Bacterial social interactions in synthetic consortia enhance plant growth.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) represent a sustainable method to improve crop productivity. Synthetic microbial consortia have emerged as a powerful tool for engineering rhizosphere microbiomes. However, designing functionally stable consortia remains challenging due to an insufficient understanding of bacterial social interactions.

Naturally competent bacteria and their genetic parasites-a battle for control over horizontal gene transfer?

Host-mediated natural competence for transformation of DNA and mobile genetic element (MGE)-driven conjugation and transduction are key modes of horizontal gene transfer. While these mechanisms are traditionally believed to shape bacterial evolution by enabling the acquisition of new genetic traits, numerous studies have elucidated an antagonistic relationship between natural transformation and MGEs. A new role of natural transformation as a chromosome-curing mechanism has now been proposed.

Pulmonary hazards of nanoplastic particles: a study using polystyrene in in vitro models of the alveolar and bronchial epithelium.

Background: Nanoplastics (NPs) are released into the environment through the degradation of plastic objects, leading to human exposure. Due to their small size, concerns have been raised about the potential hazards to the respiratory tract, as ultrafine and nanoparticles are known to penetrate till the alveolar regions of the lungs, potentially impairing their functions. Thus, in the present study, we used model polystyrene nanoparticles doped with the fluorescent metal europium (PS-Eu) to enhance the understanding of NPs hazard and investigate adverse outcomes associated with exposure in human lungs using alveolar (A549) and bronchial (Calu-3) cell models grown in 2D and 3D submerged conditions or quasi air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions (3D).

Distinct effects of mucin on phage-host interactions in model systems of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria.

Phage-host interactions that occur in host-associated microbiomes are influenced by a plethora of environmental factors. Mucins are glycoproteins that represent the main component of mucus, which is found in the animal digestive tract and on the surface of certain organs, serving as the first line of defense against toxins and pathogens. Previous studies have shown that lytic phages have an important influence on the microbial composition in mucosal areas.

Bacillus subtilis ensures high spore quality in competition with Salmonella Typhimurium via the SigB-dependent pathway.

The interactions between beneficial bacteria and pathogens are understudied. Here we investigate the interactions between the probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis PS-216 and the pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium SL1344. We show here that the sporulation of B.

Ecology of prophage-like elements in Bacillus subtilis at global and local geographical scales.

Prophages constitute a substantial portion of bacterial genomes, yet their effects on hosts remain poorly understood. We examine the abundance, distribution, and activity of prophages in Bacillus subtilis using computational and laboratory analyses. Genome sequences from the NCBI database and riverbank soil isolates reveal prophages primarily related to mobile genetic elements in laboratory strains.

Bacillus subtilis Intraspecies Interactions Shape Probiotic Activity Against Salmonella Typhimurium.

Commercial probiotics are often formulated as multi-strain cocktails, but the effects of social interactions, particularly between strains of a species, are often neglected, despite their potential to contribute to higher-order interactions where these interactions could affect those with a third party. In this study, we investigated the probiotic potential of a collection of Bacillus subtilis strains against Salmonella Typhimurium in single-strain and mixed cultures. The results indicate a promising probiotic potential of B.

Nonkin interactions between Bacillus subtilis soil isolates limit the spread of swarming deficient cheats.

Cooperative behaviours in human, animal, and even microbial societies are vulnerable to exploitation. Kin discrimination has been hypothesized to help stabilize cooperation. However, the mechanisms that sustain cooperative behaviour remain poorly understood.

Development of a Microbioreactor for Biofilm Cultivation.

To improve our understanding of growth and biofilm formation under different environmental conditions, two versions of a microfluidic reactor with two channels separated by a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane were developed. The gas phase was introduced into the channel above the membrane, and oxygen transfer from the gas phase through the membrane was assessed by measuring the dissolved oxygen concentration in the liquid phase using a miniaturized optical sensor and oxygen-sensitive nanoparticles. biofilm formation was monitored in the growth channels of the microbioreactors, which were designed in two shapes: one with circular extensions and one without.

BioDeepfuse: a hybrid deep learning approach with integrated feature extraction techniques for enhanced non-coding RNA classification.

The accurate classification of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) sequences is pivotal for advanced non-coding genome annotation and analysis, a fundamental aspect of genomics that facilitates understanding of ncRNA functions and regulatory mechanisms in various biological processes. While traditional machine learning approaches have been employed for distinguishing ncRNA, these often necessitate extensive feature engineering. Recently, deep learning algorithms have provided advancements in ncRNA classification.

Multiscale spatial segregation analysis in digital images of biofilms.

Quantifying the degree of spatial segregation of two bacterial strains in mixed biofilms is an important topic in microbiology. Spatial segregation is dependent on spatial scale as two strains may appear to be well mixed if observed from a distance, but a closer look can reveal strong separation. Typically, this information is encoded in a digital image that represents the binary system, e.

DegQ is an important policing link between quorum sensing and regulated adaptative traits in .

Quorum sensing (QS) is a widespread bacterial communication system that controls important adaptive traits in a cell density-dependent manner. However, mechanisms by which QS-regulated traits are linked within the cell and mechanisms by which these links affect adaptation are not well understood. In this study, was used as a model bacterium to investigate the link between the ComQXPA QS system, DegQ, surfactin and protease production in planktonic and biofilm cultures.

