Articles tagged with Bacterial Genomes
A team of Harvard researchers has found that organisms must stay below a mutation rate of 6 per genome per generation to prevent extinction. This discovery explains why some species are more resilient to genetic changes and offers insights into the physical properties of genetic material and its impact on survival fitness.
Scientists recorded entire genomic expression of a host bacterium and infecting virus over eight-hour infection course. The study suggests viral infection may play role in shaping bacterial genetic repertoire, leading to evolutionarily significant exchange.
Researchers found a copy of the entire Wolbachia genome within the genome of its host, Drosophila ananassae, suggesting frequent gene transfer between bacteria and multicellular organisms. The discovery raises implications for evolution and genome sequencing projects.
Researchers discovered how bacteria produce desferrioxamines, leading to new ways to treat Fire Blight disease in orchards and human iron overload. The study also identified a more efficient method for producing the pharmaceutical desferrioxamine B.
The DOE JGI has released Version 2.2 of the Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) system, offering 2,815 genomes for public access. The new system includes enhanced data exploration and analysis tools, allowing scientists to better study microbial communities.
Researchers have successfully sequenced the genome of Salinispora tropica, a bacterium discovered in Bahamian mud with potential to produce compounds showing promise in treating diseases such as cancer. The decoded genome reveals an impressive 10% of genes dedicated to producing molecules for antibiotics and anticancer agents.
The Clostridium botulinum genome, the source of the world's deadliest toxin, is remarkably stable and shows limited genetic variation. The organism uses a single-minded opportunistic approach to survive, relying on its ability to form dormant spores and attack animal hosts with its potent toxin.
Researchers have developed a computer program called Insignia to identify viruses and bacteria based on their unique DNA signatures. The program uses efficient algorithms to compare known genomes against background genomes, resulting in high accuracy detection of pathogens.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have decoded the genome of Streptococcus sanguinis, a bacteria normally present in healthy human mouths that can cause deadly heart infections. The findings provide unique insight into its complex life cycle, metabolism, and ability to invade host tissues.
The Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) data management system has been updated with new microbial genomes from NCBI's RefSeq collection, model eukaryotic genomes, and plasmids. This update brings a total of 2,782 genomes to the system, including 481 new public microbial genomes.
Researchers at Yale University have identified key virulence genes in A. baumannii bacteria, which cause highly resistant infections in combat troops. The study's findings suggest new targets for antimicrobial drugs and provide insight into the evolution of bacterial virulence.
The Institute for Genomic Research has published a draft genome sequence of Trichomonas vaginalis, the cause of trichomoniasis. The researchers identified mechanisms that help the parasite resist existing therapies and potential targets for new drugs and diagnostic techniques.
A recent study analyzes the genome of Cytophaga hutchinsonii, a bacterium that efficiently breaks down cellulose. The research suggests a possible connection between motility and cellulose digestion, which could lead to more efficient conversion of cellulose into ethanol for bioenergy production.
The DOE JGI has released version 2.0 of the Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) system, which features 1541 new public microbial, viral and eukaryotic genomes. Additionally, 177 in-house sequenced genomes have been added to the database, bringing the total number of genomes to 2301.
Researchers used comparative genome sequencing technology to study E. coli's evolution over 44 days. Mutations appeared in key genes, enabling faster growth and adapting to environmental conditions.
Researchers at UGA discovered a bacterial gene switch that regulates the conversion of sulfur compounds in ocean water to atmospheric emissions, impacting global warming. This breakthrough could help understand the biology and ecology of this process and its practical applications.
Researchers at UGA have unraveled the complex organelle in Mycoplasma pneumoniae that enables it to move and divide. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanism of gliding motility, a crucial process for cell division, and offers potential targets for treatments.
Researchers have characterized the genome sequences of nine different lactic acid-producing bacteria, encoding diverse genes for efficient carbon and nitrogen acquisition. This study will increase understanding of their role in industrial food production, leading to optimized production schemes and new bioproducts.
Scientists found that the bacterium Carsonella ruddii has the fewest genes of any cell, with only 182 protein-coding genes in its tiny genome. This discovery provides new insights into bacterial evolution and suggests that some genes may have been transferred to the insect's genome.
Researchers have discovered a way to sort through large numbers of bacterial gene sequences by testing them in caterpillars, allowing pinpointing of virulence genes. The new technique, Rapid Virulence Annotation (RVA), is helping bridge the knowledge gap in post-genomic era.
