Articles tagged with Bacterial Genomes
Scientists cultivate over half of the bacterial species found on and in the leaves and roots of Arabidopsis thaliana, creating a representative collection for microbiota reconstruction. The developed toolkit enables controlled perturbation of microbiota under controlled environmental conditions.
Researchers at UMass Medical School have developed a new CRISPR/Cas9 technology that improves gene editing accuracy by nearly 100 fold. The system combines the CRISPR/Cas9 complex with a programmable DNA-binding domain to verify an additional genetic feature before cutting the genome, reducing off-target changes.
Researchers found strong associations between bacterial lineages and age groups, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve vaccine effectiveness. Genome analysis revealed 20 families of Neisseria meningitidis, with three dominant lineages causing 59% of cases over a 20-year period.
Stanford scientists discover tetrahymanol, a fatty molecule used as an indicator for life on early Earth, in bacterial membranes. The finding suggests many bacteria might produce the lipid, challenging conventional wisdom.
Scientists have identified a new bacterium, Dehalogenimonas, that can transform toxic organochlorine compounds into harmless products. The discovery opens the door to bioaugmentation, a low-cost technique for eliminating contaminants from contaminated aquifers.
Researchers have engineered viruses to target specific bacteria, offering a new approach to combatting human disease. The customizable viruses could be used to treat various infections, including those caused by E. coli, Yersinia, and Klebsiella bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully isolated 19 unique phosphonate natural products, including those with antibiotic properties, using genome mining. The discovery could potentially lead to new treatments for diseases such as malaria and other bacterial infections.
A new computational method suggests that analyzing the relative amounts of starting DNA and ending DNA can be translated into the growth rate for each strain of bacteria. This approach has been found to reveal intriguing links between bacterial growth rates and conditions such as type II diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.
A team of researchers has sequenced nearly two-thirds of barley's genes, revealing new insights into the grain's DNA and its applications in wheat and other food sources. The advancements will aid in precision plant breeding by identifying specific markers for traits like malting quality and stem rust resistance.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University investigate the role of hydrolytic enzymes and metalloproteinases in making enterobacteria resistant to antibiotics. They find that these pathogens can cause severe diseases like meningitis, septicemia, and endocarditis, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Recent studies have shown that thinking of plants and animals as autonomous individuals is a serious over-simplification. Microbiologists propose the concept of holobionts, which consists of visible hosts plus millions of invisible microbes that significantly affect development, diseases, behavior, and social interactions.
Researchers develop VirSorter to identify previously unknown microbial hosts and analyze viral-host interactions, revealing a wide range of prophage-like viruses that coexist with their host microbes.
Researchers found genetic changes in group A streptococcus that increase toxin production, contributing to large epidemics. The study provides new insights into the molecular basis of epidemic bacterial infections and potential strategies for developing novel therapeutics.
Researchers used fruit flies to discover that groups of genes working together, rather than single genes, influence gut immunocompetence. They found that variations in these gene clusters can make some flies highly susceptible or resistant to infections, with implications for chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
A new technique has been developed to create tens of thousands of precisely guided probes covering an organism's entire genome for less than $100 in supplies. This enables genetic screening potentially accessible to organisms less well studied, facilitating targeted gene therapy and disease discovery.
The CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized biological research, enabling targeted DNA changes in living cells. This innovation is now being applied to clinical medicine, promising significant advancements in drug therapies, agriculture, and food products.
Researchers discovered that phytohormones regulate microbial abundance, influencing the composition of root microbiomes. The study found that plants can select and benefit from specific strains of microbes, but also face pathogens that take nutrients and damage plants.
A team of Vanderbilt chemists used a novel approach called 'fight clubs' to identify promising new anti-cancer compounds from natural sources. By analyzing the interactions between bacteria and other microorganisms, they discovered a class of biomolecules with broad-spectrum activity.
Scientists at UC Berkeley have identified over 35 new groups of bacteria, revealing a diverse radiation that challenges the traditional three-domain view of life. These microbes are tiny, with some as small as 400 nanometers across, and have unique features such as small genomes and unusual ribosomes.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a precision scalpel to excise target genomic regions, revealing essential and non-essential genes. The CRISPR-Cas system enables targeted editing of DNA sequences, allowing for the identification of core genomic regions critical for bacterial survival.
Scientists in Canada and UK successfully sequenced and assembled de novo the full genome of E. coli using Oxford Nanopore's MinION device, providing proof of concept for the technology and its potential to sequence genomes in complex organisms like humans.
