Latest Articles
Evolutionary and Genomic MicrobiologyPotential Enterotoxicity of Phylogenetically Diverse Bacillus cereus Sensu Lato Soil Isolates from Different Geographical LocationsThis research offers a new route for a wider understanding of the dependency between pathogenicity and phylogeny of a natural bacterial population, specifically within Bacillus cereus sensu lato, that is widely distributed around the world and easily transferred into food products. Our study indicates differences in the phylogenetic and geographical distributions of...
Microbial Ecology | SpotlightSynergistic Cues from Diverse Bacteria Enhance Multicellular Development in a ChoanoflagellateEukaryotic biology is profoundly influenced by interactions with diverse environmental and host-associated bacteria. However, it is not well understood how eukaryotes interpret multiple bacterial cues encountered simultaneously. This question has been challenging to address because of the complexity of many eukaryotic model systems and their associated bacterial communities. Here, we studied a close relative of animals, the...
Environmental MicrobiologyGenomic Landscape of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in Commercial Turkey Production in the United StatesThe whole-genome approach enhances our understanding of evolutionary relationships between clinical Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale isolates from different commercial turkey producers and allows for identification of genes associated with virulence, antimicrobial resistance, or mobile genetic elements that are often excluded using traditional typing methods....
Plant MicrobiologyDeciphering the Root Endosphere Microbiome of the Desert Plant Alhagi sparsifolia for Drought Resistance-Promoting BacteriaUnderstanding microbe-mediated plant resistance to drought is important for sustainable agriculture. We performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and culture-dependent functional analyses of Alhagi sparsifolia rhizosphere and root endosphere microbiomes and identified key endophytic bacterial taxa and their genes facilitating drought resistance in wheat. This study...
Plant MicrobiologyThe Dynamin-Like GTPase FgSey1 Plays a Critical Role in Fungal Development and Virulence in Fusarium graminearumFusarium graminearum is a major plant pathogen that causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheats worldwide. In addition to reducing the plant yield, F. graminearum infection of wheats also results in the production of deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxins, which are harmful to humans and animals...
Genetics and Molecular BiologyA Disjointed Pathway for Malonate Degradation by Rhodopseudomonas palustrisThere is interest in understanding how bacteria metabolize malonate because this three-carbon dicarboxylic acid can serve as a building block in bioengineering applications to generate useful compounds that have an odd number of carbons. We found that the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris grows extremely slowly on malonate. We identified two enzymes...
Biodegradation | SpotlightAn Aerobic Hybrid Phthalate Degradation Pathway via Phthaloyl-Coenzyme A in Denitrifying BacteriaPhthalic acid esters (PAEs) are industrially produced on a million-ton scale per year and are predominantly used as plasticizers. They are classified as environmentally relevant xenobiotics with a number of adverse health effects, including endocrine-disrupting activity. Biodegradation by microorganisms is considered the most effective process to eliminate PAEs from the environment. It is usually initiated by the hydrolysis of PAEs to...
BiotechnologyTwo-Stage Continuous Conversion of Carbon Monoxide to Ethylene by Whole Cells of Azotobacter vinelandiiEthylene is an essential commodity feedstock used for the generation of a variety of consumer products, but its generation demands energy-intensive processes and is dependent on nonrenewable substrates. This work describes a continuous biological method for investigating the nitrogenase-mediated carbon monoxide reductive coupling involved in ethylene production using whole cells of...
Food MicrobiologyEngineered Reporter Phages for Rapid Bioluminescence-Based Detection and Differentiation of Viable Listeria CellsCulture-dependent methods are the gold standard for sensitive and specific detection of pathogenic bacteria within the food production chain. In contrast to molecular approaches, these methods detect viable cells, which is a key advantage for foods generated from heat-inactivated source material. However, culture-based diagnostics are typically much slower than molecular or proteomic strategies. Reporter phage assays combine the best of...
