Comparison of swab types for collection and analysis of microorganisms
The human microbiome is an emerging tool for forensic investigations, but its use could be hindered by improper collection at crime scenes. Here, we show that flocked swabs outperform cotton, dissolvable, and dental applicators in their ability to collect and releaseProteus mirabilis DNA for analysis. Therefore, the ubiquitous use of cotton swabs for biological sample collection should be re-evaluated. AbstractThe human microbiome has begun to emerge as a potential forensic tool, with varied applications ranging from unique identification to investigative leads that link individuals and/or locations. The relative abundance...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - November 15, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Natalie M. Wise,
Sarah J. Wagner,
Travis J. Worst,
Jon E. Sprague,
Crystal M. Oechsle Tags: COMMENTARY Source Type: research
Production of both l ‐ and d‐ N‐acyl‐homoserine lactones by Burkholderia cepacia and Vibrio fischeri
Production ofd,l-N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) byBurkholderia cepacia andVibrio fischeri was monitored over time, with significant amounts ofd-AHLs detected. Quorum sensing (QS) ofV. fischeri was observed with maximum bioluminescence correlating with the maximum concentrations of bothl- andd- octanoyl-homoserine lactones (l- andd-OHL). AbstractQuorum sensing (QS) is a complex process in which molecules, such asl-N-acyl-homoserine lactones (l-AHLs), are produced as essential signaling molecules allowing bacteria to detect and respond to cell population density by gene regulation. Few studies have considered the natural ...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - November 15, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Abiud E. Portillo,
Elizabeth Readel,
Daniel W. Armstrong Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Issue Information
(Source: MicrobiologyOpen)
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - November 15, 2021 Category: Microbiology Tags: Issue Information Source Type: research
ON ?rep?seq as a rapid and cost?effective alternative to whole?genome sequencing for species?level identification and strain?level discrimination of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in a salmon processing plant
This study is essentially a real industry case from a salmon processing plant. TwentyListeria monocytogenes isolates were analyzed both by ON-rep-seq and WGS to identify and differentiate putativeL.monocytogenes from a routine sampling of processing equipment and products, and finally, compare the strain-level discriminatory power of ON-rep-seq to different analyzing levels delivered from the WGS data. The analyses revealed that among the isolates tested there were three different strains. The isolates of the most frequently detected strain (n = 15) were all detected in the problematic area in the processing plant. The str...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - November 15, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gunn Merethe Bj rge Thomassen,
Lukasz Krych,
Susanne Knchel,
Lisbeth Mehli Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Production of both l ? and d? N?acyl?homoserine lactones by Burkholderia cepacia and Vibrio fischeri
Production ofd,l-N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) byBurkholderia cepacia andVibrio fischeri was monitored over time, with significant amounts ofd-AHLs detected. Quorum sensing (QS) ofV. fischeri was observed with maximum bioluminescence correlating with the maximum concentrations of bothl- andd- octanoyl-homoserine lactones (l- andd-OHL). AbstractQuorum sensing (QS) is a complex process in which molecules, such asl-N-acyl-homoserine lactones (l-AHLs), are produced as essential signaling molecules allowing bacteria to detect and respond to cell population density by gene regulation. Few studies have considered the natural ...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - November 15, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Abiud E. Portillo,
Elizabeth Readel,
Daniel W. Armstrong Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Characterization of promoters in archaeal genomes based on DNA structural parameters
This study poses a novel method for promoter sequence location in putative regulators of archaea. AbstractThe transcription machinery of archaea can be roughly classified as a simplified version of eukaryotic organisms. The basal transcription factor machinery binds to the TATA box found around 28 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site; however, some transcription units lack a clear TATA box and still have TBP/TFB binding over them. This apparent absence of conserved sequences could be a consequence of sequence divergence associated with the upstream region, operon, and gene organization. Furthermore, earlier...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 29, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez,
Sharmilee Sarkar,
Aditya Kumar,
Ernesto P érez‐Rueda,
Scheila de Avila e Silva Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Characterization of endogenous promoters of GapC1 and GS for recombinant protein expression in Phaeodactylum tricornutum
The endogenous promoter of glutamine synthetase (GS) strongly drove green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression during all growth phases of the diatomPhaeodactylum tricornutum and under multiple growth conditions, including nitrogen starvation and increased light intensity. These results indicate that the GS promoter could be utilized as a strong promoter for the genetic engineering of P. tricornutum. AbstractAlthough diatoms have been utilized as a cellular factory to produce biopharmaceuticals, recombinant proteins, and biofuels, only a few numbers of gene promoters are available. Therefore, the development of novel endog...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 28, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Erdenedolgor Erdene ‐Ochir,
Bok‐Kyu Shin,
Md Nazmul Huda,
Eun Ha Lee,
Dae‐Geun Song,
Choonkyun Jung,
Cheol‐Ho Pan Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Attachment on mortar surfaces by cyanobacterium Gloeocapsa PCC 73106 and sequestration of CO2 by microbially induced calcium carbonate
This study investigates the cell coverage on mortar and microbially induced carbonate precipitation. Statistical analysis of results from scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy shows that the cell coverage was higher in the presence of UV-killed cells than living cells. Cells are preferably attached to cement paste than sand grains, with a difference of one order of magnitude. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses and Raman mapping suggest cyanobacteria used atmospheric CO2 to precipitate carbonates. (Source: MicrobiologyOpen)
