Phone
608-263-9402Office Location
1146 Animal Sciences
1675 Observatory Dr
Madison, WI 53706
Dr. Hilario Mantovani received an M.S. degree in Agricultural Microbiology from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) and earned a Ph.D. degree in Microbiology from Cornell University under the mentorship of the late James B. Russell. Dr. Mantovani developed several academic and scientific activities in Brazil as a faculty member of the Department of Microbiology at UFV and was a visiting scholar at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center. He mentored more than 40 graduate and 20 undergraduate students and served for five years as Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology (UFV). Dr. Mantovani joined the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2022.
Dr. Mantovani’s research program is focused on understanding the functions and ecological interactions between anaerobic microbes that colonize the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants. Currently, special attention is given to screening and discovery of new bioactive molecules (notably AMPs) against bacterial pathogens and archaea (methanogens) and the development of microbiome-derived technologies (e.g., bioactive molecules, probiotics, inoculants) for animal health. His research group examines fundamental and applied questions related to the ecology, physiology, and genetics of rumen microbes aiming to unveil their roles in rumen function and host phenotypes. Dr. Mantovani’s research also seeks to understand the mechanisms and drivers of antimicrobial resistance and explore livestock microbiomes for biotechnological purposes, including alternatives to antibiotics. The research goal is to generate knowledge and develop approaches to improve animal health and productivity, promote food safety and enhance the environmental sustainability of livestock production.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Articles
Sabino YNV, Cotter PD, Mantovani HC. Anti-virulence compounds against Staphylococcus aureus associated with bovine mastitis: A new therapeutic option? Microbiol Res. 2023, 271:127345. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127345.
Sabino YNV, Araújo Domingues KC, Mathur H, Gómez-Mascaraque LG, Drouin G, Martínez-Abad A, Tótola MR, Abreu LM, Cotter PD, Mantovani HC. Exopolysaccharides produced by Bacillus spp. inhibit biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with bovine mastitis. Int J Biol Macromol. 2023, 253(Pt 2):126689. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126689.
Almeida ELM, Ventorim RZ, Ferreira MAM, Costa MD, Mantovani HC, Silveira WB. New Papiliotrema laurentii UFV-1 strains with improved acetic acid tolerance selected by adaptive laboratory evolution. Fungal Genet Biol. 2023, 164:103765. doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103765.
do V Barroso M, da Silva JS, Moreira SM, Sabino YNV, Rocha GC, Moreira MAS, Bazzolli DMS, Mantovani HC. Selection of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteria in Weaned Pigs and Its Association With In-feed Subtherapeutic Combination of Colistin and Tylosin. Curr Microbiol. 2022, 79(11):349. doi: 10.1007/s00284-022-03053-7.
de Oliveira IMF, Godoy-Santos F, Oyama LB, Moreira SM, Dias RG, Huws SA, Creevey CJ, Mantovani HC. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of antimicrobial producing Streptococcus lutetiensis from the rumen. Microorganisms. 2022, 10(3):551. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10030551.
Oyama LB, Olleik H, Teixeira ACN, Guidini MM, Pickup JA, Hui BYP, Vidal N, Cookson AR, Vallin H, Wilkinson T, Bazzolli DMS, Richards J, Wootton M, Mikut R, Hilpert K, Maresca M, Perrier J, Hess M, Mantovani HC, Fernandez-Fuentes N, Creevey CJ, Huws SA. In silico identification of two peptides with antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2022, 8(1):58. doi: 10.1038/s41522-022-00320-0.
Ribeiro AM, Paiva AD, Cruz AM, Vanetti MC, Ferreira SO, Mantovani HC. Bovicin HC5 and nisin reduce cell viability and the thermal resistance of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris endospores in fruit juices. J Sci Food Agric. 2022, 102(10):3994-4002. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.11747.
Mulkern AJ, Oyama LB, Cookson AR, Creevey CJ, Wilkinson TJ, Olleik H, Maresca M, da Silva GC, Fontes PP, Bazzolli DMS, Mantovani HC, Damaris BF, Mur LAJ, Huws SA. Microbiome-derived antimicrobial peptides offer therapeutic solutions for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2022, 8(1):70. doi: 10.1038/s41522-022-00332-w.
Mishima MDV, Da Silva BP, Gomes MJC, Toledo RCL, Mantovani HC, José VPBS, Costa NMB, Tako E, Martino HSD. Effect of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Associated with High-Fat Diet on the Intestinal Health of Wistar Rats. Nutrients. 2022, 14(22):4924. doi: 10.3390/nu14224924.
Gomes MJC, da Silva JS, Alves NEG, de Assis A, de Mejía EG, Mantovani HC, Martino HSD. Cooked common bean flour, but not its protein hydrolysate, has the potential to improve gut microbiota composition and function in BALB/c mice fed a high-fat diet added with 6-propyl-2-thiouracil. J Nutr Biochem. 2022, 106:109022. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109022.
