Articles tagged with Microbial Genetics
Researchers successfully produced alstonine, a naturally occurring substance with potential for treating mental disorders, using genetically engineered yeast cells. The yeast platform has the potential to discover and develop plant-based medicines, including those for schizophrenia.
Researchers observed a satellite bacteriophage consistently attaching to a helper bacteriophage at its neck, revealing a new viral relationship. The discovery suggests that this system may be more common than previously thought and could have significant implications for understanding the evolution of viruses.
A study found that river plastics can host pathogenic microbes like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia, while water samples contained human pathogens. Degraded plastics released more organic compounds, encouraging microbial growth and antimicrobial resistance gene presence.
Researchers analyze waste samples from 55 lined pit latrines in Malawi to understand the complex microbial communities. The findings reveal that aerobic microbes are more abundant near the surface and anaerobic microbes deeper in the pit, helping break down human waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Australian researchers analyzed over 1,300 Golden staph strains, linking specific genes to antibiotic resistance and the bacteria's ability to linger in the bloodstream. The study highlights the diagnostic power of integrating clinical and genomic data to develop targeted solutions for deadly superbug infections.
Researchers find that Acinetobacter baumannii can achieve significant functional modifications in protein complexes over short evolutionary time spans, particularly in hair-like cell appendages. This diversity may affect the pathogen's interaction with its environment and inform personalized therapies.
The PLOS Biology special issue explores plant engineering to combat climate change, from ancient breeding techniques to genome engineering. The collection highlights strategies for enhancing climate-resilience in crops, including microbiome manipulation and synthetic biology.
Researchers found that viruses can insert genes into bacteria to help them adapt and survive in nutrient-depleted man-made environments. The study also identified novel immune systems against viruses in bacteria and detected antibiotic resistance genes in viruses on human skin and surfaces.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience clarifies the connection between autism and the microbiome, identifying autism-specific metabolic pathways associated with particular human gut microbes. The analysis, which harmonized dozens of previously published datasets, reveals a common microbial signature distinguishing autistic fr...
Researchers have discovered that eukaryotes, including plants, animals, and fungi, share a common ancestor among the Asgards. The team identified a newly described order called the Hodarchaeales as the closest microbial relative to all complex life forms on the tree of life.
Scientists at UCSF and NIBSC have developed two new oral polio vaccines with genetically engineered weakened poliovirus to reduce reversion to dangerous forms. These vaccines aim to boost the World Health Organization's efforts to eradicate polio, which has persisted despite successful international vaccination campaigns.
A new study proposes that ancestors of Prochlorococcus microbes used chitin particles as rafts to venture into the open ocean. This enabled them to evolve new abilities and eventually thrive in the nutrient-poor waters, playing a crucial role in absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Scientists have developed a DNA editing tool called SAGE that makes it easier and faster to engineer microbes for various applications. The technology revolutionizes the process of modifying microbes, allowing researchers to advance fundamental biology and bioengineering.
A new study found that eating walnuts may alter the mix of gut microbes in a way that increases the body's production of amino acid L-homoarginine, which has been linked to lower cardiovascular risk. Researchers also discovered higher levels of certain bacteria in the gut of participants on the walnut diet.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that microbes living on the leaves of perennial crops like miscanthus and switchgrass play a crucial role in plant resilience. The research identifies specific microbial functions that could be targeted for future management, promoting crop growth and reducing environmental impact.
Scientists create modified E. coli bacteria that cannot be infected by viruses while minimizing gene escape into the wild. This breakthrough technology has implications for reducing viral contamination in biotechnology production, such as insulin production and biofuel manufacturing.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that common microbiome analysis techniques can yield erroneous results due to incomplete DNA databases. The researchers used computer simulations to test the consistency of current methods, showing that a large number of detected species are not actually present in the community.
Researchers discovered that certain microorganisms dominate burned soil after a wildfire, with some species increasing in abundance and others consuming charcoal. This finding could help revive megafire dead zones and provide insights into the human microbiome's response to stress.
The study reveals unexpected mechanisms that enable Aromatoleum aromaticum EbN1 T to adapt to changing environments. By analyzing its metabolic network, researchers developed a model to predict growth under diverse conditions.
