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Real super-bugs can save the planet - Microbiology Today: November 2004 issue
October 26, 2004Beneficial bacteria have fast-tracked evolution to solve some of our pollution problems, according to an article in the November 2004 issue of Microbiology Today, the quarterly magazine of the Society for General Microbiology. Using the same mechanisms that have allowed hospital superbugs to survive in the presence of antibiotics, many bacteria have changed their behaviour and now use our toxic chemicals as a source of food.
Researchers at the University of Wales Bangor have studied the way that bacteria share DNA in order to adapt and survive by using, and so degrade, synthetic chemicals, like dyes and solvents, released into the environment. These moveable pieces of DNA, called plasmids, can be easily passed between bacteria of the same and often very different species.
"Modern industry releases many synthetic chemicals into the environment which are hazardous to us, our livestock and crops," explains Professor Peter Williams. However, many bacteria are dealing with this problem and removing these substances. Bacteria are using genes that they already had for degrading natural waste materials and exchanging and rearranging them amongst themselves.
"This movement of genes is essentially the same as that which drives the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitals with its associated hazards, but in this case the result is beneficial and produces bacteria that can clean potential pollution from the environment. These bacteria are the real superbugs," says Professor Williams.
Microbiologists confront evolution in action on a daily basis in their work. Microbes resistant to antimicrobial agents have emerged through mutation or by acquiring protective genes from other microbes. Gene swapping or genetic reassortment allows viruses to stay one step ahead of the immune system. Natural selection lets individuals within a microbial community adapt and survive in a new environment or experiment.
Other features in the November 2004 issue of Microbiology Today include:
Microbial evolution in action (page 158)
Bacterial populations adapt - genetically, by natural selection - even in the lab! (page 160)
RNA viruses - evolution in action (page 163)
The evolution of antifungal resistance in Candida species (page 166)
Serial endosymbiotic theory (SET) and composite individuality (page 172)
These are just some of the articles that appear, together with all the regular features and reports of Society activities.
Society for General Microbiology
"This movement of genes is essentially the same as that which drives the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitals with its associated hazards, but in this case the result is beneficial and produces bacteria that can clean potential pollution from the environment. These bacteria are the real superbugs," says Professor Williams.
Microbiologists confront evolution in action on a daily basis in their work. Microbes resistant to antimicrobial agents have emerged through mutation or by acquiring protective genes from other microbes. Gene swapping or genetic reassortment allows viruses to stay one step ahead of the immune system. Natural selection lets individuals within a microbial community adapt and survive in a new environment or experiment.
Other features in the November 2004 issue of Microbiology Today include:
Microbial evolution in action (page 158)
Bacterial populations adapt - genetically, by natural selection - even in the lab! (page 160)
RNA viruses - evolution in action (page 163)
The evolution of antifungal resistance in Candida species (page 166)
Serial endosymbiotic theory (SET) and composite individuality (page 172)
These are just some of the articles that appear, together with all the regular features and reports of Society activities.
Society for General Microbiology
Evolution Current Events and Evolution News RSSFemales shut down male-male sperm competition in leafcutter ants
Leafcutter ant queens can live for twenty years, fertilizing millions of eggs with sperm stored after a single day of sexual activity.
Cultural divide in ability to recognize sensual sounds
An F1000 evaluation looks at a British study of how the six basic human emotions are universally recognized but other positive emotions are culturally specific
Broad Application of Bipolar Diagnosis in Children May Do More Harm than Good
Troubled children diagnosed with bipolar disorder may fare better with a different diagnosis, according to researchers at The Hastings Center.
University of Arizona astronomers discover most primitive supermassive black holes known
Astronomers have come across what appear to be two of the earliest and most primitive supermassive black holes known. The discovery, based largely on observations from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, will provide a better understanding of the roots of our universe, and how the very first black holes, galaxies and stars all came to be.
Students discover new species of raptor dinosaur
A new species of dinosaur, a relative of the famous Velociraptor, has been discovered in Inner Mongolia by two PhD students.
GW Ph.D. candidate and UCL grad student discover new species of raptor dinosaur
new species of raptor dinosaur being named Linheraptor exquisitus has been discovered by George Washington University doctoral candidate Jonah Choiniere and Michael D. Pittman, a graduate student at University College London (UCL).
An organic approach to pest control -- releasing super-sexed (but sterile) male insects
An improved method for sustainable pest control using "super-sexed" but sterile male insects to copulate with female ones is being developed by agricultural researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Getting turned on
Scientists have identified a mechanism that switches on an extremely important process for the proper functioning and survival of our body's cells.
Study Suggests Environment May Impact Apes' Ability to Understand Declarative Communication
When we notice somebody pointing at something, we automatically look in the direction of the gesture. In humans, the ability to understand this type of gesturing (known as declarative communication) may seem to be an automatic response, but it is actually a sign of sophisticated communication behavior.
Molecular study could push back angiosperm origins
Flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought, says a new analysis of the plant family tree.
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