The Fungus Hoarder

By: Priscilla Carlo

Corbis Images.
Dysprosium rare metal element that is mainly used for clean energy materials.  

Dysprosium (Dy) is a highly valued and rare industrial metal, mainly used in wind turbines, cell phones, and clean energy materials. A newly identified fungal species, Penidiella sp. T9, enjoys hoarding rare metals as it grows. This fungal species, which was isolated from an abandoned mine, also hoards praseodymium, neodymium, terbium, and europium. Scientists tested this by placing the isolate in medium that contained 53 mg/L Dy to 100 mg/L of Dy, after 3 days of cultivation at pH 2.5, there was a significant decrease in the concentration. By observing the microorganisms through an electron microscope, scientist found that the fungus was accumulating the metals in its cells' surface.

The most interesting fact about this fungus is that it doesn't actually utilize these metals for growth, and the purpose of hoarding them is still unknown!



Citation: Somera AF, Lima AM, dos Santos-Neto ÁJ, Lanças FM, Bacci M, Jr. 2015. Leaf-cutter ant fungus gardens are biphasic mixed microbial bioreactors that convert plant biomass to polyols with biotechnological applications. Appl Environ Microbiol 81:4525–4535. doi:10.1128/AEM.00046-15.

Hope for amphibians: emergent anti-fungal produced as by-product of bacterial competition!

By Alan Garcia

Beneficial skin bacteria in amphibians produce secondary metabolites that can inhibit the fungal pathogen  Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Outbreaks of this fungus are thought to be responsible for the large worldwide decline of amphibians. The metabolites are thought to be a by-product of competition between skin bacterial species. To shed some light on this a group of researchers collected the cell free supernatant from bacterial cells collected from red-backed salamanders.  Three different trials were done and tested for inhibition. The first trial contained single isolates, the second contained two combined isolates, and the third co-cultures.  It was found that when bacteria are co-cultured they were a lot more inhibiting and only on this scenario emergent metabolites were produced.  Metabolite tryptophol, the most active emergent metabolite against Bd was found and identified. This potent emergent metabolites may aid in  the development of a combination of probiotics that work as an effective anti-fungal to diminish this detrimental disease wiping out the world's amphibian populations!

SEM micrograph of zoospore and sporangia of chytrid fungus (left), Image of red-back salamander (Plethodon cinereus)(right).

Left image by CSIRO via Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chytridiomycota, right image by environmental education for kids via dnr.wi.gov http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/critter/amphibian/redback.htm.

Loudon AH, Holland JA, Umile TP, Burzynski EA, Minbole KPC, Harris RN, (2014). Interactions between amphibians' symbiotic bacteria cause the production of emergent anti-fungal metabolites, front microbiol 5: 441

Wednesday December 16, 2015

Fighting Bacteria With Bacteria

-by Kyle Kippenbrock

Dramatization of bacterial competition.  photo credit http://punnett.blogspot.com/2015/02/bacteria-can-remember-viruses.html

There are times when battling a advacary for so long, that many people have taken the rout of "If you can't beat'em, join'em".  This has recently become the case in the fight against bacterial infections, specifically ones contracted throught the nasal passages.  Dr Tadayuki Iwase of the bacteriology department of Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan has identified just how this process is already taking place, and more importantly, how to exploit the benifical results.

Iwase and his team have isolated the protein Esp, also known as S. epidermidis serine protase, that is excreted by the bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis.  The breakthrough came when the team was studying a relative of the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, which isn't dangerous in small quantities, but can become very dangerous if it is allowed to populate in large quantities. 
The team found that the protein Esp was inhibiting the growth of biofilms around Staphlococcus aureus colonies, preventing them from accumulating numbers that can pose threats.

The application of this protein has amazing potential.  You could soon be swabing your nose with bacterial laced q-tips to battle your next cold.

Original article:  Staphylococcus epidermidis Esp inhibits Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and nasal colonization Nature Volume:465,Pages:346–349 Date published:(20 May 2010)

Myxozoans: The Microscopic, Parasitic...Jellyfish.

