Articles tagged with Microbial Genetics
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.
A new study found that decades of corn breeding led to a degradation of sustainable nitrogen-fixing microbes in the soil, contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers recreated the history of corn breeding from 1949 to 1986 and found modern corn varieties recruit fewer beneficial microbes than earlier varieties.
Researchers used models to predict cross-feeding interactions between microbes in the human gut, which could aid doctors in understanding gut health. The model was supported by genomic annotations and accurately predicted about 65% of its predictions.
A study found that trophoblastic β1-glycoproteins in pregnant women's blood suppress pro-inflammatory immune cells and reduce inflammation. The substance may help prevent pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers have developed a method to modify microbes for efficient production of compounds using computational models and CRISPR-based gene editing. This approach speeds up the research and development phase, enabling faster commercialization of sustainable bio-based products.
A OU-led study integrates omics data into ecosystem models to better predict soil carbon loss due to warming-induced adaptation in microbial communities. The findings suggest a more nuanced understanding of the ecological consequences of climate warming.
A $1.3 million DOE grant is funding a five-year collaboration to examine the genetic and environmental factors affecting mycorrhizal symbioses in field conditions. Researchers will use shotgun sequencing, artificial intelligence, and microscopy to understand how plants control their associations with beneficial fungi.
Researchers investigate how genetics influence rumen microbiome in cattle, seeking to identify host genomic markers for heritability. The study aims to manipulate microbiomes to enhance agricultural production and develop more sustainable cow-calf systems.
A team led by Maggie Wagner will study how plants and microbes adapt to drought, focusing on genetic changes in microbial communities. The research aims to understand the impact of drought on plant growth, health, and ability to withstand water stress.
A new study charts a potential path for preserving and restoring historic works by identifying microbial communities on art. Researchers found that microbes on wood and canvas surfaces can produce chemicals influencing decay rates.
Researchers studied 45 female colobus monkeys in Ghana to understand the impact of social groupings and distance on their gut microbiomes. They found that individuals from different groups with closer social connections had more similar gut microbiomes, suggesting microbes can be transmitted during occasional encounters.
A new study identifies lactate, a molecule produced by a common gut microbe, as a key memory-boosting molecular messenger. The researchers found that mice fed specific probiotics experienced improved memory, with increased levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in their brains.
A team of international scientists has developed over 200 new genetic techniques for using marine microbes, overcoming a bottleneck in microbial oceanography. The tools enable researchers to study the cellular instructions that underpin microbial life and potentially harness beneficial applications.
Researchers have made significant progress in gene editing tools for ocean microbes, enabling functional studies of thousands of new genes. This breakthrough has the potential to improve our understanding of life's origins, biotechnology, medicine, and pharmacology.
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.
Researchers found a diverse community of microbes that efficiently recycle and store organic compounds to survive in hostile environments far beneath the ocean floor. The study reveals genetic material suggests many lower crust microbes rely on carbon from their surroundings to obtain energy.
Researchers at Princeton University have found a link between microbes and cancer in threatened Santa Catalina foxes, with ear mites and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius playing a key role. The study shows that a shift in the microbiome allows antibiotic-resistant infection to take hold, leading to chronic inflammation and tumor growth.
A recent study analyzing over 12,000 microbial genomes found that every cell is genetically unique, defying conventional species definitions. The Global Ocean Reference Genomes Tropics database provides insights into global distribution patterns and energy sources of ocean microbes.
A French-Spanish team of scientists has confirmed the absence of microbial life in Dallol's multi-extreme ponds. The researchers used various methods to detect and classify microorganisms, including massive sequencing of genetic markers and chemical analysis.
A software tool called MetaMiner has been developed to identify bioactive molecules and their producing microbial genes for therapeutic use. The tool speeds up the discovery process, identifying 31 known RiPPs and seven new ones in about two weeks.
Researchers found distinct shifts in fruit fly genomes after feeding them different bacteria, racking up significant genomic changes. The study suggests that microbial community composition drives part of how organisms evolve.
A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that genetics has a greater impact on the microbiome of mice than their maternal birth environment. The researchers tested two different inbred laboratory strains of mice and found that the offspring's microbiomes were similar regardless of which parent was black ...
Researchers observed increased methanogenesis genes at upper layers of warming permafrost, while carbohydrate metabolism genes were more abundant at shallower depths. This study provides insight into tundra microbial responses to experimental warming.