Researchers at UGA have successfully edited the genome of a tree species using CRISPR/Cas technology, reducing lignin and condensed tannin concentrations by 20% and 50%, respectively. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for rapid and reliable gene editing in plants.
A new online tool called TB-Profiler can predict genetic resistance to tuberculosis drugs in a matter of minutes, improving the likelihood of cure for patients with drug-resistant TB. The tool uses genome sequence data to analyze and interpret resistance to 11 drugs used for treatment.
A new study by CIFAR Fellow John McCutcheon's lab found that bacteria in cicada guts have split into many separate but interdependent species. This phenomenon leaves the cicadas reliant on a bloated genome and multiple species to create essential amino acids.
Researchers at the University of Montana have discovered evidence of non-adaptive evolution within cicadas, where a single bacterium has split into dozens of species, complicating the insect's symbiotic relationship. This complexity may be detrimental to the cicada's survival, as it relies on the bacteria for essential nutrients.
University of Pittsburgh scientist Alexander Deiters has developed a new method for controlling gene editing using light, enabling more precise and controlled manipulation of genes. This approach may eliminate 'off-target effects' and enable genetic studies with unprecedented resolution.
A new study has uncovered Lokiarchaeota, a missing link in the evolution of eukaryotes, revealing unexpected complexity in its genome. The discovery provides insights into the emergence of organelles and cellular structure in early eukaryotic cells.
Researchers found a bacterium, Trichodesmium, with a unique genome that contradicts the understanding of free-living microbial genome architectures. The DNA sequence contains only about 63% expressed protein, breaking the mold for oligotrophs and challenging current knowledge.
Researchers discovered how bacteria differentiate between self and foreign DNA using the CRISPR system, which involves identifying rapidly replicating DNA and utilizing DNA repair processes to create immune memory.
Research found that a more virulent group of S. suis strains causing disease in pigs worldwide are also implicated in human diseases like meningitis and septicaemia. The study suggests that changes in pig rearing practices may have led to the emergence of these strains.
Researchers have analyzed the complete genome of Mycobacterium lepromatosis and compared it to that of the major leprosy-causing bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. The study reveals the origin and evolutionary history of both bacteria, offering new insights into their biology, global distribution, and possibly treatment.
Researchers have discovered that bacteria can acquire genetic information from viruses and other foreign invaders, which is then stored in their own genome as an immune system. The key proteins, Cas1 and Cas2, recognize repeating sequences in the CRISPR loci and target them for spacer insertion.
The study reveals a key role of Cas9 protein in recognizing viral sequences, leading to the destruction of viruses and potentially correcting mutations that cause human disease. The discovery sheds light on the complex process by which bacteria defend against viruses.
Scientists capture first detailed images of ultra-small bacteria, average volume of 0.009 cubic microns, with unique internal structure and metabolism. The discovery sheds light on the role of microbes in climate, food and water supply, and ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered a new role for the Cas9 enzyme in bacterial immune systems, revealing how bacteria form memories of past viral threats. By analyzing the interactions between Cas9 and other enzymes, scientists have gained insight into the mysterious process by which bacteria encode viral DNA in their genomes.
Researchers found no significant relationship between BMI and gut microbiome types, instead highlighting genetic variation in bacterial strains. Dr. Pollard's team developed a computational shortcut to improve accuracy of microbiome studies.
A study found that a single genomic change can turn beneficial bacteria into pathogenic bacteria by boosting bacterial density inside the host. The research team identified a region of the Wolbachia genome responsible for regulating bacterial densities in flies.
The 2015 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine was awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Rudolf Zechner for their pioneering work on harnessing bacterial immunity to develop genome editing technology, known as CRISPR-Cas9. The prize also recognizes Zechner's contributions to understanding lipid metabolism and its role in various diseases.
Research by Professor Peter Young and his team reveals that bacterial strains are unique, with different genes and capabilities, similar to human individuals having unique genetic makeup. This study sheds light on the importance of understanding bacterial communities and their functioning through metagenomics.
Researchers have identified distinct gene pathways altered by infection and diet in vascular tissue, suggesting future therapies may need to be tailored. This discovery sheds light on the complex development of atherosclerosis and its association with infections like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Chlamydia pneumoniae.