By Nathan Campos

When it comes to creatures of the deep blue sea, jellyfish (Cnidarians) have probably never been held in high regards by any species of animal.  According to new research by the University of Kansas, jellyfish are about to be much more hated.  Gene-sequencing conducted by the researchers on myxozoans, microscopic parasites that are capable of infecting both vertebrates and invertebrates, uncovered that the organisms are actually a form of “highly reduced” Cnidarians.  Comprised of only a few cells measuring 10 to 20 microns each, myxozoans have one of the smallest animal genomes on record.  While an average Cnidarian has over 300 million base pairs, myxozoans have approximately 20 million base pairs.  While myxozoans are a microscopic, extremely biodegraded species of macroscopic jellyfish, they still retained the nematocyst (stinger) of a jellyfish, along with the genes required to produce it.  Oddly enough, a group of genes that are vital in animal development, Hox genes, are absent from their genome.  The findings of the study may prove to be valuable in the commercial fishing industry- myxozoans infect fish and disrupt the aquaculture of commercial fishing spots.  With a better genetic understanding of myxozoans, the possibilities of finding solutions to infection outbreaks are highly increased.   

(Credit: Left Photo: A. Diamant.  Right Photo: P. Cartwright)  The images above are a visual comparison of myxozoans (Kudoa iwatai, left photo) and a full-sized jellyfish (Aurelia aurita, right photo).

E. Sally Chang, et al. Genomic insights into the evolutionary origin of Myxozoa within Cnidaria. PNAS, November 16, 2015 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1511468112

Human Health Impacted by Soil Diversity

By: Ericka Serna

From (Wall, D.H. et al 2015). This figure shows how land use and management affect soil biodiversity and the impact it has on human health. 

Soil biodiversity not only provides disease control, but it also influences the quantity and quality of food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. These provisions are impacted by how we utilize soils as a resource. The alteration of soils results in loss of biodiversity, as well as possible sources of antibiotics and medicines. Better soil management will maintain soil biodiversity, which can then be used as a resource to sustain or improve human health. Several ways to improve soil management include include soil food-web complexity and agroecological practices that will enhance soil organic matter content and soil biodiversity. Further studies in soil biodiversity conservation should be made due to the impact it has on human health worldwide.

Wall DH, Nielsen UN, Six Johan. (2015) Soil biodiversity and human health. Nature. 528: 69-76.

Living Life in the Extreme

(From: Clynne MA,et al., 2003. USGS). Fumarole in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Fumaroles are also known as geothermal vents where volcanic gas is discharged.

By: Ashley Garcia 

Extreme environments fascinate scientists not only because of their nature but the organisms that are able to survive in them. As a result, there have been numerous studies examining the adaptations of these microorganisms to live in such ecosystems. Benson et al., analyzed the microbial diversity in several geothermal steam vents (fumaroles) through the development of novel DNA isolation techniques and x-ray microanalysis. Samples were collected from nonsulfur, sulfur, and iron steam vents from national parks in Hawaii, Yellowstone National Park, and California. Although difficult, sequence identification found Sulfolobus and Acidianus, including previously un-sequenced Crenarchaeota. This data was the first to confirm the presence of Archaea in steam deposits and demonstrated the diverse microbial communities present. This data further illustrates that there are no better creatures suited for extreme environments than the unseen microorganisms.

Benson CA, Bizzoco RW, Lipson DA, Kelley ST. (2011). Microbial diversity in nonsulfur, sulfur, and iron steam vents. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 76:74-88. 

The last thing we need is for this situation to blow-up!

By: Elester Williams

TNT is a commonly known and widely used explosive. However, what you might not know is that TNT is toxic in small concentrations and can contaminate both soil and water. In fact, there is evidence suggesting TNT may be a human carcinogen. Traditionally, decontamination involves blowing up affected soil. However, researchers have been looking into using white-rot fungi to break down  2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) instead. The fungi studied in Anasonye et al. (2015) were Gymnopilus luteofolius, Kuehneromyces mutabilis, and Phanerochaete velutina. TNT (1000 mg/kg) was experimentally added to soil and the researchers discovered that Phanerochaete velutina had the highest degradation rate (80%) out of the three fungi tested. The ability to breakdown TNT was attributed to the reactive oxidoreductase manganese peroxidase.  Maybe we should think twice before we blow-up TNT contaminated soil, there might be a less dramatic solution.  