Researchers identified a core microbiome in common dairy cows, which dictates productivity and methane emissions. By manipulating this microbiome, scientists may develop more eco-friendly agriculture practices.
A new study from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has discovered distinct microbial communities surrounding Caribbean corals. The research found that different types of coral have unique microbial communities living near them, with some species showing enriched presence in the seawater closer to corals.
Researchers found that microorganisms can use arsenic as an electron acceptor to extract energy from food, a strategy thought to be a holdover from Earth's early history. The discovery opens up new avenues for studying organisms that thrive in low-oxygen environments.
Researchers identified genes encoding oxidoreductases as key attributes for characterizing global microbial communities. This approach provides a new diagnostic tool for assessing ecosystem services and developing management policies. The study sheds light on the critical role of microorganisms in planetary physiology.
Researchers discovered a group of deep-sea microbes called Hydrothermarchaeota that thrive in extreme environments and have never been cultivated. These microbes use an unusual metabolic process to obtain energy from carbon monoxide and sulfate, which could provide insights into the evolution of life on Earth.
Researchers discovered that tropical fish control their gut microbes to better survive extreme temperatures. The host's genetic background influences the microbiome's composition and response to temperature, with cold-resistant fish having a distinct core group of tolerant microbes.
Researchers analyzed DNA from kissing bugs to understand the complex interactions between humans, parasites, and microbes involved in Chagas disease. The study found two strains of Trypanosome cruzi and a higher bacterial species richness in infected insects.
A new study suggests that changing how microbes are classified can reveal clearer patterns of similarity between closely related mammals in terms of their gut microbiomes. The researchers propose an alternative approach to classification based on evolutionary history, which helps uncover meaningful units among microbes.
A University of Queensland-led study links microbial communities and biogeochemistry to rising greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost. The research, using sequencing techniques, identified new microorganisms involved in complex biochemical networks producing greenhouse gases.
Epimeron Inc. has isolated and characterized an enzyme from Ephedra sinica catalyzing a crucial step in ephedrine and pseudoephedrine production. The discovery paves the way for microbial fermentation-based production, offering a sustainable, secure, and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical processes.
A study identified 143 species-level taxa associated with plant genotype, regardless of environmental factors. This finding suggests heritable microbes could be selected for beneficial traits in plant breeding.
In a breakthrough study, microbes have been found to act like savvy investors when contributing to the common good. They adjust their investment strategy depending on how much they have at stake, maximizing returns in groups with mostly relatives and exploiting contributions in outnumbered groups.
Scientists have developed a new method to investigate the timing and co-evolution of microbial groups by analyzing horizontal gene transfer among ancient microbes. This breakthrough provides relative age constraints for several microbial groups without reliable fossil evidence, including the Archaea.
The study reveals that termites' gut microbiome is a complex factory producing sugars and proteins from wood and air, with up to 5000 different microbe species. Researchers discovered that microbes are shared across colonies, allowing termites to diversify their food source and achieve ecological dominance.
A new method assesses microbial community structure by quantifying protein abundance, revealing more about the role of microbes in animal and plant health, disease, and environmental processes. The technique was tested in various environments, including Rocky Mountain alkaline soda lakes and human saliva, with promising results.
Magdalena Osburn, a Northwestern University geobiologist, has been awarded a $875,000 Packard Fellowship to study 'microbial dark matter', or unknown microbes that have evaded cultivation in the lab. Her research will explore how these microorganisms interact with their environments and produce chemical signatures.
The CAMI challenge ranked metagenome interpretation tools to provide a roadmap for biologists. Biologists face challenges due to the high number of tools and limited accuracy assessments.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between host animals, their microbial community, and methane production in a study that won the PLOS Genetics Research Prize. The study found that certain microbial profiles can be used to recognize cattle that use feed more efficiently while emitting less methane.
A new study analyzes thousands of new measurements of microbial communities from various sites in the body, providing insights into how microbes work together to maintain human health. The research identifies differences unique to an individual's microbes and tracks them across the body over time.
A recent study has uncovered millions of previously unknown genes from microbial communities in the human gut, skin, mouth, and vaginal microbiome. The research triples the amount of data previously analyzed and provides new insights into the role these microbes play in human health and disease.
Researchers found that microbes associated with native species provide resistance to invasion, while those with invaders break down this resistance and may poison native plants. The study suggests a new way to restore the balance of microbial communities in sediments to reduce the risk of invasive marine species.