Reduction of hexavalent chromium using bacterial isolates and a microbial community enriched from tannery effluent.

We investigated microbial growth in increasing concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and its reduction by a microbial community enriched from tannery effluent and by the bacterial strains isolated from the enriched community. The bacterial growth was monitored by measuring the optical cell density (OD), while the Cr(VI) concentration in the samples was determined using spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). At a Cr(VI) concentration of 100 mg/L, the isolates affiliated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.

Nutrient Availability and Biofilm Polysaccharide Shape the Bacillaene-Dependent Antagonism of Bacillus subtilis against Salmonella Typhimurium.

Salmonella enterica is one of the most common foodborne pathogens and, due to the spread of antibiotic resistance, new antimicrobial strategies are urgently needed to control it. In this study, we explored the probiotic potential of Bacillus subtilis PS-216 and elucidated the mechanisms that underlie the interactions between this soil isolate and the model pathogenic strain Typhimurium SL1344. The results reveal that B.

Housekeeping gene gyrA, a potential molecular marker for Bacillus ecology study.

Bacillus is a genus of microorganisms (bacteria) and contains many important commercial species used in industry, agriculture and healthcare. Many different Bacilli are relatively well understood at the single-cell level; however, molecular tools that determine the diversity and ecology of Bacillus community are limited, which limits our understanding of how the Bacillus community works. In the present study, we investigated the potential of the housekeeping gene gyrA as a molecular marker for determining the diversity of Bacillus species.

Involvement of Flagellin in Kin Recognition between Bacillus velezensis Strains.

Kin discrimination in nature is an effective way for bacteria to stabilize population cooperation and maintain progeny benefits. However, so far, the research on kin discrimination for still has concentrated on "attack and defense" between cells and diffusion-dependent molecular signals of quorum sensing, kin recognition in , however, has not been reported. To determine whether flagellar is involve in the kin recognition of , we constructed Bacillus velezensis SQR9 assembled with flagellin of its kin and non-kin strains, and performed a swarm boundary assay with SQR9, then analyzed sequence variation of flagellin and other flagellar structural proteins in B.

Kin Discrimination Modifies Strain Distribution, Spatial Segregation, and Incorporation of Extracellular Matrix Polysaccharide Mutants of Bacillus subtilis Strains into Mixed Floating Biofilms.

Microorganisms in nature form multicellular groups called biofilms. In biofilms, bacteria embedded in the extracellular matrix (ECM) interact intensely due to their proximity. Most studies have investigated genetically homogeneous biofilms, leaving a gap in knowledge on genetically heterogeneous biofilms.

PS-216 Spores Supplemented in Broiler Chicken Drinking Water Reduce Colonization and Increases Weight Gain.

is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, or campylobacteriosis, in humans worldwide, and poultry serves as a major source of infection. To reduce the risk associated with transmission via poultry meat, effective interventions during poultry production are needed, and the use of probiotics is a promising approach. In this study, 15 strains were initially screened for their anti- activities.

Systems view of Bacillus subtilis pellicle development.

In this study, we link pellicle development at the water-air interface with the vertical distribution and viability of the individual B. subtilis PS-216 cells throughout the water column. Real-time interfacial rheology and time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy were combined to correlate mechanical properties with morphological changes (aggregation status, filament formation, pellicle thickness, spore formation) of the growing pellicle.

Annulment of Bacterial Antagonism Improves Plant Beneficial Activity of a Bacillus velezensis Consortium.

sp. strains that are beneficial to plants are widely used in commercial biofertilizers and biocontrol agents for sustainable agriculture. Generally, functional strains are applied as single-strain communities since the principles of synthetic microbial consortia constructed with strains remain largely unclear.

PS-216 Antagonistic Activities against NCTC 11168 Are Modulated by Temperature, Oxygen, and Growth Medium.

As the incidence of and campylobacteriosis grows, so does the need for a better understanding and control of this pathogen. We studied the interactions of NCTC 11168 and a potential probiotic, PS-216, in cocultures at different starting ratios and temperatures (20 °C, 37 °C, 42 °C), under different atmospheres (aerobic, microaerobic), and in different growth media (Mueller-Hinton, chicken litter medium, chicken intestinal-content medium). Under microaerobic conditions, effectively inhibited the growth of at 42 °C (log reduction, 4.

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Plasmid-Encoded Laccase-Like Multicopper Oxidase from sp. BF15 Isolated from an On-Farm Bio-Purification System.

Research Background: In recent decades, laccases (-diphenol-dioxygen oxidoreductases; EC 1.10.3.

Kin discrimination drives territorial exclusion during Bacillus subtilis swarming and restrains exploitation of surfactin.

Swarming is the collective movement of bacteria across a surface. It requires the production of surfactants (public goods) to overcome surface tension and provides an excellent model to investigate bacterial cooperation. Previously, we correlated swarm interaction phenotypes with kin discrimination between B.

Kin discrimination promotes horizontal gene transfer between unrelated strains in Bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis is a soil bacterium that is competent for natural transformation. Genetically distinct B. subtilis swarms form a boundary upon encounter, resulting in killing of one of the strains.