From (Anasonye et al., 2015). TNT breakdown by Phanerochaete velutina and CO2 concentration in the outlet air over a 107 day period. The fungus was inoculated in TNT contaminated soil diluted with composted waste (1:20 ratio).

Original article: Anasonye F, Winquist E, Räsänen M, Kontro J, Björklöf K, Vasilyeva G et al (2015). Bioremediation of TNT contaminated soil with fungi under laboratory and pilot scale conditions. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 105: 7-12.

The Influence of Space on Microbial Diversity

By: Ashley Garcia

Figure 1. Phylogenetic diversity in air samples of three different environmental settings of a health care facility: indoor room with mechanical ventilation, indoor room with natural window ventilation, and an outdoor setting. 

When an individual walks into a building, whether it be an office or one’s home, we often fail to recognize the microbial environment that is undoubtedly thriving before us (Kembel et al., 2012).  These microorganisms often influence the health of the built environment including its occupants. A study carried out by Kembel et al., analyzed the differences in microbial diversity based on distinct attributes of air ventilation in a health care facility.  The researchers sampled air from three environments of the health care facility: the outdoors, a room with a ventilation system, and a room with natural ventilation (window). Samples were then quantified and sequenced to reveal taxonomic diversity and abundance of microorganisms between the three. Pathogens were found to be greater in indoor rooms with limited airflow suggesting the need for adequate ventilation systems. In terms of taxonomic diversity and abundance: the most diverse were the outdoor samples, the lowest was the indoor “mechanical” (ventilated) space, and the room with natural ventilation fell somewhere in the middle (Figure 1). This data demonstrates the importance of understanding our built environment on microbial diversity and how other factors lend to this such as temperature and relative humidity.

Original Article:
Kembel SW, Jones E, Kline J, Northcutt D, Stenson J, Womack AM, Bohannan BJM, Brown GZ, and Green JL (2012). Architectural design influences the diversity and structure of the built environment microbiome. ISME Journal 6:1469-1479.

A plant hormone helps to fight Banana wilt disease!

By Jungmi Choi

One of many ways to suppress banana wilt disease (Fusarium - fungal soil pathogen) is to apply salicylic acid (SA - plant hormone).  Acid levels are positively correlated with a much lesser degree of corm discoloration. SA plays a defensive role against the pathogen (Fusarium).  The mechanism is the upstream signal pathway of SA being activated to suppress the pathogen.  Wang et al. found significant increases in SA in resistant cultivars treated with the pathogen.  Also, exogenous SA application increases endogenous SA levels by inducing gene expression to increase defense against the disease.  Increased gene expression of SA levels and SA biosynthesis will provide resistance against the pathogen.

 

(From Wang et al., 2015) The banana plantlet inoculated with the pathogen (Fusarium) and salicylic acid (SA) showed much less corm discoloration compared to the plantlet inoculated with the Fusarium only.  Also, the plantlet treated with SA+ Foc TR4 showed no visible discoloration of the leaves compared to the control.

Article from;

Wang, Z., Jia, C.H., Li, J.Y., Huang, S.Z., Xu, B.Y., and Jin, Z.Q. (2015) Activation of salicyclic acid metabolism and signal transduction can enhance resistance to Fusarium wilt in banana (Musa acuminata L. AAA group, cv. Cavendish). Funct Integr Genomics. 15, 47-62.

 

 

Finding wild cultivars to fight Banana wilt disease!

By Jungmi  Choi

Banana production has suffered from fungal soil-pathogen disease (Fusarium Oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 [Foc-TR4]).  There have been many attempts to eradicate the disease and finding wild cultivars resistant to the disease is one of them.  Li et al., used eight genotypes of wild banana cultivars to test resistance to the disease in greenhouses and in wild fields.  Most cultivars demonstrated varied levels of resistance to the Fusarium depending upon the environment.  However, two cultivars (M. basjoo and M. itinerans) were not affected by the disease and showed no rhizome discoloration (which is a symptom of the disease).  These cultivars will be valuable genetic resources to fight Fusarium.

