Articles tagged with Microbial Metabolism
A team of microbes in kefir works together to survive and thrive, each providing something another needs. The dominant Lactobacillus bacteria feed on each other's metabolites to create a complex and cooperative community.
Scientists at Southwest Research Institute modeled chemical processes in Enceladus' subsurface ocean, indicating the possibility of a diverse microbial community. The study found that oxidant production and oxidation chemistry could contribute to supporting possible life on Enceladus.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that consuming avocados as part of a daily meal increased beneficial bacteria and improved gut health in adults with overweight or obesity. The research also showed that avocado consumption reduced bile acids and increased short-chain fatty acids, leading to positive health outcomes.
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.
Researchers aim to explore the link between gut microbes and metabolites in childhood celiac disease pathogenesis. The study will analyze pediatric celiac disease samples and compare them to healthy matched controls, shedding light on environmental triggers of the chronic disease.
Researchers at KAUST developed semiconductive photocatalysts that efficiently absorb solar energy, reducing the energy required for a bioelectrochemical process to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals. The technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions while generating useful products.
A review highlights the potential of treating space travelers with treatments targeting the gut microbiome to protect against negative health effects. Promoting a healthy gut microbiome may be key to reaching Mars in one piece.
Chinese scientists introduce FlowRACS, a flow-mode Raman-activated cell sorter, to support high-throughput discovery of enzymes and their cell factories at the precision of just one microbial cell. The instrument can screen yeast for its TAG content and profile in real-time.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that bed bug infestations alter the indoor microbial diversity in homes, with the presence of Wolbachia bacterium being a key driver. After eliminating bed bugs, home microbiomes gradually shifted toward those of uninfested homes.
A team of researchers has discovered a species of gut bacteria that can affect cholesterol levels in humans. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics, such as probiotics or enzyme delivery to the gut, to help people manage their blood cholesterol levels.
A new thermodynamic model predicts the minimum energy requirements for microbial communities to live, providing evidence that experimental data can be used to estimate energy requirements of microbial pathways. The study also introduces a generalisable platform for modelling biochemical conversions mediated by microbes.
A Ludwig Cancer Research study discovered that a gut microbiome metabolite, isoDCA, enhances the generation of regulatory T cells in the colon. This boost helps suppress chronic intestinal inflammation, a major driver of colorectal cancers.
Researchers found that gastric bypass surgery alters both fecal and mucosal microbiomes, leading to improved metabolic outcomes. The study suggests manipulating the gut microbiome could be a potential alternative to surgery for sustained weight loss.
Soil microbes convert ammonium to nitrates using oxygen and diverse processes, making nutrients available to plants. The study highlights the importance of understanding microbial roles in the soil nitrogen cycle, which can inform efficient fertilizer use and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
A mother's gut microbiota can influence her offspring's energy homeostasis and metabolism. Research using mouse models suggests that targeting the maternal microbiota could be a preemptive strategy to protect against metabolic diseases.
Researchers developed a new strategy to control both target chemical production and microbe propagation, boosting muconic acid yield. The Parallel Metabolic Pathway Engineering approach allows for independent utilization of sugars for microbe growth and target chemical production.
A new computational model suggests that the human gut microbiome follows a four-level food web, with energy flowing from microbes that consume nutrients in food eaten by humans, to those that eat nutrients produced by these microbes. The model predicts systematic changes in species composition along the length of the gut.
A new study finds that a high-fat, high-sugar diet alters the intestinal endocannabinoid system and changes the gut microbiome, with potential interactions between specific bacterial genera and eCB activity observed. These findings could help develop better nutritional strategies to prevent or treat metabolic complications.
Researchers develop method to induce bacteria to switch between pathways at different times, optimizing production without human intervention. This approach boosts microbial yields by up to tenfold for two different products.
Researchers led by Dr. Stanley Hazen will explore how gut microbes convert digested nutrients into chemical signals, affecting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The team aims to identify specific microbial pathways linked to atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and obesity.
A team of microbiologists developed CRAGE to study and produce secondary metabolites, compounds produced by microbes for internal and external messaging. The technique allows scientists to access these compounds more readily than before, filling significant gaps in our understanding of microbial interactions.