The study reveals that repeated mutations in the sarZ gene lead to increased severity of MRSA blood stream infections, and that surface protein ClfB plays a critical role in pathogenesis. The findings provide insights into the factors contributing to MRSA virulence and may help uncover new treatment approaches.
A new study reveals that smallpox originated more than 3,800 years ago, confirming historical sources and shedding light on the disease's history. The researchers used genetic analysis to trace the evolution of the virus, finding that different strains descended from a single common ancestor.
Researchers discovered a new ancient branch of life, Provora, comprising microbial predators that nibble prey to death. These microbes, called nibblerids and nebulids, were found in marine habitats globally and differ by 170-180 nucleotides from all other living things.
A new study reveals that only a small fraction of marine microorganisms consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide, with less than three percent accounting for up to a third of the process. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the ocean's carbon cycle.
Research from the University of Reading found that sinks and P-traps harbor a surprising number of fungal organisms, including black moulds and relatives of baker's yeast. The study showed that these microorganisms can tolerate high temperatures, low pH, and low nutrients, making them a potential risk to health in certain environments.
Researchers at Leibniz-HKI discovered a yellow natural substance that regulates the multicellular stage of the amoeba <em>D. discoideum</em>. The polyketide, dictyoden, prevents premature hatching from spores, maintaining the development cycle. The study provides insights into the complex transition from single- to multicellularity.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found that gut pain-sensing neurons regulate the microbial community in the intestines, boosting beneficial microbes to protect against inflammation. The study suggests that targeting these neurons could lead to new anti-inflammatory treatments for IBD and other disorders.
Researchers have engineered a microbe to break down and upcycle mixed plastics into building blocks for next-generation materials. The process converts deconstructed plastic waste into polyhydroxyalkanoates or beta-ketoadipate, ideal for applications such as automotive parts.
Researchers have identified a single mutation in the MDS3 gene that improves yeast's tolerance to carbon dioxide pressure, resulting in full-flavored beer. This breakthrough could lead to improved quality beer production worldwide.
Researchers at Rice University have created macroscale, modular materials from engineered bacteria that can self-assemble and perform various functions. The materials, dubbed BUD-ELMs, contain living cells that allow them to grow, repair, and respond to external stimuli.
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.
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.
A study found that plant genetic variability controls specific microorganisms, influencing microbial community composition and plant reproductive success. The research used Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes and metabarcoding DNA sequencing to analyze the impact of genetics on leaf microbiota.
Researchers used C. elegans to investigate inter-individual variation in metabolism and found genetic variants that affect metabolic differences between individuals. They discovered unique metabolites in different strains of the worm, which could help tailor biomedical recommendations to individual metabolism.
Researchers found that domesticated maize recruits different microbes from soil than its wild ancestors, including those involved in nitrogen cycling. This shift may be driving the need for synthetic fertilizers, but understanding the ancestral microbiome could help breed crops more sustainably.
Scientists discovered a new species of giant filamentous bacterium, Thiomargarita magnifica, with DNA clustered within membrane-bound compartments. This unique organism challenges traditional understanding of bacterial morphology and genomic complexity.
Researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) found that chromatin, a genetic architecture that protects DNA and regulates gene expression, originated in ancient microbes between 1-2 billion years ago. This eukaryotic innovation has been essential for life since its emergence.
Researchers found microbes influence which genes are used for fat digestion and absorption, leading to changes in epithelial cells. The study also showed microbes promote lipid absorption and impact systemic processes like weight gain.
A study found that higher doses of antibiotics are needed to eliminate bacterial infections with other microbes present. Researchers developed a model of the human airways to replicate poly-microbial infections, which often persist despite treatment in people with cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases.
A new bacterial strain, Noda2021, belonging to Candidatus phylum Dependentiae has been isolated and sequenced, revealing its genetic material and potential ecological significance. This discovery sheds light on the diversity of microorganisms in Japan's microbiological hotspots.
A new, reliable kill switch has been developed to eliminate genetically modified microbes that pose environmental risks. By inserting multiple kill switches into the microbial DNA, a success rate of one in billion microbes was achieved during experiments.