 

(From Li et al., 2015) Rhizome discoloration when inoculated with Fusarium. Scale: 0 - no symptoms, 1 - initial yellowing, 2 - yellowing of all of the lower leaves with partial yellowing of upper leaves, 3 - yellowing of all the leaves followed by the plant death.

Article from;

W.M Li, M. Dita, W. Wu, G.B. Hu, J.H. Xie and X.J. Ge. (2015) Resistance sources to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 in banana wild relatives. Plant pathology. 64, 1061-1067.

Your Washing Machine is Trying to Kill You!

By Elester Williams

Your washing machine cleans your clothes, but what cleans it? In 2015 researchers looked at 70 residential washing machines and tested the detergent drawers and rubber door seals for fungi. Given the locations tested it was rather surprising that nearly 80% of the washing machines tested positive for fungi. But even more surprising was that 44% of the fungi belonged to either the Candida, Fusarium, or Exophiala genera, all of which contain opportunistic pathogens. The researchers pointed to the low soap and low water temperature characteristic of high efficiency washing machines as the factor that promotes fungus growth. Strangely enough three machines consistently imparted a bad smell to clothes and when tested for both fungi and bacteria it was discovered that fungi only made up 8% of the microbes. Maybe you should buy a cleaner for your washing machine BEFORE the clothes start to smell, and before your machine tries to kill you... or at least infect you.

From (Babič et al. 2015). Pictures C-G show microbes cultured from the detergent trays (A) and rubber door seals (B). 

 Original article: Babič MN, Zalar P, Ženko B, Schroers H-J, Džeroski S, Gunde-Cimerman N (2015). Candida and Fusarium species known as opportunistic human pathogens from customer-accessible parts of residential washing machines. Fungal Biology 119: 95-113.

For Peat's Sake!

By Elester Williams,

Tropical peatland In Southeast Asia holds the world’s fourth largest peat based organic carbon reservoir covering up to an estimated 27 million hectares. These reservoirs however are being given up for commercial palm oil farming and an estimated 6% of the annual Carbon dioxide released into the air can be traced back to peatland destruction from agriculture. Researchers in 2015 studied the soil microbe community in a previously disrupted peatland to study the ability of scientists to restore damaged lands. The bacterial community showed 10% similarity to the undisturbed forests, the fungal community showed 61% difference, and the archaeal community showed 66% difference. After 3.5 years no major microbial group studied had a community that was considered fully restored (similar to pre-destruction diversity) suggesting peatland restoration efforts may take decades or longer.

From (Nurulita et al 2016). This figure shows the Southeast Asian (Indonesian) peatlands studied.

Original article: Nurulita Y, Adetutu EM, Gunawan H, Zul D, Ball AS (2016). Restoration of tropical peat soils: The application of soil microbiology for monitoring the success of the restoration process. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 216: 293-303.

Vines to Wines

Wine making had expanded throughout the centuries from Greeks to Egyptians, each having their own technique. In order to produce a good quality wine, they needed to apply the viticulture (grape cultivation) on their land. Vineyards do require certain temperature, moisture, and bacterial community for proper growth. Foguem and Flammang conducted a research in growing a vineyard in China using France’s viticulture technique. In this experiment, it focused on six factors requirement: Geology which is broken down into two categories “macronutrients” and “micronutrients” for soil nutrients supplements requirement, vines (wine quality), climate (vines on different temperature), diseases and treatment (vine disease accumulate), driving mode (vine installment), and irrigation (water stressed condition). In order to compare both countries geographically, graphical software was used for obtaining a glance of China’s biomes that can support the viticulture in soil nutrient supplement and vineyards being able to withstand on different weather conditions. 

Foguem BK and Flammang A. (2014). Knowledge description for their suitability requirements of different geographical regions for growing wine. LPE 38:719-731.

washingtonwinehomes.com

100% Cotton? Yes Please!!!