A new study reveals that cooking food fundamentally alters the microbiomes of both mice and humans. Cooking raw foods can harm certain microbes, while cooked foods may be more calorie-dense, affecting gut bacteria. In a human trial, participants showed significant changes in their microbiome after switching between raw and cooked diets.
Researchers found particular components of dietary fiber that encourage growth and metabolic action of beneficial microbes in the mouse gut. By identifying these compounds, they aim to develop sustainable and affordable dietary fiber sources for next-generation food products.
Research found that mice with gut microbes had stronger skeletal muscles and improved energy production compared to germ-free mice. Transplanting gut microbes partially restored muscle function in germline mice, opening new avenues for interventions targeting age-related skeletal muscle loss.
Researchers have discovered complex social behaviors in kombucha microbes, which could provide clues for understanding cooperation in human societies. By studying the interactions between different species in kombucha, scientists hope to develop new antimicrobial products and interventions for bettering human health.
A gene in mice affects both bacterial populations and bile acid levels, revealing novel interactions between microbes and metabolites. The research integrates genetic mapping with metabolomic data, providing insights into the complex factors shaping microbial communities.
Researchers discovered microbes thriving on centuries-old organic matter in sediments, using peptidases to degrade low-quality food. This finding has implications for biomedical applications and understanding of subsurface microbial communities.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland reveals that rye's bioactive compounds are processed by both gut microbiomes and lactic acid bacteria, leading to improved insulin metabolism and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. The study used metabolomics to analyze compounds found in rye and its effects on human health.
Research found that maternal microbes can impair the gut barrier during pregnancy, leading to increased inflammatory markers and altered placental development. A high-fat diet exacerbated these effects, impacting fetal intestinal development and potentially affecting metabolism after birth.
A new diagnostic classification technique enables stratification of pediatric patients with IBS, allowing for tailored nutritional and targeted therapies. Researchers identified correlations between certain microbes and metabolites with abdominal pain, providing insights into novel treatment approaches.
The study reveals that dietary phytoestrogens are metabolized by the gut microbiota of southern white rhinoceroses, leading to infertility. The researchers also found species differences in estrogen receptor sensitivity to phytoestrogen metabolites.
A NSF-sponsored project led by Colorado State University researcher Mike Wilkins aims to understand how microbes drive ecosystem functions in deep, dark crevices. The study focuses on methylamine metabolism, a critical process for microbial life in fractured shales and other environments.
Researchers mapped gut microbes of colorectal cancer patients to identify disease-specific changes globally robust despite environmental differences. The study establishes a panel of gut microbes associated with colorectal cancer and shows potential for non-invasive cancer screening.
A new study by ELSI researchers suggests life thrived on Earth 3.5 billion years ago, based on analysis of ancient sulfur isotope ratios. The findings provide new insights into microbial metabolism and its impact on the geochemical record.
Researchers found that burying beetles use their gut symbionts to transform decaying carcasses into nutritious nurseries for their young, promoting larval growth and development. The symbionts suppress the growth of microbial pathogens and toxic substances, allowing the larvae to thrive.
Researchers at the University of Delaware will study clostridium bacteria for biofuel production, aiming to create sustainable energy from renewable resources. The project seeks to demonstrate that using multiple complementary microorganisms can improve process yields and create valuable chemicals.
The BCG vaccine, used to prevent tuberculosis, can reduce blood sugar levels in people with advanced type 1 diabetes by mimicking microbial exposures. The vaccine appears to reset abnormal metabolic functions, boosting the immune system to consume sugar and reduce blood glucose levels over time.
Researchers at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology aim to understand the design principles behind microbial community division of labor. They plan to use these principles to engineer microbial communities to produce chemicals through metabolic engineering.
A $200,000 Pew grant will support research into how dietary nutrients affect gut microbes and glucose sensing in zebrafish. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind this interaction and identify new strategies to combat disorders like diabetes and obesity.
Researchers identified a key metabolic pathway allowing microbes to maintain osmotic balance, produce energy, and obtain carbon and nitrogen. Microbial metabolism significantly influences compound concentrations in shale-derived fluids.
