmen Montero-Calasanz M, Rohde M, Tisa LS, Gtari M, Klenk H-P. Frankia inefficax sp. nov., an actinobacterial endophyte inducing ineffective, non nitrogen-fixing, root nodules on its actinorhizal host plants. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2017, 110(3), 313-320.
- Camacho M, Redondo-Gomez S, Rodriguez-Llorente I, Rohde M, Sproer C, Schumann P, Klenk H-P, Montero-Calasanz MC. Kocuria salina sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of the halophyte Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and emended description of Kocuria turfanensis. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2017, 67(12), 5006-5012.
- Nouioui I, Carro L, Teramoto K, Igual JM, Jando M, Montero-Calasanz MC, Sutcliffe I, Sangal V, Goodfellow M, Klenk H-P. Mycobacterium eburneum sp. nov., a non-chromogenic, fast-growing strain isolated from sputum. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2017, 67(9), 3174-3181.
- Mohammadipanah F, Montero-Calasanz MC, Schumann P, Sproer C, Rohde M, Klenk H-P. Promicromonospora kermanensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from soil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2017, 67(2), 262-267.
- Idris H, Labeda DP, Nouioui I, Castro JF, Del Carmen Montero-Calasanz M, Bull AT, Asenjo JA, Goodfellow M. Streptomyces aridus sp. nov., isolated from a high altitude Atacama Desert soil and emended description of Streptomyces noboritoensis Isono et al. 1957. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2017, 110(5), 705-717.
- Goodfellow M, Busarakam K, Idris H, Labeda DP, Nouioui I, Brown R, Kim B-Y, Montero-Calasanz MDC, Andrews BA, Bull AT. Streptomyces asenjonii sp. nov., isolated from hyper-arid Atacama Desert soils and emended description of Streptomyces viridosporus Pridham et al. 1958. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2017, 110(9), 1133-1148.
- Montero-Calasanz M del C, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Zhang D-F, Yaramis A, Rohde M, Woyke T, Kyrpides NC, Schumann P, Li W-J, Goker M. Genome-scale data call for a taxonomic rearrangement of Geodermatophilaceae. Frontiers in Microbiology 2017, 8, 2501.
- Nouioui I, Goker M, Carro L, Montero-Calasanz MD, Rohde M, Woyke T, Kyrpides NC, Klenk HP. High quality draft genome of Nakamurella lactea type strain, a rock actinobacterium, and emended description of Nakamurella lactea. Standards in Genomic Sciences 2017, 12, 4.
- Hezbri K, Louati M, Nouioui I, Gtari M, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Klenk HP, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Montero-Calasanz MdC. Blastococcus capsensis sp. nov., isolated from an archaeological Roman pool and emended description of the genus Blastococcus, B. aggregatus, B. saxobsidens, B. jejuensis and B. endophyticus. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2016, 66(11), 4864-4872.
- Camacho M, Redondo-Gomez S, Rodriguez-Llorente I, Rohde M, Sproer C, Schumann P, Klenk HP, Montero-Calasanz MD. Labrenzia salina sp nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of the halophyte Arthrocnemum macrostachyum. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2016, 66, 5173-5180.
- Camacho M, Montero-Calasanz MC, Redondo-Gómez S, Rodríguez-Llorente I, Schumann P, Klenk HP. Microbulbifer rhizosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of the halophyte Arthrocnemum macrostachyum. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2016, 66, 1844-1850.
- Kappler U, Davenport K, Beatson S, Lapidus A, Pan CL, Han C, Montero-Calasanz MD, Land M, Hauser L, Rohde M, Goker M, Ivanova N, Woyke T, Klenk HP, Kyrpides NC. Complete genome sequence of the haloalkaliphilic, obligately chemolithoautotrophic thiosulfate and sulfide-oxidizing γ-proteobacterium Thioalkalimicrobium cyclicum type strain ALM 1 (DSM 14477T). Standards in Genomic Sciences 2016, 11, 38.
- Hezbri K, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Montero-Calasanz MD, Nouioui I, Rohde M, Spoer C, Schumann P, Klenk HP, Gtari M. Geodermatophilus pulveris sp nov., a gamma-radiation-resistant actinobacterium isolated from the Sahara desert. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2016, 66, 3828-3834.
- Nouioui I, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Montero-Calasanz MD, Goker M, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Schumann P, Rohde M, Goodfellow M, Fernandez MP, Norrnand P, Tisa LS, Klenk HP, Gtari M. Proposal of a type strain for Frankia alni (Woronin 1866) Von Tubeuf 1895, emended description of Frankia alni, and recognition of Frankia casuarinae sp nov and Frankia elaeagni sp nov. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2016, 66(12), 5201-5210.
- Chaouch FC, Bouras N, Mokrane S, Zitouni A, Schumann P, Spröer C, Sabaou N, Klenk H-P. Streptosporangium saharense sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from Saharan soil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2016, 1-29.