By: Ashley Garcia

Figure 1. Callewaert et al. (2014). Odor levels of cotton (green) versus polyester (red) based on five odor characterizations ranging in value from 0 (no odor) to 10 (strong odor/intolerable).

Performing aerobic activity has a multitude of health benefits but an aspect individuals may overlook is choice of clothing may encourage the growth of specific microorganisms and enhance the malodor emitted. A study carried out by Callewart et al. analyzed the odor profile of cotton versus polyester t-shirts after an extensive bout of exercise. The researchers found that the polyester t-shirts were more repugnant when compared to their cotton counterparts on all five characteristics analyzed (Figure 1). It was theorized that this finding was based on the fact that polyester is a synthetic fiber, which adsorbs odors less readily and encourages the growth of malodor creating microbes such as Micrococcus spp. This study has several health implications beyond what we find unpleasant due to the growth of these particular microbial species. So the next time you’re thinking of hitting that gym hard, consider reaching for the 100% cotton tee instead of your polyester number.

Original Article:

Callewaert C, Maeseneire ED, Kerchof FM, Verliefde A, Wiele T, Boon N (2014). Microbial odor profile of polyester and cotton clothes after a fitness session. Applied Environmental Microbiology. 88: 6611-6619.

Spooky Time in Airborne Bacteria Haunted Hospital! *o*

It is obvious that a hospital will be one of the most microbial infested places in a community. We tend to think that fomites and ill people are the ones that carry the bacteria around , but what if someone were to show you evidence that most of these bacteria are airborne? In a current study conducted in Setubal, Portugal bacterial counts and fungal loads were performed to identify the variety of bacteria or fungi in specific rooms These rooms were rated from the most prone places to least prone of obtaining contact with a airborne bacteria. The main rooms tested were "the operating theatre, emergency service, and the surgical ward". The samples were taken in different seasons and other protocols were included to provide more specific information.  The bacterial and fungal concentration was more intense in different sampling sites as well as its season. An increase in emergency service increased in summer and surgical ward bacterial counts increased in the winter.  

Verde, Sandra Cabo et. all (2015). Microbial assesments of indoor air quality at different hospital sites. Research in Microbiology

Many different types of bacteria and fungi were found in the air all haunting our existence, so next time you go to the hospital remember its not about what you touch its about what you breathe.

Microbes at the Bay

pictures by google

 

By: EmmaJo Robledo

 

Microbiological organisms in water spread at a faster rate when waters are contaminated. In a study conducted in the Durres bay, researchers studied the microbiological status of the water as compared to the EEA resolution (European Environmental Agency). Another side studied was the improvement ratios seen in the water and identifying risk factors. As far as the detection of the two pollutants, Fecale Coliform (Escherichia Coli FC) and Enterokokut Intestinal (Intestinal Entererococcis –IE), there was improvement in the amount of microorganisms in the water. Fecale Coliform (Escherichia Coli FC) was found only 2 out of 18 monitored results of “bad”. A significant improvement was seen in both microorganisms throughout the bay.

 

 Shoshi O, Sulejman SULÇE, Zamira R. (2014). Microbiological Pollution of Water in the Bay of Durrës. Albanian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 13:57–62. 

Beef Carcasses: Breeding Grounds for Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

By Martha Chapa

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-04/meat-beef-carcass-abattoir/5134404
Beef carcasses hanging at a meat processing plant.
 

Foodborne diseases can arise from human contamination, improper cooking, or countless other careless possibilities. Additionally, a antibiotic resistant foodborne illnesses may potentially originate in slaughter houses where beef carcasses are produced and processed. Cattle grown for beef production are often treated with a wide spectrum of antibiotics to prevent illness; ironically, this preventative measure can potentially have worse adverse effects on human health through building antibiotic resistance in these microbes. A study published in Meat Science assessed the meat contaminating bacteria known to be human pathogens and their drug resistance to 17 antimicrobial drugs. Molecular techniques, such as coagulase gene typing, were performed on 70 swabs of beef carcasses and 70 beef meat samples. Results showed that the carcasses commonly contained Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli even after evisceration. More interestingly, this study found that during carcass processing the identified strains of these bacteria were of significantly greater resistant or polyresistant strains. The gene typing performed in this study suggested that these strains likely originated in the meat processing plants tested. While some may believe that antibiotic treatment of livestock is a necessary preventative step in food health, it is important to think of the long term effect this may have on cattle, the bacterial pathogens they carry and ultimately, human health.