A comprehensive 'vertical map' of airborne microorganisms has been created, showing that temperature is the single most important factor influencing their composition. As global temperatures rise, this could lead to significant changes in the air microbiome, affecting human health and food security.
Researchers developed a method called 6mASCOPE that measures DNA tagging system accuracy and distinguishes bacterial from human DNA. The study found high levels of methylation in plant, fly, mouse, and human cells, but mostly attributed to contamination.
Researchers discovered that microbes capable of extracellular electron transfer (EET) are spread through horizontal gene transfer and exist in various environments worldwide. The genes, which enable EET, were found in a wide range of organisms, from deep-sea microbes to human gut bacteria.
A new study reveals that microbes in the guts of hibernating ground squirrels play a crucial role in recycling nutrients and maintaining muscle mass. The discovery could have significant implications for humans with muscle-wasting disorders and astronauts on extended space voyages.
A new sequencing technique called 2bRAD-M has been developed to accurately identify species-level information from low-biomass and degraded microbiome samples. The method uses restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to produce high-resolution profiles of bacteria, archaea, and fungi down to the level of species.
The Microbiome and Metagenomics Center at UC San Diego will analyze stool samples from 10,000 All of Us Research Program participants to develop algorithms predicting individual responses to food. This will enable personalized nutrition recommendations based on an individual's genetics, gut microbes, and lifestyle factors.
Scientists have discovered a new layer of regulation in plant-microbe interactions using peanut studies. An antisense long-noncoding RNA, DONE40, was found to bind to a protein involved in epigenetic control, suggesting a conserved function across plants and animals.
Researchers created a model system to study the ultrasmall bacteria TM7 and found that they acquired a gene cluster encoding the arginine deiminase system, which helps them survive and multiply in the human oral cavity. This discovery suggests that TM7 may play a more protective role in oral health than previously thought.
A genetic variation among some Greenlanders makes sugar healthy by converting it into a short-chain fatty acid called acetate, which boosts the immune system. Adult carriers have lower BMI, weight, and fat percentage, while children may experience negative consequences from consuming sugar.
Researchers found fecal transplants increase IL-25, reducing tissue inflammation and boosting immune system response to C. difficile infections. The transplants also promote beneficial microbial diversity, helping patients heal from life-threatening diarrhea.
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 discovered that these 'meat-eating' bees have a unique gut microbiome enriched with acid-loving bacteria, similar to those found in vultures. The bees' ability to eat dead bodies is surprising, but they can also store honey and have special chambers for meat storage.
Researchers created novel frog models to replicate polycystic kidney disease, allowing for real-time observation of disease processes. AI analysis enabled rapid assessment of disease in the tiny animals.
A study found that climate change will alter functioning of marine microbial communities, with plankton at the poles being particularly badly damaged by rising temperatures. In temperate zones, they'll suffer from reduced nutrient flows, while in the tropics, increased salinity will affect them.
Researchers found evidence of two fungal species used in blue cheese and beer production in ancient feces from Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut. The findings suggest that people consumed blue cheese and beer during the Iron Age, nearly 2,700 years ago, and retained a non-Westernized gut microbiome structure until the Baroque period.
Scientists have developed a method to produce strigolactones, a group of plant hormones that prevent excessive budding and branching. By combining yeast and bacteria, researchers can synthesize these hormones from microbes, providing a promising alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new method for detecting single DNA molecules directly from individual cells, eliminating the need for subsequent steps. The 3D-integrated nanopore allows for efficient delivery of released DNA molecules to the sensing zone, enabling robust detection and analysis.
Scientists from Bigelow Laboratory discovered microorganisms in crustal rock beneath the Atlantic Ocean, using a new method to study them. The findings show that these microbes survive mostly off carbon from seawater, with some possibly using carbon monoxide for energy.
A team of researchers at the University of Kansas discovered that soil microbes facilitate heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor, in hybrid corn. In most cases, heterosis is restored by inoculation with a simple community of seven bacterial strains under sterile conditions.
Parasites produce gametes through a unique cell division process that differs from traditional biology. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of sexual reproduction in microbes and its potential impact on disease-causing strains.