New research at Brown University reveals that bacteria have the genetic capacity to produce terpenes, with 262 gene sequences found to code for enzymes responsible. The team used these enzymes to isolate 13 previously unknown bacterial terpenes, providing a new paradigm for discovering natural products.
Gut bacteria produce cephalosporinases that protect themselves and beneficial bacteria from antibiotics, while also giving protection to harmful bacteria. The researchers found genes in Bacteroides bacteria that produce an enzyme destroying certain antibiotics.
A new study reveals that oil-dwelling bacteria have exchanged genes for eons, challenging the 'burial and isolation' scenario. The research found extensive gene flow across environments, suggesting the bacteria have long migrated to and colonized oil reservoirs.
New nanopore DNA sequencing technology has been shown to revolutionize genomic sequencing of drug-resistant bacteria, enabling rapid diagnosis and identification. The technology, called MinION, is small, affordable and accessible, and can produce accurate results in just 18 hours.
Scientists have discovered that animals, including ticks and mites, have stolen bacterial toxin genes to defend against microbial infections. The transfer of these genes has been found in various animal species, including the deer tick, which can transmit Lyme disease.
Researchers discovered contaminating bacterial and viral sequences in animal and plant genomes, highlighting the importance of careful screening. The study found unexpected DNA mixtures, including cow and sheep DNA in a supposedly finished genome, emphasizing the need for rigorous data analysis.
Researchers at MIT have engineered E. coli bacteria to store long-term analog memory through a 'genomic tape recorder' system. This stable, erasable memory can be used in various applications such as environmental monitoring and biological computing.
Researchers have discovered a novel enzyme production strategy in shipworms that breaks down wood, shedding light on the potential for these bivalves to produce biofuels. The study's findings could provide valuable insights and tools for biomass-based industries.
Researchers used the genetic data to learn about Shigella flexneri's resistance to drugs and its evolution over time. The study provides valuable insights into how the pathogen has changed since World War I and may help develop an effective vaccine for dysentery.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a database that analyzes microbial genomic data to speed up the discovery of new therapeutic drugs. The database allows scientists to identify promising gene clusters and predict the production of natural products, enabling them to target specific bacterial strains for study.
MaxBin facilitates genomic analysis of uncultivated microbial populations by automatically sorting their genomes from metagenomic sequences. The software uses an expectation-maximization algorithm to classify metagenomic sequences into discrete bins representing individual microbial species.
Termite fungus farmers developed a sophisticated system of cooperation between fungi and gut bacteria to break down complex plant components. The symbiotic community optimized for efficient plant decomposition involves division of labor, with fungi handling carbohydrates and gut microbes contributing enzymes for final digestion.
The Glanville fritillary genome, approximately 390 million base pairs long, has been fully sequenced at the University of Helsinki. The study confirms a key hypothesis about the ancestral lepidopteran species' chromosome count, revealing stability over 140 million years.
Researchers have discovered that cicadas' gut bacteria split into two species about 5 million years ago, leaving them reliant on double the species to create essential nutrients. This event is an example of non-adaptive evolution, where genetic change occurred by chance without clear benefits for the organism.
A University of Montana research lab has made a groundbreaking discovery about the cicada's symbiotic relationship with bacteria. The study found that instead of two bacterial symbionts, there are actually three, including two previously unknown species of <i>Hodgkinia</i>. This new understanding of the symbiosis reveals a more complex...
Researchers developed a powerful new tool to identify genetic changes in disease-causing bacteria that drive antibiotic resistance. The technique, called genome-wide association study (GWAS), has the potential to inform control and treatment strategies for diseases like pneumonia and meningitis.
A team of researchers from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center has identified genes and enzymes that produce a promising compound, the 19 carbon furan-containing fatty acid. This compound has various potential uses as a biological alternative to compounds derived from fossil fuels. The discovery was published in Proceedings of th...
A smartphone app study tracked daily activities and stool samples to analyze the impact of life events on gut microbiota. The results showed that specific events, such as moving abroad or getting food poisoning, significantly altered the composition of gut bacteria.
Using lab-cultured bacteria as 'bait,' researchers sequenced complete and partial genomes of 10 million viruses from an ocean water sample, revealing distinct categories and enabling recognition of actual virus populations. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the ecology and evolution of viruses in nature.
A new study reveals that certain strains of SAR11 can generate methane as a byproduct of breaking down methylphosphonic acid, producing phosphorus. This discovery explains the 'marine methane paradox' and provides an important piece of the puzzle in understanding the Earth's methane cycle.