- Hezbri K, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Montero-Calasanz M, Sghaier H, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Klenk H-P, Gtari M. Geodermatophilus aquaeductus sp. nov., isolated from the ruins of Hadrian's aqueduct. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2015, 108(1), 41-50.
- Hezbri K, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Montero-Calasanz MC, Sghaier H, Rohde M, Schumann P, Klenk H-P, Gtari M. Geodermatophilus sabuli sp. nov., a gamma-radiation-resistant actinobacterium isolated from desert limestone. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2015, 65, 3365-3372.
- Hezbri K, Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Montero-Calasanz MC, Sghaier H, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Klenk H-P, Gtari M. Description of Geodermatophilus bullaregiensis sp. nov. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2015, 108(2), 415-425.
- Montero-Calasanz MDC, Hezbri K, Göker M, Sghaier H, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Klenk HP. Description of gamma radiation-resistant Geodermatophilus dictyosporus sp. nov. to accomodate the not validly named Geodermatophilus obscurus subsp. dictyosporus (Luedemann, 1968). Extremophiles 2015, 19(1), 77-85.
- Mohammadipanah F, Hamedi J, Spröer C, Schumann P, Montero-Calasanz MC, Klenk H-P. Saccharothrix ecbatanensis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from soil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2015, 65, 4544-4549.
- Ben-Hamda C, Benkahla A, Ben-Miled S, Ouled-Haddar H, Montero-Calasanz MC, Gtari M, Cherif A, Hofner B, Ghedira K, Sghaier H. The RadioP1: an integrative web resource for radioresistant prokaryotes. In: Mitsuru Nenoi (INTECH), ed. Evolution of Ionizing Radiation Research. InTech, 2015.
- Ben-Hamda C, Benkahla A, Ben-Miled S, Ouled-Haddar H, Montero-Calasanz MC, Gtari M, Cherif A, Hofner B, Ghedira K, Sghaier H. The RadioP1: an integrative web resource for radioresistant prokaryotes. 2015. Intech.
- Montero-Calasanz MDC, Goker M, Rohde M, Sproer C, Schumann P, Busse HJ, Schmid M, Klenk HP, Tindall BJ, Camacho M. Chryseobacterium oleae sp. nov., an efficient plant growth promoting bacterium in the rooting induction of olive tree (Olea europaea L.) cuttings and emended descriptions of the genus Chryseobacterium, C. daecheongense, C. gambrini, C. gleum, C. joostei, C. jejuense, C. luteum, C. shigense, C. taiwanense, C. ureilticum and C. vrystaatense. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 2014, 37(5), 342-350.
- Bertazzo M, Montero-Calasanz M del C, Martinez-Garcia M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Kroppenstedt RM, Stackebrandt E, Klenk H-P, Fiedler HP. Geodermatophilus brasiliensis sp. nov., isolated from Brazilian soil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2014, 64(8), 2841-2848.
- Montero-Calasanz MDC, Hofner B, Goker M, Rohde M, Sproer C, Hezbri K, Gtari M, Schumann P, Klenk HP. Geodermatophilus poikilotrophi sp. nov.: A Multitolerant Actinomycete Isolated from Dolomitic Marble. BioMed Research International 2014, 914767.
- Ghodhbane-Gtari F, Nouioui I, Salem K, Ktari A, del Carmen Montero-Calasanz M, Tisa LS, Klenk HP, Gtari M. Nocardia casuarinae sp. nov., an actinobacterial endophyte isolated from root nodules of Casuarina glauca. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2014, 105(6), 1099-1106.
- Mohammadipanah F, Hamedi F, Spröer C, Montero-Calasanz MDC, Schumann P, Klenk HP. Promicromonospora iranensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from rhizopheric soil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2014, 64(9), 3314-3319.
- Mohammadipanah F, Hamedi J, Spröer C, Rohde M, Montero-Calasanz MaC, Klenk HP. Streptomyces zagrosensis sp. nov., isolated from soil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2014, 64(10), 3434-3410.
- Mohammadipanah F, Hamedi J, Sproer C, Rohde M, Montero-Calasanz MDC, Klenk HP. Streptomyces zagrosensis sp. nov., isolated from soil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2014, 64(10), 3434-3440.
- Montero-Calasanz MD, Goker M, Rohde M, Sproer C, Schumann P, Mayilraj S, Goodfellow M, Klenk HP. Description of Geodermatophilus amargosae sp nov., to Accommodate the Not Validly Named Geodermatophilus obscurus subsp. amargosae (Luedemann, 1968). Current Microbiology 2014, 68(3), 365-371.