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 19, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Tingting Zhu,
Mohamed L. Merroun,
George Arhonditsis,
Maria Dittrich Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Characterization of the genetic switch from phage ɸ13 important for Staphylococcus aureus colonization in humans
Bacteriophage ɸ13 belongs to a group of phages that carries virulence factors and colonizes human strains ofStaphylococcus aureus. Knowledge about the mechanism behind the genetic switch that decides between lysogeny (prophage integration) or lysis (bacterial killing) is important for combatingS. aureus infection. Using the switch region from ɸ13, we have created reporter plasmids that mimic the decision phase and can detect prophage-inducing conditions. AbstractTemperate phages are bacterial viruses that after infection either reside integrated into a bacterial genome as prophages forming lysogens or multiply in a lyt...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 14, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Camilla S. Kristensen,
Anders K. Varming,
Helena A. K. Leinweber,
Karin Hammer,
Leila Lo Leggio,
Hanne Ingmer,
Mogens Kilstrup Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Expression of degQ gene and its effect on lipopeptide production as well as formation of secretory proteases in Bacillus subtilis strains
The lipopeptide-producingBacillus subtilis strains JABs24 and DSM10T differ by one single base substitution in thedegQ promoter region, resulting in drastically reduceddegQ expression in JABs24. Subsequent deletion of thedegQ gene in DSM10T or integration of a natively expresseddegQ version in JABs24 revealed, among others, the differential effects of DegQ on the formation of the lipopeptides surfactin and plipastatin. Additional effects on the formation of secretory proteases do not seem to have any influence on lipopeptide stability. AbstractBacillus subtilis is described as a promising production strain for lipopeptides...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 14, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Lars Lilge,
Maliheh Vahidinasab,
Isabel Adiek,
Philipp Becker,
Chanthiya Kuppusamy Nesamani,
Chantal Treinen,
Mareen Hoffmann,
Kambiz Morabbi Heravi,
Marius Henkel,
Rudolf Hausmann Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Identification and characterization of the cell division protein MapZ from Streptococcus suis
This study aimed to identify the function of the corresponding gene product. Bioinformatics analysis and homology modeling revealed sequence and structural homologies with theStreptococcus pneumoniae mid-cell-anchored protein Z (MapZ) that is involved in cell division in different bacterial species. Indeed, depletion of this locus inS. suis strain 10 revealed a growth defect as compared to the wild type. Electron microscopy analysis of the corresponding mutant demonstrated morphological growth defects as compared to the wild-type strain, including an irregular cell shape and size as well as mispositioned division septa. ...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 12, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Muriel Dresen,
Manfred Rohde,
Jes ús Arenas,
Astrid Greeff,
Andreas Nerlich,
Peter Valentin‐Weigand Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
A hunt for OM45 synthetic petite interactions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals a role for Miro GTPase Gem1p in cristae structure maintenance
A screen for mutations inSaccharomyces cerevisiae that are synthetically respiratory deficient with a deletion of theOM45 gene (encoding a major yeast mitochondrial outer membrane protein), led to the isolation of mutations inUGO1 andGEM1. Our results indicate the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) as the location of action of Om45 and the Miro GTPase Gem1, and a role for these proteins in the maintenance of IMM morphology and mitochondrial DNA. (A) WT state; (B) TheΔom45 strain has no detectable phenotype; (C) TheΔom45Δgem1 synthetic petite (SPM) strain is respiratory deficient, displays severely disturbed IMM morpholo...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 9, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Antonina Shvetsova,
Ali J. Masud,
Laura Schneider,
Ulrich Bergmann,
Geoffray Monteuuis,
Ilkka J. Miinalainen,
J. Kalervo Hiltunen,
Alexander J. Kastaniotis Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Identifying the best regimen for primary eradication of Helicobacter pylori: analysis of 240 cases
(Source: MicrobiologyOpen)
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 8, 2021 Category: Microbiology Tags: CORRIGENDUM Source Type: research
Polyunsaturated fatty acids cause physiological and behavioral changes in Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio fischeri
Bacterial utilization of fatty acids continues to evolve as a practical strategy for environmental adaptation, providing energy currency, ingredients for membrane construction, and cues for behavioral modification. Here, we add two members of the familyVibrionaceae,Vibrio alginolyticus andAliivibrio fischeri, that scavenge a variety of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), as evidenced by incorporation into membrane phospholipids and orchestration of phenotypic responses associated with growth, motility, and biofilm formation. Our findings highlight the differential exploitation of PUFAs by two related genera occupying dist...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 7, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: David S. Smith,
Carina Houck,
Allycia Lee,
Timothy B. Simmons,
Olivia N. Chester,
Ayanna Esdaile,
Steven J. K. Symes,
David K. Giles Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Effect of the skincare product on facial skin microbial structure and biophysical parameters: A pilot study
This study aimed to determine the bacterial community structure and skin biophysical parameters following the daily application of a skincare product on the face. Twenty-five Korean women, who used the same skincare product for four weeks participated in the study. During this period, skin hydration, texture, sebum content, and pH were measured, and skin swab samples were collected on the cheeks. The microbiota was analyzed using the MiSeq system. Through these experiments, bacterial diversity in facial skin increased and the microbial community changed after four weeks of skincare product application. The relative abundan...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - October 7, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Bo Kyoung Hwang,
Sado Lee,
Joonoh Myoung,
Seung Jin Hwang,
Jun Man Lim,
Eui Taek Jeong,
Sun Gyoo Park,
Sung Hun Youn Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research