Scientists have discovered a common coastal strain of cyanobacteria that thrives in choppy, polluted waters. The study found that this strain has evolved unique metal-processing biology missing in its open-ocean relative, enabling it to absorb and process essential metals.
A new hybrid method combines the best of old and new genome-sequencing technologies to produce better quality genomic information. The approach evaluates the utility and cost-effectiveness of two sequencing methods and finds that a hybrid method produces superior results.
The DOE JGI has released IMG 1.5, which contains 62 finished and 100 draft genomes sequenced by the institute. The release includes 38 new DOE JGI genomes and 21 new public microbial genomes, with 22 archaeal genomes featuring curated gene models.
Researchers developed a phage-genomics educational platform, attracting high school and undergraduate students to scientific discovery. The study found that simplicity, flexibility, and ownership are key attributes of an effective science program.
Researchers have gained insights into the genetic mechanisms of Proteus mirabilis, a bacterium causing kidney stones and complicated urinary tract infections. The complete genome sequence, including 3,693 genes and 4.063 megabases of DNA, will help scientists identify potential targets for new vaccines.
Researchers successfully removed up to 82,000 base pairs from E. coli's genome without compromising its functions, paving the way for more efficient production of useful proteins and drugs.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified SIRT7 as a key regulator of cellular metabolism and longevity. The study reveals that SIRT7 promotes the activity of key enzymes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, leading to improved energy balance and lifespan.
Scientists have identified a new disease-causing bacterium in an immune-compromised patient with chronic granulomatous disease. The bacterium's pathogenesis was demonstrated through the isolation of the organism from lymph nodes and exposure to CGD mice, highlighting its potential as a model for studying microbial killing mechanisms.
Researchers have found that bacteria's minimal genome should be at least twice its size to ensure survival. This discovery was made using a new approach to genome modeling that takes into account an organism's evolutionary history and environment. The findings were published in Nature.
A new global evolutionary map has been created using DNA sequences of complete genomes, revealing key details about the origin of species and early evolution. The improved tree has also shed light on microbial diversity in unexplored environments.
Scientists have sequenced the complete genomes of three emerging pathogens causing ehrlichiosis, a disease affecting humans, dogs, cattle, sheep, and other animals. The study identified new genes allowing bacteria to evade immune systems and adapt to new niches.
A study of 135 bacteria and 16 primitive microorganisms reveals large- and small-scale organizational patterns in their genomes, which are highly nonrandom. The findings suggest that evolution of prokaryotes is constrained by both gene content and genome arrangement on chromosomes.
Researchers found that plants trigger the elimination of a genomic island in bacteria to prevent infection, but this process can also drive the evolution of more virulent strains. The study reveals a molecular mechanism for how plant defenses can lead to the emergence of new bacterial pathogens.
Researchers at Yale University have identified key features of the Sodalis genome, revealing its unique transition from free-living bacteria to a symbiotic relationship with the tsetse fly. The study has expanded understanding of host-pathogen characteristics and provided insights into the benefits of these symbiotic bacteria.
Researchers sequenced Salinibacter ruber's genome, discovering evidence of independent evolution of salt-surviving biochemistry. The bacterium also borrowed genes from neighboring archaea in an unusual example of cross-domain lateral gene transfer.
A new microbial genome sequence shows that C. hydrogenoformans can convert water and carbon monoxide to hydrogen, making it an excellent starting point for clean fuel production. The microbe's unique protein machines allow it to use carbon monoxide in different ways, making it more efficient than other species.
The fourth version of IMG, a collaborative effort between DOE JGI and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, adds organism phenotype characterizations and enhances comparative analysis capabilities. The update features extended Analysis Carts and improved functional profiles across organisms.
Researchers at The Institute for Genomic Research predict that infinite genomes may never be fully described due to the continuous emergence of new genes in bacteria and viruses. By analyzing eight isolates of Group B Strep, TIGR scientists discovered a core genome with an average of 1806 genes present across all strains.
The latest version of IMG, a collaborative effort between the DOE JGI and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, enables users to add annotations and save analysis results. The update also features improved comparative analysis capabilities and a new training workshop designed for teachers and students.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed new tests for detecting Johne's disease in cattle, enabling faster diagnosis and reducing economic losses. The tests can detect the bacteria in fecal matter or milk and are completed in 72 hours or less with high accuracy.
A recent study reveals that symbiotic bacteria, such as Blochmannia, exhibit exceptional genomic stability despite rapid protein evolution. Genome sequencing of the black carpenter ant mutualist revealed that all shared genes were completely conserved in both genomes, indicating a striking lack of genetic change over millions of years.
