Articles tagged with Host Microbe Interactions
A graduate student's accidental discovery sheds light on how squash bug nymphs acquire essential bacteria. Researchers found that the nymphs eat adult feces to obtain the necessary microbes, an elegant solution to a basic problem. This finding may offer insights for improved methods to control squash bugs, a significant agricultural pest.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that high-fat diets change gut bacteria and bile acids, leading to inflammation and affecting intestinal stem cell replenishment. The altered bile acids cause inflammation and increase cancer risk in mice.
Researchers found that competition between beneficial bacterial strains degrades the service they provide to plants, resulting in smaller benefits. The study used native California plant and eight compatible nitrogen-fixing bacterial strains to directly measure their ability to infect plants and provide benefits.
A study reveals that specific bacteria drive the evolution of antimicrobial peptides in Drosophila, providing insights into how host immune systems adapt to new ecological niches. The findings also suggest a new model for AMP-microbiome evolution.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that bioluminescent bacteria use a small RNA molecule called Qrr1 to coordinate their behavior and colonize the squid's light organ. This mechanism is likely widespread among bacteria, enabling them to exploit quorum sensing pathways.
Researchers have identified over 30 previously unknown RNA viruses in sea lice, suggesting they may play a role in controlling sea-lice populations. The viruses' ability to rapidly replicate and weaken their hosts maintains balance in nature.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University have discovered that symbiotic and pathogenic fungi use a similar group of proteins to interact with and live within plants. This finding suggests that both pathogens and symbionts are using universal mechanisms to colonise plant cells.
A new study reveals that different species of bacteria colonize specific areas on diatoms, reflecting their metabolic properties. The findings provide insight into the complex interactions between algae and bacteria in marine environments.
A study published in Cell Reports found that rodents exposed to microgravity had altered gut microbiomes, which may contribute to bone loss. The researchers also discovered that certain bacterial species in the gut produced molecules that influenced bone remodeling.
Researchers discovered that viruses that infect bacteria and archaea in deep-sea hydrothermal vents share a common immunological memory, allowing symbiotic microbes to defend against the same virus. This challenges conventional wisdom on virus-host interactions, revealing a more nuanced relationship between these microorganisms.
Fruit fly gut remodels itself to accommodate beneficial microbiome species, maintaining long-term stability of the gut environment. The research team identified physical conditions and substances that facilitate colonization by desirable species.
A study of bird poop reveals a unique relationship between birds and their microbiomes, which differ from those found in mammals. The researchers found that the types of bacteria present in the birds' gut microbiomes change over short time periods, rather than being tied to specific host species.
A new study found that increased consumption of live dietary microbes is linked to better health outcomes, including lower waist circumference and body mass index. The research suggests that a higher intake of fermented foods, raw fruits, and vegetables may support immune function and increase the diversity of microbes in the gut.
Researchers from Rutgers Cancer Institute have identified specific microorganisms associated with inflammation and poor survival in pancreatic tumors. These microbial signatures can be used as new targets for earlier diagnosis or treatment of the fourth leading cause of cancer death.
Tagbo Niepa's research aims to capture and store a person's healthy gut microbiome, then restore balance when ill. The technology has the potential to revolutionize illness treatment, especially for diseases like C. diff infection.
Researchers are exploring ways to target and manipulate the human microbiome, with potential applications in treating diseases such as depression, obesity, and retinal disorders. The conference will feature presentations on innovative strategies and recent findings in modulating microbiota and microbial components.
Researchers found that genetic makeup of mice affects bacteria in their gut, with heritable species and co-evolution observed. The study's findings could provide new insights into treating human gut-related conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
A team of researchers at the University of Hawaii collected over 3,000 microbial samples from Waimea Valley's watershed, discovering that microbes follow the food web and are maintained within soil and stream water. The study also found that local distribution of a microbe predicts its global distribution.
Researchers successfully engineered E. coli collected from human and mice gut microbiomes, showing potential to treat diseases such as diabetes. The engineered bacteria retain their activity for the entire lifetime of the host and positively influence diabetes progression in mice.
Researchers examine the genomic variations of 191 microbial strains paired with their host plants to understand cooperation and conflict. They found that 80% of symbiont genes align with the host's interest, often paying for them to be beneficial despite competing interests.
