Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan Majdura, Urszula Jankiewicz, Agnieszka Galazka, Slawomir Orzechowski
Summary: Quorum sensing (QS) is a system of communication in bacterial cells through chemical signals, which modulate the behavior of entire populations of bacteria. Recent research has shown that QS molecules play an important role in plant growth stimulation and defense responses. Therefore, using class 1 autoinducers to induce beneficial activity in plants may be a practical solution to improve crop productivity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tianle Li, Bo Li, Yuepeng Sun, Guangxue Wu
Summary: The effects of sludge retention times (SRTs) on system performance, microbial structure, and quorum sensing were investigated in an activated sludge bioreactor. Short SRTs resulted in higher removal efficiency of inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and enrichment of specific bacteria and genes. Additionally, an abundance of quorum sensing signals was found in the sludge at short SRTs.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Michael Moraskie, Md Harun Or Roshid, Gregory O'Connor, Teresa Artola Zavala, Emre Dikici, Jean-Marc Zingg, Sapna Deo, Sylvia Daunert
Summary: A biosensor was developed to study a novel quorum sensing molecule, 3,5-dimethylpyrazin-2-ol (DPO), used by Vibrio cholerae. The biosensor incorporated the recognition of the VqmA regulatory protein with the bioluminescent reporting signal of luciferase for the selective, sensitive, stable, and reproducible detection of DPO. The biosensor was capable of detecting DPO in rodent and human samples, enabling the study of microbial behavior and its impact on health and disease.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Liang Wu, Yubin Luo
Summary: The field of quorum sensing (QS) system is rapidly expanding our understanding of bacteria communication and social activities. Recent studies have shown that QS-related autoinducers play important roles in maintaining homeostasis in the gut microbiome and also in interactions between pathogens and their hosts under pathological conditions. This knowledge is crucial for developing novel antimicrobial therapeutic strategies.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xu Wang, Cancan Jiang, Danhua Wang, Yang Yang, Lijing Fan, Shengjun Xu, Xuliang Zhuang
Summary: Free nitrous acid (FNA) is widely used for wastewater management by altering sludge characteristic and function. This study investigated the role of collective behaviors in FNA treatment and revealed the impact of FNA on sludge morphology and composition.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohit P. Dalwadi, Philip Pearce
Summary: Bacteria use quorum sensing to collectively respond to their environment, with their autoinducers affected by factors such as fluid flow. Understanding how genetic architectures in cells promote population-level phenotypes in varying flow conditions reveals that positive feedback in cells can lead to a robust collective response. By accounting for dynamic flow, positive feedback acts as a low-pass filter in oscillatory flow, allowing populations to respond to changes over slow timescales.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
David Ranava, Cassandra Backes, Ganesan Karthikeyan, Olivier Ouari, Audrey Soric, Marianne Guiral, Maria Luz Cardenas, Marie Therese Giudici-Orticoni
Summary: The formation of multispecies communities allows for colonization of every niche on earth, with molecular information exchange being key for bacterial success. A study using a coculture model with two anaerobic bacteria showed that direct exchange of carbon metabolites between the bacteria enables energetically viability even without substrates for one of the bacteria. This study sheds light on the molecular-level communication and interactions between bacteria in synthetic consortia.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lan Lu, Mingxing Li, Guojuan Yi, Li Liao, Qiang Cheng, Jie Zhu, Bin Zhang, Yingying Wang, Yong Chen, Ming Zeng
Summary: Interference with quorum sensing is an important strategy for the treatment of bacterial infections and restoring antibiotic tolerance. The discovery of quorum sensing inhibitors has a significant impact on the development of anti-infective drugs. Various approaches exist for the discovery of quorum sensing inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hong-Xin Shi, Xu Wang, Jin-Song Guo, Fang Fang, You-Peng Chen, Peng Yan
Summary: This study found that the proliferation of filamentous bacteria during filamentous bulking is associated with population density and AHLs concentration. The triggering of the QS-AHL system promotes the proliferation of filamentous bacteria, while the addition of the quorum sensing inhibitor vanillin effectively inhibits filamentous bulking.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiuju Liu, Jinfeng Wang, Hongqiang Ren
Summary: This study examined the assembly and succession of bacterial community in a full-scale IFAS process, highlighting the significant impact of pH on bacterial community composition and AHL content. The negative correlation between AHL concentration and community composition variation was observed during biofilm development. Additionally, quorum-quenching bacteria were found to play a key role in mature biofilms, strengthening bacterial cooperation and promoting biofilm development.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinfeng Wang, Qiuju Liu, Deyuan Dong, Haidong Hu, Bing Wu, Hongqiang Ren