Researchers discover key biochemical tools that cold-adapted bacteria use to survive in subzero temperatures, including cell membranes packed with polyunsaturated fatty acids and protective solutes inside cells. The study also reveals potential industrial applications for cold-hardy enzymes found in the Colwellia psychrerythraea genome.
A new study reveals that about 13% of ocean bacteria contain the light-sensitive proteorhodopsin enzyme, which harnesses sunlight's energy to survive in nutrient-poor environments. The discovery also sheds light on the potential for these microorganisms to metabolize sulfur and manufacture retinal, a molecule associated with vision.
Researchers sequenced the genome of Rickettsia felis to understand its biology and behavior. They discovered two unexpected plasmids that can replicate on their own, leading to novel techniques for study. The discovery also revealed a conjugation mechanism, forcing a reevaluation of how intracellular bacteria exchange genetic material.
A genome study of the beneficial microbe Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 has identified new chemical pathways that may help boost plant health and combat plant diseases. The research, published in Nature Biotechnology, reveals the potential for this microbe to produce new antibiotic compounds.
A new transcription factor system in bacteria has been identified, which represses expression of genes involved in DNA replication. The system was discovered using comparative genomics and phylogenetic footprinting, revealing a highly conserved signal sequence and the regulatory transcription factor that binds it.
Karen Guillemin, a University of Oregon researcher, has received the American Society of Microbiology's Irving S. Sigal Merck Award for her innovative work on beneficial microbes. Her research explores the dialogue between animals and their resident microbiome, revealing its importance in development.
The new IMG 1.1 version features enhanced capabilities to improve the efficiency of genome analysis, including a function to compare gene occurrence profiles and support infrastructure for comparative organism statistics. The tool continues to be updated quarterly with new public and DOE JGI genomes.
A French genetics study comparing leprosy-causing bacteria strains reveals a single bacterial clone has spread globally over centuries. The research also suggests the disease may have originated in East Africa and spread to Europe and North America through human migrations.
Scientists have discovered a way to bio-synthesize an anti-cancer compound using a microbe found in sea squirts. The study, published in PNAS, reveals that the Prochloron microbe produces two patellamide compounds, which can be produced through biosynthesis without destroying large numbers of sea squirts.
Researchers found that bacterial lineages can be traced despite widespread gene-swapping, which affects medicine and treatment. The study also identifies common genetic material transmission mechanisms.
Researchers found that gut bacterium B. theta adapts its genome in response to changing nutrient conditions, allowing it to maintain stability of the gut's complex microbial society. The study reveals that this adaptability is crucial for maintaining intestinal health and preventing diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
The DOE JGI has launched a public online microbial genome data clearinghouse, IMG, to facilitate the analysis and comparison of microbial genomes. The platform offers a comprehensive system for exploring and annotating DOE JGI-sequested genomes, enabling scientists to tap into the diversity of microbial environments.
A team led by Steven L. Salzberg and Michael B. Eisen found three new Wolbachia species in the Drosophila genome database, including Wolbachia wAna, wSim, and wMoj.
The E. histolytica genome sequence shows a degraded core genome with retained and expanded gene families characteristic of more complex organisms. This study provides insights into the amoeba's unusual shared biology with anaerobic gut bacteria, shedding light on its metabolic processes and potential drug targets.
Researchers have discovered three new bacterial species, Wolbachia wAna, wSim, and wMoj, in the genomes of Drosophila fruit flies. The discovery was made by scanning raw genomic data from the Trace Archive, a public repository of sequencing projects.
The genome sequence of V. fischeri reveals surprising parallels with Vibrio cholerae and other pathogens, indicating toxin activity genes. The research sheds light on the connection between quorum sensing and global regulatory networks in bacterial cell communication.
Researchers have completed the first complete genome sequence of Dehalococcoides ethenogenes, a bacterium that dechlorinates major groundwater pollutants. The study reveals the microbe's unique metabolic capabilities, including 19 reductive dehalogenases and five hydrogenase complexes.
The study compared the complete genome sequences of four Campylobacter strains, identifying novel phages and megaplasmids that may help scientists understand the bacteria's virulence. The analysis also revealed sequence variations among the strains, including major structural differences related to DNA insertions.
The sequencing of S. pomeroyi, an ocean bacterium, provides valuable tools to understand its functions and impact on the atmosphere. Early investigation reveals 4,283 regions in the genome that predict protein synthesis and cellular machinery.