Articles tagged with Bacterial Genomes
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.
Despite vast genomic data, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark found that DNA sequencing alone cannot distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. The team suggests that proteins provide more valuable knowledge than DNA in understanding bacterial behavior and disease-causing properties. This raises questi...
During the acute phase of H. pylori infection, the bacteria undergo accelerated evolution, accumulating mutations at a rate 30-50 times faster than during the chronic phase. This allows them to evade recognition by the immune system and survive, eventually establishing a chronic infection.
Scientists have found that bacteria can undergo two distinct types of recombination, which enables them to evade vaccines and become drug-resistant. The study, published in PLoS Genetics, used DNA sequencing data to reconstruct an evolutionary tree for pneumococcus bacteria.
The study analyzed 224 strains of Yersinia family members, revealing parallel independent evolution of pathogenicity in species like Yersinia pestis and enterocolitica. The researchers found that acquisition of specific genes and loss of metabolic functions are key traits for pathogenic species.
Researchers sequenced and analyzed genomes of listeriosis outbreak strains to reveal two distinct bacterial strains with different virulence profiles. The study highlights the importance of cleanliness in production and recalls for food safety.
Researchers used genome sequencing to reveal genetic diversity in hospital-acquired bacterium ST258, which causes carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections. The study found two distinct groups with different evolutionary histories and unique outer coat genes.
A new hypothesis suggests that leprosy has existed for millions of years, with roots dating back to around 10 million years ago. The disease is believed to have evolved from a common ancestor of two known leprosy bacteria, which underwent reductive evolution resulting in a lean genome and loss of free-living ability.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Tannerella BU063, a bacterium found in healthy human mouths. The study reveals potential targets for treating gum disease periodontitis and sheds light on the genetic differences between this bacterium and its disease-causing relative.
Researchers at U-M Medical School and institutions worldwide investigate the fiber of our being, discovering how one group of gut bacteria digests complex sugars. Their findings shed light on the science of human nutrition and have implications for commerce and industry.
Researchers have determined how Cas9, a bacterial enzyme, identifies and degrades foreign DNA during viral infections and induces site-specific genetic changes. The presence of short DNA sequences known as PAM is critical to the ability of Cas9 to target and cleave DNA sequences.
Researchers have discovered a new type of bacterium in sponges that produces bioactive substances, including polyketides and peptides. The discovery, published in Nature, sheds light on the complex symbiotic relationships between sponges and bacteria, and could lead to breakthroughs in medical treatment.
Researchers have discovered a new bacteriophage that infects the bacterium causing anthrax, offering potential solutions for detection and treatment. The phage, named Bacillus phage Tsamsa, is unusually large and can target not only anthrax but also closely related bacteria.
Researchers discovered two devastating pandemics, the plague of Justinian and the Black Death, were caused by distinct strains of the same pathogen. The strain that helped bring an end to the Roman Empire faded out on its own, while the other led to worldwide re-emergence in the late 1800s.
Researchers uncover that two devastating plagues were caused by distinct strains of the same pathogen, which may lead to a better understanding of modern infectious disease dynamics. The study also raises questions about why a highly deadly pathogen died out and could potentially inform responses to future pandemics.
Scientists will analyze 510 archived isolates of Campylobacter from human faeces to better understand its sources and transmission routes. The study aims to prevent Campylobacter-related illnesses, which cause over 21,000 hospital admissions and 100 deaths in the UK each year.
Researchers discovered a genetic machinery that enables Bacteroides ovatus to break down xyloglucan, a major type of dietary fiber. This discovery could inform tailored microbiota transplants to improve intestinal health after antibiotic use or illness.
Scientists will analyze river samples using DNA sequencing to identify and count microbes, tracking changes over seven years. The study aims to improve understanding of microbial health and sources in Chicago-area waterways.
Researchers have developed a novel DNA engineering technique to discover potentially valuable functions hidden within bacterial genomes. By reprogramming gene expression, they were able to increase the production of previously unknown compounds with useful biomedical applications.
Restoring the normal, helpful bacteria of the gut and intestines may treat patients suffering from recurrent C. difficile infections through fecal matter transplantation. The study found that transplanting fecal matter into patients with RCDI restores normal bacterial composition and resolves infection.
Researchers observed cyanobacteria assembling carboxysomes, vital cellular machinery for photosynthesis and carbon fixation, from the inside out. The findings illuminate bacterial physiology and may influence nanotechnology development.