A newly published framework outlines steps for administering probiotics to wildlife, prioritizing native species, effective dosages, and delivery systems. The goal is to restore beneficial bacteria and protect key symbiotic relationships, while considering potential risks and side effects.
Gut bacteria produce inositol lipids, vital for cellular processes in humans, and these substances impact the symbiosis between bacteria and their hosts. The discovery sheds light on how gut bacteria thrive in their human hosts.
A study found that indoor pollutants and human activities impact home biology and chemistry. Researchers detected diverse molecules from skin care products, food, and feces in a test home, with human-derived metabolites dominating the microbiome.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that antibiotic-resistant plasmid molecules can spread quickly through bacterial communities, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This raises concerns about the potential for antimicrobial resistance to spread in environmental settings and impact human health.
Chronic bacterial infections can lead to chronic inflammation and DNA damage, increasing CRC risk. Salmonella infections are particularly risky, as they impair immune responses and promote tumorigenesis.
Researchers developed a new software tool, called 'meta-transcriptome detector,' that integrates genetic sequencing analysis of hosts and their microbiomes. The tool enables analysis of gene expression activity in both microbes and hosts simultaneously, allowing researchers to spot relationships between them.
Researchers observed that bacteria change their swimming behavior to avoid getting stuck in confined spaces. In open areas, bacteria meander without discernible pattern, but upon entry into tight spaces, they straighten their paths to escape, suggesting physical features like walls and corners serve as crucial cues.
Researchers found that Chagas trypanosomes change the bacterial community in predatory bugs' intestines, leading to a decrease in diversity and an increase in certain pathogenic bacteria. The study also identified four bacteria species crucial for bug survival, which could be used to develop defensive substances against the parasite.
An international research team analyzed the microbial community living on the carapaces of deep-sea squat lobsters, finding a diverse microbiome that likely provides benefits to both organisms. The microbes utilize energy-rich chemical compounds, while the squat lobsters may use them as a source of nutrients or have them remove toxic s...
A study discovered that fungus Cyanodermella asteris synthesizes valuable compounds in plant Aster tataricus, influencing its growth. The interaction reveals a two-way dialogue between the microbe and host, with the fungus producing beneficial compounds while also being influenced by plant hormones.
A team of researchers discovered that chance plays a significant role in the formation of individual gut microbiomes, with genetic, diet, and environmental factors influencing the odds of colonization. The study's findings have major implications for treatments like fecal transplants and probiotics.
A University of Ottawa review provides the first field-wide summary of how pesticide exposure affects social bee gut microbiotas. The study found that pesticides disturb microbial communities, leading to a loss of benefits and potential decline in bee health and performance.
A recent study found that cover cropping can reduce the population of Pseudomonas syringae, a common bacterial pathogen affecting agricultural crops. The researchers also discovered an increase in beneficial microbes such as Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium, which have been used as biocontrol agents against pathogens.
The £10m Leverhulme Centre for the Holobiont aims to map associations between microbes and higher organisms to understand how they support each other. This knowledge can help manipulate the relationship to save species from extinction, grow crops more efficiently and restore habitats.
Plant scientists can now image above and below-ground structures with unprecedented clarity, revealing new insights into biological processes. The development of three-dimensional X-ray microscopy enables the observation of microscopic molecular and cellular processes driving plant phenotypes.
Researchers found that gut microbiome changes can reduce b-amyloid deposits in male mice, indicating a potential target for preventing and treating dementia. Daily fecal matter transplants restored the pre-antibiotic microbiome, suggesting microglia memory plays a role.
A new study explores how plants respond differently to useful and harmful microbes, revealing that accessory chromosomes from fungal strains dictate these responses. Most plant genes are expressed similarly in response to both beneficial and pathogenic fungi, but with key differences occurring just 12 hours after interaction.
Researchers developed an integrated framework combining single-cell and metagenomics to characterize microbes. The approach showed higher accuracy and precise binning, revealing more bacterial genera and intra-species diversity.
A team of researchers has discovered a new group of coral-infecting microbes called Corallicolida. Despite lacking photosynthetic genes, they express chlorophyll genes and may still play a role in their host cells. The authors propose that Corallicolida could be an ancient parasite that lost its photosynthetic machinery.