Summary: This study investigated the bacterial QS threshold and response to AHLs in various biofilms through real time cell analysis, revealing that exogenous AHLs significantly improved bacterial adhesion, with long-chain AHLs playing a major role. Additionally, the study observed a wide range of QS bacterial threshold and significant differences in QS response time to AHLs in different biofilms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhihong Liu, Aijuan Zhou, Sufang Wang, Shuanglan Cheng, Xiaoyun Yin, Xiuping Yue
Summary: The study explored the feasibility of utilizing free nitrous acid pretreatment combined with quorum sensing to enhance hydrogen recovery from waste activated sludge via electro-fermentation. The results showed that the combination of quorum sensing and free nitrous acid enabled the highest hydrogen yield and current, indicating a potential cooperative relationship among anaerobic fermentation bacteria, electroactive bacteria, and homoacetogens in the electro-fermentation system.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sukanya Chakraborty, Yasser Bashir, Vandana Sirotiya, Ankesh Ahirwar, Sovik Das, Vandana Vinayak
Summary: Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) are innovative technologies that simultaneously treat wastewater and produce valuable products like bioelectricity and biofuels using electroactive microorganisms. The application of bacterial signalling mechanisms, such as quorum sensing (QS) and quorum quenching (QQ), in METs helps improve their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chengyu Jiang, Qingjin Chen
Summary: At a concentration of 10 μg/L, nanoparticles reduce sludge dewaterability, while an improvement is observed at 100 μg/L. Aging can alleviate the effects of these two concentrations on sludge dewatering.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Jin, Wei Xiong, Nan Zhou, Gang Xiao, Shaojie Wang, Haijia Su
Summary: The structure of bacterial community in seed sludge varies greatly from different sources, influencing the characteristics of sludge. This study investigated the role of different functional bacteria in AGS granulation and pollutant degradation using seed sludge obtained from different sources. Results showed that the initial bacterial community significantly affected AGS formation and pollutants removal, with seed sludge from municipal sludge granulating faster and achieving better settling performance and granulation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Viduthalai Rasheedkhan Regina, Parisa Noorian, Clarence Bo Wen Sim, Florentin Constancias, Eganathan Kaliyamoorthy, Sean C. Booth, Gustavo Espinoza-Vergara, Scott A. Rice, Diane McDougald
Summary: Vibrio vulnificus, a potential human pathogen, has been found to defend against predation by excreting organic acids to acidify the environment, which is related to metabolic processes and the acetate switch.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wai Leong, Wee Han Poh, Jonathan Williams, Carla Lutz, M. Mozammel Hoque, Yan Hong Poh, Benny Yeo Ken Yee, Cliff Chua, Michael Givskov, Martina Sanderson-Smith, Scott A. Rice, Diane McDougald
Summary: This study reveals the evolutionary selection effects of protozoa on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to attenuated pathogenicity and enhanced fitness in amoeba-adapted isolates, similar to those observed in chronic cystic fibrosis infections.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Honghao Chen, Onder Kimyon, Hamed Lamei Ramandi, Peter Craig, Cindy Gunawan, Saisai Wu, Mike Manefield, Alan Crosky, Serkan Saydam
Summary: Reports of premature failure of cable bolts in mining and civil industries have been increasing in the past two decades. Previous studies identified hydrogen-induced stress corrosion cracking (HISCC) as the cause, but the specific reason remained unclear. This study, for the first time, examined the role of microorganisms in the failure of cable bolts using components found in SCC-affected mines. The findings revealed that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) produced by certain bacteria promoted hydrogen diffusion into the steel, leading to HISCC. Control of H2S production should be prioritized in the mining and civil industries to prevent premature failure of anchoring systems.
ENGINEERING FAILURE ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
M. Mozammel Hoque, Parisa Noorian, Gustavo Espinoza-Vergara, Pradeep Manuneedhi Cholan, Mikael Kim, Md Hafizur Rahman, Maurizio Labbate, Scott A. Rice, Mathieu Pernice, Stefan H. Oehlers, Diane McDougald
Summary: Predation by heterotrophic protists drives the emergence of adaptive traits in bacteria, particularly Vibrio cholerae, by selecting for mutations in flagellar transcriptional regulator flrA, leading to enhanced survival and competitive fitness in amoebae and improved colonization in eukaryotic organisms such as zebrafish. These adaptive traits evolved in response to environmental predatory pressure impact the colonization of eukaryotic organisms by these pathogens.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wee Han Poh, Scott A. Rice
Summary: The use of nitric oxide (NO) shows promise as a novel approach for treating antibiotic resistant bacteria and biofilm infections. Different strategies have been developed to overcome the limitations of NO's reactivity and enable controlled release, including the design of NO-releasing materials and encapsulation of NO donors. This review summarizes recent developments and discusses limitations and variability in biological responses to the use of NO for bacterial eradication.