Researchers discovered bacteria can take up small fragments of damaged DNA, including ancient DNA, and integrate it into their genome. This process, called Anachronistic Evolution, has significant implications for the spread of antibiotic resistance in hospitals.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new single-cell genome sequencing technique that confines genome amplification to fluid-filled wells with a volume of just 12 nanoliters. This approach enables the generation of more complete genome sequences from single cells, including E. coli and individual neurons from the human brain.
A team of researchers discovered a bacterium that requires rare earths to grow and produce energy from methane. The rare earths are necessary for the enzyme methanol dehydrogenase, which processes the methanol produced in methane decomposition.
Scientists create novel genomes in E. coli, expanding vocabulary and increasing resistance to viruses. The breakthrough enables safer, more productive biotechnology by introducing rare amino acids that only survive in lab environments.
Researchers from Yale and Harvard successfully recoded the E. coli genome, enabling it to resist viral infection by limiting natural protein production. The new genetic code also allows for the creation of potent proteins with novel functions.
A new method called TGV (TALE-mediated Genome Visualization) allows researchers to observe the localization of specific DNA sequences inside the nucleus of living cells. This study tracked male and female genes after fertilization, revealing new prospects for understanding cell cycle dynamics, DNA behavior, and parent gene expression.
A multidisciplinary team has identified the function of an enzyme and its biochemical pathway in a marine bacterium, using computational methods combined with laboratory techniques. This breakthrough sheds light on protein-coding genes and offers insights into the role of orthologous enzymes in similar pathways.
Researchers sequenced 147 Mycobacterium bovis genomes to track bovine TB outbreaks, revealing local transmission mechanisms drive the spread of the disease. The study provides unprecedented insight into how the disease spreads and will inform control methods.
Scientists have discovered that social amoebae can cultivate two bacterial strains, one edible and the other toxic, which differ by only one key mutation. This mutation altered the expression of genes in the non-food strain, making it edible, while the food strain retained its defense mechanisms.
Researchers tracked a healthy male subject's virome for two-and-a-half years, revealing rapid evolution of viral species. The study found that certain viral species changed substantially over time, driven by genetic mechanisms such as substitution and CRISPRs.
Researchers at Duke University have created a novel method for genome tinkering using an RNA guide, allowing precise control over specific genes. The tool has potential applications in gene therapy and regenerative medicine, including reprogramming stem cells into neurons.
Researchers successfully recovered TB genomes from a 215-year-old mummy using metagenomics, revealing mixed-strain infections and strain lineages circulating in Europe for centuries. The study highlights the significance of mixed-strain infections and the effectiveness of metagenomics in tracking microbial evolution.
Researchers at McGill University have found that cranberry derivatives can inhibit bacteria from sticking to surfaces, potentially preventing infections in medical devices such as catheters. The study's findings also suggest that cranberries may play a role in preventing chronic infections, which are a major public health concern.
Researchers used single-cell genomics to identify 201 distinct microbial genomes, revealing unexpected metabolic features and resolving relationships within and between microbial phyla. The study provides a profound leap of understanding the microbial evolution on our planet.
Mycobacteria have developed a new process called Distributive Conjugal Transfer, which allows them to mix genomes like sexual reproduction. This process enables the creation of patchwork genomes with benefits such as increased variation and adaptability.
A new study published in mBio confirms that the cholera epidemic in Haiti was caused by a single introduction of Vibrio cholerae bacteria from Nepal, rather than repeated introductions. The strains have not acquired new genetic material since their introduction and have limited ability to acquire genes through transformation.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that planktonic bacteria have reduced their genomes to optimize growth and adaptability. This adaptation allows these microorganisms to efficiently utilize diverse energy sources and survive in the ocean's complex ecosystem.
Researchers found that bacterial DNA is more likely to integrate into the human genome in tumor samples than in normal cells. The phenomenon of lateral gene transfer may play a role in cancer and other diseases linked with DNA damage.
A recent study has revealed a distinct evolutionary path for bacteria living in animals, including the mealybug's complex relationship with bacteria. The findings suggest that gene transfer from one bacterium to another plays a crucial role in maintaining this relationship.
Researchers discovered a three-way symbiosis involving six different organisms, including the smallest known genome, and found evidence of horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and their hosts. This study sheds light on fundamental questions of life's origin and the role of symbiotic relationships in shaping organismal complexity.