Theodoro JMV, Grancieri M, Gomes MJC, Toledo RCL, de São José VPB, Mantovani HC, Carvalho CWP, da Silva BP, Martino HSD. Germinated Millet (Pennisetum glauc (L.) R. Br.) Flour Improved the Gut Function and Its Microbiota Composition in Rats Fed with High-Fat High-Fructose Diet. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022, 19(22):15217. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215217.
Rotta IS, Rodrigues WF, Dos Santos CTB, Mantovani HC, De Oliveira AG, Machado ABF, Paiva AD. Clinical isolates of E. faecalis and E. faecium harboring virulence genes show the concomitant presence of CRISPR loci and antibiotic resistance determinants. Microb Pathog. 2022, 171:105715. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105715.
Sousa BL, Azevedo, AC, Oliveira, IMF, Bento CBP, Santana MF, Bazzolli DMS, Mantovani HC. 2021. PCR screening reveals abundance of bovicin-like bacteriocins among ruminal Streptococcus spp. isolated from beef and dairy cattle. J Appl Microbiol 31: 1695-1709. doi: 10.1111/jam.15069.
Lopes DRG, Duarte MS, La Reau AJ, Chaves, IZ; de Oliveira Mendes TA, Detmann E; Bento CBP, Mercadante MEZ, Bonilha SFM, Suen G, Mantovani HC. Assessing the relationship between the rumen microbiota and feed efficiency in Nellore steers. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2021, 12: 79. doi: 10.1186/s40104-021-00599-7.
Moreira SM, de Oliveira Mendes TA, Mantovani HC. Stimulation of bovicin HC5 production and selection of improved bacteriocin-producing Streptococcus equinus HC5 variants. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2021, 13:899-913. doi: 10.1007/s12602-020-09703-1.
Selected Book Chapters
Mantovani, HC, Lopes, DRG, Bento, CBP, de Oliveira, MN (2017). Microbiomes Associated with Animals: Implications for Livestock and Animal Production. In: Pylro, V, Roesch, L (eds) The Brazilian Microbiome. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59997-7_4
Graduate Courses
AnSci 420 – Microbiomes of Animal Systems (3 credits, Spring semester)
Course Description: Provides a knowledge base in both theoretical and applied scientific approaches associated with microbiome sciences in animal production systems. Covers the basic principles of microbiology through applied practical approaches in using cross-species comparisons in companion and agricultural species from classical microbiological techniques to novel next-generation sequence-based approaches.
AnSci/DySci 824 – Ruminant Nutritional Physiology I (4 credits, alternating Fall semester of RNPII)
Course Description: Focuses on rumen microbiology as well as nutrient digestion, absorption, and utilization in ruminants. Also covers VFA and amino acid metabolism, nutrient flux through tissues, and methodologies to quantify digestive and metabolic processes.
Undergraduate Animal & Veterinary Biosciences Committee, UW-Madison, chair (2023)
Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences Social Committee, member (2023)
UW Faculty Senate- District 8, alternate (2022-2023)
Research Committee, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Vicosa, Brazil (2019-2021)
Search Committee Associate Professor Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil (2019)
Member, UKRI International Development Peer Review College, UK (2019)
Panel member, National Evaluation of Graduate Programs in Agricultural Sciences, CAPES, Brazil (2017)
Area Coordinator, Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Review Panel, FAPEMIG (Minas Gerais State Foundation), Brazil (2015-2016)
Program Coordinator, Graduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil. (2011-2016)
Editorial Board:
Editorial Board Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
Frontiers in Microbiology, Guest Editor
Reviewer – Scientific Journals:
Ad-hoc reviewer for various scientific journals: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Frontiers in Microbiology, Scientific Reports, Animal Microbiome, Communications Biology, FEMS Microbiology, Microbiome, Journal of Dairy Science, Journal of Animal Science, Microorganisms, Frontiers in Genetics, Frontiers in Veterinary Sciences, PLoS One, Journal of Applied Microbiology, NPJ Food and Nutrition, Letters in Applied Microbiology, Brazilian Journal of Animal Science, Trends in Food Science & Technology, Annals of Microbiology, BMC Veterinary Research, Annals in Microbiology, BMC Veterinary Research, Livestock Science.
Reviewer – Funding agencies:
Panel member for various funding agencies: Swiss Research Foundation, British Council, UK Research and Innovation, CNPq, CAPES, FAPEMIG, FAPESP, Instituto Serrapilheira, Global Research Fund.
Keynote speaker – VI Symposium of Microbiology and Biotechnology (2023)
Best Paper Award – Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2022)
Best poster award – IV Parana Microbiology Conference (2021)
Research fellowship award – CNPq, Brazil (2019)
UK Research and Innovation Travel Grant, UK (2019)
Honorable Mention, Best research poster – IV International Symposium on Microbiology and Biotehcnology, Brazil (2019)
Keynote speaker – IV Microbiology Symposium UFMG (2017)
CAPES Travel Award (2015)
Best poster award – V International Symposium on Dairy Cattle Production, Brazil (2015)