Article
Microbiology
Pauliina Rajala, Dong-Qiang Cheng, Scott A. Rice, Federico M. Lauro
Summary: The study found that metal corrosion in deep-sea environments is driven by both biotic and abiotic processes, with microbially induced corrosion playing a key role, which differs significantly from the microbial communities in the surrounding sediment, dominated by sulfur-cycling bacteria.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Joash Jun Keat Chu, Wee Han Poh, Nabilah Taqiah Binte Hasnuddin, En Yi Hew, Linh Chi Dam, Abbas El Sahili, Scott A. Rice, Boon Chong Goh
Summary: As antimicrobial resistance becomes a growing health threat, the need for novel therapeutic agents is urgent. This study identifies a lysin called Abp013 that exhibits significant lytic activity against drug-resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii. Abp013 is able to tolerate the presence of human serum and effectively kill bacterial cells within biofilms. These findings suggest that Abp013 holds promising potential as a novel therapeutic agent.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emmanuel T. Oluwabusola, Nursheena Parveen Katermeran, Wee Han Poh, Teo Min Ben Goh, Lik Tong Tan, Oluwatofunmilayo Diyaolu, Jioji Tabudravu, Rainer Ebel, Scott A. Rice, Marcel Jaspars
Summary: Natural products derived from marine sponges have shown inhibitory activity against quorum sensing, preventing biofilm formation and reducing virulence factor expression by pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, psammaplin-type compounds from Aplysinella rhax were evaluated and found to have significant inhibitory effects.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jiayi Huang, Liang Cui, Meenubharathi Natarajan, Paul W. Barone, Jacqueline M. Wolfrum, Yie Hou Lee, Scott A. Rice, Stacy L. Springs
Summary: Controlling microbial risks is crucial for ensuring the safety of cell therapy products. Researchers have identified the ratio of nicotinic acid to nicotinamide as a biomarker that can detect a wide range of microbial contaminants in cell cultures.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kira Eilers, Joey Kuok Hoong Yam, Richard Morton, Adeline Mei Hui Yong, Jaime Brizuela, Corina Hadjicharalambous, Xianghui Liu, Michael Givskov, Scott A. Rice, Alain Filloux
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a versatile bacterium that can survive and thrive in various environments and hosts. Its adaptability is due to its large genome and tight control over gene expression. Cyclic-di-GMP signaling, a regulatory mechanism found in many bacteria, influences all levels of control in P. aeruginosa. This signaling involves modifications to enzymes or proteins upon c-di-GMP binding, ultimately impacting the transcriptome. This study suggests that the specificity of c-di-GMP networks needs to be reconstructed for each strain of P. aeruginosa and cannot be extrapolated from one strain to another.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Stephen Summers, Y. Shona Pek, Deepthi P. Vinod, Diane McDougald, Peter A. Todd, William R. Birch, Scott A. Rice
Summary: Seawalls are crucial in protecting coastlines but can negatively impact biodiversity. This study investigated the effects of different stone materials on biofilm formation, finding no significant impact on microbial diversity. However, surface properties did influence initial biofilm development.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu Fen Goh, Henriette L. L. Roder, Siew Herng Chan, Muhammad Hafiz Ismail, Jonas S. S. Madsen, Kai Wei Kelvin Lee, Soren J. Sorensen, Michael Givskov, Mette Burmolle, Scott A. A. Rice, Diane McDougald
Summary: Mixed species biofilms exhibit increased tolerance to stresses. Grazing by Tetrahymena pyriformis significantly reduced the biofilms of single species K. pneumoniae and P. protegens, but P. aeruginosa biofilms were resistant. Rhamnolipids and the quorum sensing molecule PQS contribute to the protective mechanisms.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lan Li Wong, Sudarsan Mugunthan, Binu Kundukad, James Chin Shing Ho, Scott A. A. Rice, Jamie Hinks, Thomas Seviour, Atul N. N. Parikh, Staffan Kjelleberg
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
M. Mozammel Hoque, Parisa Noorian, Gustavo Espinoza-Vergara, Srijon Adhikary, Joyce To, Scott A. Rice, Diane McDougald
Summary: The flagellar transcriptional regulator flrA plays a key role in flagellum synthesis initiation in Vibrio cholerae. This study demonstrates that the absence of flrA leads to increased growth and survival of V. cholerae in the amoeba host Acanthamoeba castellanii, and this is associated with upregulation of genes involved in iron acquisition and amino acid biosynthesis. The availability of iron is crucial for V. cholerae survival in amoeba, and the catalases KatB and KatG confer increased tolerance to oxidative stress. These findings highlight the importance of flrA in resistance to protozoan predation and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying increased survival in the environment.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Navin Kumar Verma, Si Jia Tan, John Chen, Hanrong Chen, Muhammad Hafiz Ismail, Scott A. Rice, Pablo Bifani, Sukumar Hariharan, Vivek Daniel Paul, Bharathi Sriram, Linh Chi Dam, Chia Ching Chan, Peiying Ho, Boon Chong Goh, Shimin Jasmine Chung, Kenneth Choon Meng Goh, Shu Hua Thong, Andrea Lay-Hoon Kwa, Adam Ostrowski, Thet Tun Aung, Halimah Razali, Shermaine W. Y. Low, Mani Shankar Bhattacharyya, Hemant K. Gautam, Rajamani Lakshminarayanan, Thomas Sicheritz-Ponten, Martha R. J. Clokie, Wilfried Moreira, Maurice Adrianus Monique van Steensel
Summary: This article summarizes the ongoing research on bacteriophages and phage-derived technologies in Singapore and neighboring countries. The symposium discussed topics such as the life cycles and diversity of phages, their roles in biofilms and the human gut microbiome, engineered phage lysins for treating polymicrobial infections in wounds, and the challenges and prospects of clinical phage therapy.
PHAGE-THERAPY APPLICATIONS AND RESEARCH
(2022)