 

Schlegelova, J., Napravnikova, E., Dendis, M., Horvath, R., Benedik, J., Babak, V., Klimova, E., Navratilova, P., Sustackova, A. (2002). Beef carcass contamination in a slaughterhouse and prevalence of resistance to antimicrobial drugs in isolates of selected microbial species. Meat Science, 66, 557-565.

Let's Marvin Gaye and Get it On!

By: Priscilla Carlo

 Scientists breed yeast strains to make new beer flavors.
Corbis Images.

In other words, scientists are "setting the mood" for yeasts, all in the name of beer.... and science, of course! Saccharomyces pastorianus is the yeast used to make lager beers. Lager beers tend to differ very little in flavors because there are only two parent strains used for fermentation; Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the cold-tolerant Saccharomyces eubayanus. In order to create a wider flavor spectrum, scientists decided to breed six different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with two different strains of Saccharomyces eubayanus in high quantities. This resulted in more than 100 new yeast strains, 31 of which presented faster fermentation and stronger aromas, than the original Saccharomyces pastorianus used in the current market today.

With this information, I present a shout-out to all beer lovers out there. Watch out! NEW FLAVORS COMING YOUR WAY!

Citation: Mertens S, Steensels J, Saels V, De Rouck G, Aerts G, Verstrepen KJ. 2015. A Large Set of Newly Created Interspecific Saccharomyces Hybrids Increases Aromatic Diversity in Lager Beers. Appl Environ Microbiol 81:8202–8214. doi:10.1128/AEM.02464-15

Dieting and Microbes

Most of us have been in diets at one points of our life or “tried to” start eating healthy. However, do we ever thing about how microbes feel about breaking our diet and making it into short-term dieting? Does long-term dieting vs. short-term diets cause a difference between microorganisms found in the gut? It has been reported that long-term diets do influence structure and activity of microorganisms; moreover, there is not much information on short dieting and microbes. The articles proposes to analyze microbial communities in short-term dieting. Two types of short diets will be observed and how each one affects the microbial community: (1) composed of plant consumption or (2) composed on animals. It was shown that those who have an animal diet will have a greater numbers of bile-tolerant microorganisms and a decrease in microorganisms who are responsible of metabolizing dietary plant polysaccharides. Which in fact makes sense because of the lack of consumption of plants. Furthermore, the results showed that a short term dietary animal based diet causes a quick reaction from the microbial community. 

David, L., Maurice, C., Carmody, R., Gootenberg, D., Button, J., Wolfe, B., . . . Turnbaugh, P. (2013). Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. Nature, 559-563.

Fungus is Among Us...and Making it Rain!

FineArtAmerica.com:  Mushroom releasing its spores 

              There are billions of fungi spores drifting in the wind, invisible to the human eye. Researchers now believe that these spores could be assist in cloud formation above the fungi, resulting in rainfall. this in turn forms a positive feedback loop, where the additional rain helps the mushrooms to propel more spores up into the atmosphere, and thus induce more rain. The spores are discharged from the underside of the mushroom, area known  as the gills. A drop of fluid called Buller's drop accumulates over the spor surface (Hasset et al, 2015). Once the spore is airborne, the fluid evaporates. This can cause a positive loop where the spore creates the clouds, which lead to rain, which lead to more nutrients for the mushroom, which result in more mushroom that produce more spores to create clouds. I think that California should invest in more mushroom!

By: Bezait Anbesse

Hassett MO, Fischer MWF, Money NP (2015) Mushroom as Rainmakers: How Spores Act as Nuclei for Raindrops. PLoS ONE 10(10): e0140407. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140407