Researchers found that bacterial DNA is more likely to integrate into the human genome in tumor samples than in normal healthy somatic cells. The study suggests that lateral gene transfer may play a role in cancer and other diseases associated with DNA damage.
Researchers reconstructed medieval leprosy bacteria genomes from 1,000-year-old skeletons and biopsies, revealing minor genetic changes over the last 1000 years. The study suggests improved social conditions and other factors influenced the end of the leprosy epidemic.
Researchers reconstructed medieval leprosy genomes from centuries-old human remains, finding no change in the pathogen's genome despite a significant drop in cases. The study suggests humans may have developed resistance to the disease, which spread through natural selection and social isolation.
A bacterium discovered in the Canadian High Arctic can survive at –15°C, the coldest temperature ever recorded for bacterial growth. This microbe adapts to extreme conditions by modifying its cell structure and producing molecular antifreeze, providing insights into the possibility of life on Mars.
A streamlined approach to genetic engineering has been developed, reducing the time and effort needed to insert new genes into bacteria. This new method, called clonetegration, enables the rapid construction of synthetic biological systems and could facilitate genetic engineering with difficult-to-clone sequences.
Researchers analyzed the genome of C. botulinum bacteria to understand how they acquired their deadly neurotoxin gene cluster. The study found that the bacteria picked up the cluster in a single event and discovered fragments of other toxin genes, suggesting a 'hotspot' for gene transfer.
Scientists have identified a key gateway to the brain that is affected by alcohol, which could lead to the development of drugs that disrupt this interaction. The breakthrough was made using rare alpine bacteria, and the researchers plan to use mice to study the effects of altering this protein on behavior.
A team reconstructed the genome sequence of a Shiga-toxigenic E. coli outbreak strain using direct DNA sequencing from clinical specimens. The approach highlights the potential of metagenomics for identifying bacterial pathogens in outbreaks.
Scientists have cracked the genetic code of bacteria linked to periodontitis, a disease marked by inflammation and infection of the teeth's supporting ligaments and bones. The unique genetic code allows SR1 bacteria to introduce a glycine amino acid, limiting gene exchange with other bacteria.
The genome of extremophile red alga Galdieria sulphuraria reveals horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, allowing it to survive battery acid and toxic metals. This discovery provides new insights into evolution and potential applications in biotechnology.
Researchers found that identical mutations led to the evolution of specialized physiologies in three different populations of E. coli. The study suggests that negative frequency dependence plays a key role in driving diversification, and highlights the potential for predictability in evolutionary processes.
Researchers found that identical genetic changes occurred between independently evolving E. coli populations, driven by negative frequency dependence and natural selection. This discovery challenges traditional views of evolution and species diversity.
Researchers discovered a molecular machine called SCANR that recognizes and targets transposons in cells, potentially halting the spread of genetic elements. This finding builds upon previous discoveries of jumping genes and RNA interference, suggesting a novel way for cells to distinguish between 'self' and 'non-self' genes.
The study reveals that Streptococcus pneumoniae's enzyme DpnA protects foreign DNA, allowing pathogenicity island exchange between bacteria. This mechanism promotes genome diversification and helps pneumococcal virulence.
Researchers at ORNL have solved the mystery of how bacteria convert mercury into methylmercury, a far more toxic form. The team identified two genes, hgcA and hgcB, responsible for this conversion process, which has significant implications for protecting human health.
Researchers have found a way to 'mine' bacterial genomes for new drug leads by exploiting the process of antibiotic resistance. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that bacteria can produce hundreds of compounds when exposed to antibiotics, many of which are potential secondary metabolites.
Researchers have developed a new method for precisely altering the genomes of living cells, enabling targeted gene insertion and deletion with increased accuracy. This breakthrough technology has far-reaching potential applications in biofuel production, disease research, and therapy development.
Scientists at Rochester Institute of Technology have published the whole genome sequence of three bacteria associated with Jamaican sugarcane and Riesling grapevines. The genomes reveal genetic instructions that make up individual organisms, providing data for the prevention or management of diseases afflicting crops.
A new study by European Molecular Biology Laboratory researchers found that each person's gut metagenome is unique and remains stable over time. The analysis of 207 individuals revealed a high resolution of individual mutations in gut microbes, with potential applications for identifying gut diseases and developing personalized therapies.