A new commentary paper highlights the need for more research into the microbes living in and on sea creatures. The authors propose a research agenda to fill knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of beneficial microbes' roles in marine ecosystems.
A high-fat diet causes inflammation and damages intestinal epithelial cells, leading to the growth of harmful microbes and increased production of trimethylamine-N-oxide, a metabolite associated with cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that restoring intestinal function with a drug can blunt this effect.
Researchers discovered that Wolbachia's growth affects its cost for the host and its transmission efficiency. The team found that protection against viruses depends on the amount of Wolbachia at the moment of infection, while longevity relates to its speed of growth in adult hosts.
Experts warn that rewilding the modern gut microbiota without careful consideration of microbial evolution could lead to health problems. Restoring the preindustrialized microbiome may not necessarily improve health, but rather reflect adaptive responses to industrial society.
Researchers from Institute for Systems Biology uncover evidence that mutations generate positive genetic interactions among rare microbial individuals, increasing cooperativity and enabling their persistence. The study also reveals parallel evolution underlying the co-evolution of two organisms in a mutualistic community.
A collaborative team of 28 professors from various biology fields will integrate recent discoveries about microbial symbiosis and its impact on evolution and ecology.
The Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences supports early-career researchers with four-year funding for foundational research. This year's class of 22 scholars tackles complex questions in biomedicine, including aging differences between males and females, inflammatory disease trajectories, and temperature regulation mechanisms.
A study reveals that holobionts, including viruses and microbes, interact through a distinct microbiome at the coral-algal interface. This interaction determines the outcome of competition between corals and turf algae, leading to shifting reef ecosystems.
A new study reveals that fish on Caribbean coral reefs harbor unique gut microbial communities, with some microbes living broadly in the ocean while others are resident to specific species. The researchers found 59 dominant types of microbes in five fish species.
A team of MSU researchers has discovered a previously unidentified microbe, Spiroplasma sp. WSS, that lives symbiotically with the wheat stem sawfly. The discovery was made using genomic material from sawflies collected at larval and adult stages, and found to help sawflies break down sugars and manufacture nutrients.
A gene in mice affects both bacterial populations and bile acid levels, revealing novel interactions between microbes and metabolites. The research integrates genetic mapping with metabolomic data, providing insights into the complex factors shaping microbial communities.
A new high-performance computing-driven model of the gut predicts emerging behaviors and responses to biological threats, simulating cell phenotype changes, signaling pathways, and immune responses. The model identifies key factors that delineate the outcome of infection, including epithelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
The UMD Institute for Genome Sciences has been awarded $17.5 million to continue its genome-based investigation of polymicrobial infectious disease outcomes. The grant will support research into host-pathogen-microbiome interactions, focusing on multiple bacteria, fungal pathogens, and parasitic tropical diseases.
The study found that the microbial communities of corals' calcium carbonate skeletons showed greater richness compared to tissue and mucus microbiomes. This suggests that co-evolution between corals and their microbiomes occurred over time, with specific groups of microbes evolving together more recently.
A $200,000 Pew grant will support research into how dietary nutrients affect gut microbes and glucose sensing in zebrafish. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind this interaction and identify new strategies to combat disorders like diabetes and obesity.
A study found that dogs living in rural environments had distinct skin microbiota and lower allergy prevalence compared to urban dogs. Exposure to rural microbes through urban planning may improve urban health.
Research reveals vampire bats' reliance on their genome and microbiome for survival on a low-energy diet. The study shows that the bat's microbiome helps compensate for the lack of vitamins and fatty substances in their blood-based diet.
A team of 106 Concordia undergraduate students co-authored a review article on human gut microbiota and its interactions with the host. The project, led by affiliate assistant professor Chiara Gamberi, aimed to improve students' writing and editing skills.
A new paradigm for microbiome research suggests that each person's microbiome responds differently to stress, rather than following a predictable pattern. This concept, called the Anna Karenina principle, has key implications for antibiotic therapy, chronic disease management and other medical approaches.
Scientists found caterpillars have only 50,000 times fewer microbes than human guts, suggesting most are ingested from surroundings. Caterpillars can grow and develop without microbes, challenging the idea of a universal microbiome among animals
New research identifies nitrogen as a key driver for gut health, revealing how diet impacts the microbiota. The study suggests that the availability of intestinal nitrogen to microbes is crucial in shaping the microbiome.