Researchers developed a new method to identify microbe food sources using carbon stable isotope ratios, providing insights into microbial communities and their impact on animal and plant health. The technique uses mass spectrometry and software to link microbes with substrates, enabling the study of complex microbial relationships.
A recent study by King's College London has identified the processes in the gut that drive fat build-up around the waist. The research found that environmental factors such as diet have a major impact on gut activity and fat distribution, with less than a fifth of processes attributed to genetic factors.
Researchers found distinct MAIT cell populations in human intestinal mucosa, influenced by bacterial metabolites. These cells can modulate local inflammation and tissue healing in the gut.
A study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that consuming walnuts increases beneficial microbes that produce butyrate, a compound supporting colonic health. Walnut consumption also reduced LDL-cholesterol levels and secondary bile acids, potentially reducing colorectal cancer risk.
Researchers found that the microbes surrounding plant roots prefer a diet rich in organic acids, with sugars being preferred early in the growth cycle. This discovery could help scientists identify ways to enhance soil microbiome for improved carbon storage and plant productivity.
A high-fiber diet can alleviate symptoms of type 2 diabetes by promoting a specific group of gut bacteria, according to researchers. The study found that patients under a high-fiber diet had greatly reduced blood sugar and body weight compared to those on standard care.
Researchers have discovered an active microbial community in the Atacama Desert's most arid zones, which becomes metabolically active following periodic moisture increases. The findings have implications for the search for life on Mars, suggesting that past conditions may have supported life that could endure hyper-arid environments.
Researchers studied native biocrusts, discovering that specific compounds are transformed by and strongly associated with specific bacteria. The study links microbial community structure to soil chemistry, shedding light on the roles of soil microbes in the global carbon cycle.
A new tool advances understanding of ocean chemistry and suggests that microbial metabolisms shape the ocean's balance. The model simulates impact on North Atlantic chemistry and predicts genes and transcription throughout the ocean.
Researchers discovered a diverse microbial ecosystem at Laguna La Brava, with Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota groups dominating the environment. The absence of cyanobacteria led the authors to suggest alternative microorganisms precipitating minerals in these extreme conditions.
Researchers identify three paradoxical dynamics: the curse of increased efficiency, where less efficient microbes thrive; and the curse of decreased inefficiency, leading to slower population growth. The study highlights complexities in engineered microbial communities and microbiomes, challenging assumptions about optimal strategies.
Researchers have discovered that a specific microbe can oxidize and metabolize metals from synthetic Martian regolith simulants, leaving behind unique signatures. This finding could enable the extraction of metals from asteroids and other celestial bodies using biological methods.
Montana State researchers are studying the role of the human gut microbiome in detoxifying arsenic after ingestion. They aim to understand how microorganisms metabolize arsenic and potentially lower cancer risk through this process.
Researchers propose a new approach to understanding soil organic matter's response to climate change and atmospheric chemistry. Soil microbes contribute significantly to stable carbon pools through catabolic and anabolic activities, which could lead to improved soil stabilization and renewal strategies.
A recent study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Federico Rey group found that high levels of microbes consuming choline lead to nutrient deprivation in mice. The results showed increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases, altered epigenetic patterns, and changes in behavior in the offspring.
UC Davis Health researchers found that dietary fiber acts as the right fuel to help intestinal cells maintain gut health. The beneficial microbes metabolize indigestible fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids, signaling cells to maximize oxygen consumption and limit harmful microbes.
Researchers have developed a new tool to accurately identify enzymes present in microbiomes and quantify their relative abundances. This breakthrough may uncover novel chemistry in the gut microbiome and provide insights into its impact on human health.
An international team of researchers has spatially mapped molecules produced by an intact, complex microbial community for the first time. They used imaging mass spectrometry to track and plot metabolites made by both bacterial and fungal lichen members.
A study found that gut microbes exacerbate motor symptoms in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, but antibiotic treatment and germ-free environments reduced motor deficits. The research could lead to new treatments for the neurodegenerative disease.
A research team at the University of Luxembourg has developed a computer model of the human gut microbiome, capturing the metabolic processes of 773 bacterial strains. The model, called AGORA, can simulate metabolic processes and investigate how they affect other microbes and the human host.