- Montero-Calasanz MC, Santamaría C, Daza A, Camacho M. Effects of inoculation of auxin producing bacteria on root development in model plant and semihardwood olive cuttings. In: Pacovsky, RD, ed. Auxin: Production, Biosynthesis and Role in Plant Development. NOVA Publishers, 2014.
- Montero-Calasanz MD, Goker M, Rohde M, Sproer C, Schumann P, Mayilraj S, Goodfellow M, Klenk HP. Erratum to: Description of Geodermatophilus amargosae sp. nov., to Accommodate the Not Validly Named Geodermatophilus obscurus subsp. amargosae (Luedemann, 1968) (vol 68, pg 365, 2014). Current Microbiology 2014, 69(1), 108-108.
- Montero-Calasanz MaC, Göker M, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Busse HJ, Schmid M, Tindall BJ, Klenk HP, Camacho M. Chryseobacterium hispalense sp. nov., a plant-growth promoting bacterium from a rainwater pond in an olive plant nursery and emended descriptions of Chryseobacterium defluvii, Chryseobacterium indologenes, Chryseobacterium wanjuense and Chryseobacterium gregarium. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2013, 63, 4386-4395.
- Montero-Calasanz MaC, Göker M, Pötter G, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Gorbushina AA, Klenk HP. Geodermatophilus africanus sp. nov., an halotolerant actinomycete isolated from Saharan desert sand. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2013, 104(2), 207-216.
- Montero-Calasanz MaC, Göker M, Pötter G, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Gorbushina AA, Klenk HP. Geodermatophilus normandii sp. nov., isolated from Saharan desert sand. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2013, 63, 3437-3443.
- Montero-Calasanz MaC, Göker M, Rohde M, Schumann P, Pötter G, Spröer C, Gorbushina AA, Klenk HP. Geodermatophilus siccatus sp. nov. isolated from arid sand of the Saharan desert in Chad. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2013, 103(3), 449-456.
- Montero-Calasanz MaC, Göker M, Pötter G, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Klenk HP, Gorbushina AA. Geodermatophilus telluris sp. nov., an actionmycete isolated from Saharan desert sand. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2013, 63, 2254-2259.
- Montero-Calasanz MC, Göker M, Broughton WJ, Cattaneo A, Favet J, Pötter G, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Klenk HP, Gorbushina AA. Geodermatophilus tzadiensis sp. nov., a UV radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from sand of the Saharan desert. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 2013, 36(3), 177-182.
- Montero-Calasanz MC, Santamaría C, Albareda M, Daza A, Duan J, Glick BR, Camacho M. Rooting induction of semi-hardwood olive cuttings by several auxin-producing bacteria. Span J Agric Res 2013, 195(3), 153-159.
- Montero-Calasanz MaC, Goker M, Potter G, Rohde M, Sproer C, Schumann P, Gorbushina AA, Klenk HP. Geodermatophilus saharensis sp. nov., isolated from sand of the Saharan desert in Chad. Archives of Microbiology 2012, 194(3), 153-159.
- Montero-Calasanz MaC, Göker M, Rohde M, Schumann P, Pötter G, Spröer C, Gorbushina AA, Klenk HP. Geodermatophilus siccatus sp. nov. isolated from arid sand of the Saharan desert in Chad. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2012, 103, 449-456.
- Arroyo FT, Castejón MM, García-Galavís PA, Santamaría C, Camacho M, Montero-Calasanz MC, Daza A. Keys to improve the japanese plum organic farming in Mediterranean climate conditions. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 2012, 933, 469-475.
- Montero-Calasanz MaC, Göker M, Pötter G, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Gorbushina AA, Klenk HP. Montero-Calasanz MaC, Göker M, Pötter G, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Gorbushina AA, Klenk HP (2012) Geodermatophilus arenarius sp. nov., a xerophilic actinomycete isolated from Saharan desert sand in Chad. Extremophiles 2012, 16, 903-909.
- Montero-Calasanz MC. Rooting induction of olive tree cuttings by Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PPGR). PhD Thesis (in Spanish). University of Seville, 2011.
- Daza A, Santamaría C, García-Galavís PA, Montero-Calasanz MC, Camacho M. Use of microorganisms on an organic agriculture framework: biofertilization and biocontrol. In: Spanish Society of Nitrogen Fixation. University of Seville. Ministry of Science and Innovation, ed. Agro-environmental Statements and Applications. 2011, pp.375-386.
- Montero-Calasanz MC, Santamaría C, Daza A, García-Galavís PA, Albareda M, Camacho C. Organic production of nursery plants: olive tree and stone fruits. In: Red Andaluza de Semillas Cultivando Biodiversidad, ed. A manual for the use and conservation of local cultivars. 2008, pp.101-110.
- Montero-Calasanz MC, Santamaría C, Daza A, Albareda M, Camacho M. Use of microorganisms in the nursery propagation of organic olive tree (Article in Spanish). BioAndalucia 2008, 11, 7-9.