Article
Microbiology
Naresh Kumar, Aniket Saraf, Sagarika Pal, Deeksha Mishra, Prashant Singh
Summary: This study isolated a dark-colored thin film of cyanobacteria growing on a submerged stone in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The isolated strain was found to belong to a new genus, highlighting the need for further research in resolving taxonomic discrepancies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mahesh Chavadar, Aniket Saraf, Archana Suradkar, Deeksha Mishra, Naresh Kumar, Prashant Singh
Summary: The freshwater cyanobacterium strain MKW3 was isolated from a waterlogged sugarcane field in Malkapur, Karad, Maharashtra, India, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that it belongs to a new genus and species named Constrictifihim karadense.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yasaman Tavakoli, Fatemeh Mohammadipanah, Shu Harn Te, Luhua You, Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence and biodiversity of cyanobacteria in a drinking water reservoir in Tehran province, Iran. Nine different cyanobacterial species were isolated and classified, with some strains showing production of cyanotoxins such as microcystin, cylindrospermopsin, and anatoxin-a. The research also identified novel findings, such as the detection of various cyanotoxins in different strains and the production of cylindrospermopsin in a picocyanobacterial strain. These findings contribute to expanding knowledge on freshwater toxic cyanobacteria taxonomy in the Middle East and will aid in the development of new water management policies in the future.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ivanka Teneva, Detelina Belkinova, Tsvetelina Paunova-Krasteva, Krum Bardarov, Dzhemal Moten, Rumen Mladenov, Balik Dzhambazov
Summary: Through the application of polyphasic taxonomy and metabolomics, this study reevaluates the taxonomic position of Microcoleus autumnalis and suggests reassigning it to the genus Phormidium, based on morphological and genetic differences. Morphological variability monitoring and TEM analysis showed differences in trichome ends, apical cell shape, and the presence/absence and shape of calyptra between Phormidium autumnale and Microcoleus vaginatus strains. Molecular genetic analysis based on 16S rDNA revealed that P. autumnale strains form a separate clade distinct from the representatives of the genus Microcoleus. Metabolomic analysis identified 39 compounds as potential biochemical markers for distinguishing the two cyanobacterial species.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Li-Qin Shen, Zhong-Chun Zhang, Jin-Long Shang, Zheng-Ke Li, Min Chen, Renhui Li, Bao-Sheng Qiu
Summary: In this study, a strain of cyanobacteria capable of producing chlorophyll f under far-red light was taxonomically transferred to the genus Kovacikia and established as a new species called Kovacikia minuta sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis revealed its relationship with other Kovacikia strains, and the draft genome provided insights into its genetic characteristics. This study contributes to our understanding of the diversity of chlorophyll f-producing cyanobacteria and lays a foundation for future research on the evolution of far-red light photoacclimation in cyanobacteria.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sagarika Pal, Aniket Saraf, Naresh Kumar, Prashant Singh
Summary: A soil-dwelling cyanobacterial strain (KLS-BP-3A_PS) was isolated from the Northeast region of India and identified as a new species of Desikacharya, named Desikacharya kailashaharensis. This discovery is significant for the study of biodiversity in the Northeast region of India.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nam-Ju Lee, Do-Hyun Kim, Eun-Chan Yang, Ok-Min Lee
Summary: A soil cyanobacterium, FBCC-A195, was isolated from the soil underneath the Jangnak Bridge in Republic of Korea. The study of FBCC-A195 included its morphological features observed under light and transmission electron microscopy, as well as its genetic characteristics through analysis of 16S rRNA and 16S-23S ITS. Based on these findings, FBCC-A195 was classified as a unique and novel species, Katagnymene terrestris, within the Gomontiellaceae family.
Article
Microbiology
Yi Li, Yun-Yun Ding, Yan-Ru Dang, Yun Bai, Li Guan, Ning-Hua Liu, Yu-Zhu Wang, Mei-Lin Kang, Yu-Qiang Zhang, Xi-Ying Zhang
Summary: A new Celeribacter species, named Celeribacter litoreus sp. nov., was isolated from intertidal sediment in Qingdao, PR China. The strain demonstrated a wide range of growth adaptability to temperature, pH, and salt concentration. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain ASW11-22(T) was closely related to Celeribacter halophilus and Celeribacter ethanolicus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhaobin Huang, Xiaowei Zhou, Qiliang Lai
Summary: Nine bacterial strains isolated from tidal flat sediment in Quanzhou Bay, China were classified into three novel species within the genus Aestuariivivens. The study provides phylogenetic and genomic evidence to support these new species.
SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Laura Brenes-Guillen, Daniela Vidaurre-Barahona, Saylen Morales, Marielos Mora-Lopez, Ana Sittenfeld, Lorena Uribe-Lorio
Summary: This study focused on the cultured cyanobacterial diversity in two geothermal environments of northern Costa Rica. It identified several potential new species within known genera, and suggested the presence of three possible new genera in their collection. The thermal springs of Miravalles and Las Lilas were found to be reservoirs of novel phylogeographic lineages of phototrophic microorganisms, indicating unique biodiversity in these environments.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ruozhen Geng, Wenke Li, Aimin Chao, Xiaoyu Guo, Hua Li, Gongliang Yu, Renhui Li
Summary: Taxonomic studies on cyanobacteria using modern approaches have led to the discovery of many new genera and species. A new filamentous cyanobacterial genus, Microcoleusiopsis, was identified during field surveys in China, isolated from microbial mats on rock surfaces in Jiangxi Province.
Article
Microbiology
Ji-Qing Liu, Xiao-Yan He, Tie-Ji Gu, Jia-Xuan Wang, Ning-Hua Liu, Xiu-Lan Chen, Yu-Zhong Zhang, Xiao-Yan Song, Xi- Ying Zhang
Summary: A new species, Spartinivicinus marinus sp. nov., was isolated from intertidal sediment sample collected from Qingdao coast, China. It is a Gram stain-negative, aerobic, flagellated, and long rod-shaped bacterium which grows at different temperatures and salinities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yao Cheng, Ruozhen Geng, Liang Shan, Yang Liu, He Zhang, Peng Xiao, Zengling Ma, Renhui Li
Summary: This study investigated the taxonomy of filamentous cyanobacteria in the east of China and characterized twenty strains isolated from different locations in Zhejiang Province. Using a polyphasic approach, the strains were classified as members of the newly recorded genera Ancylothrix and Potamolinea in China. The study further discussed cyanobacterial systematics at the family level based on the collected taxonomic information of the Phormidiaceae family.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nam-Ju Lee, Do-Hyun Kim, Jee-Hwan Kim, An Suk Lim, Ok-Min Lee
Summary: Six strains of subaerial cyanobacteria were isolated from a Gomso saltern in the Republic of Korea and studied using morphological and molecular traits. Trichotorquatus salinus sp. nov. is a new species with unique morphological, ecological, and molecular traits, forming a distinct clade within the genus Trichotorquatus.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yu Wan, De-Wei Li, Yuan-Zhi Si, Min Li, Lin Huang, Li-Hua Zhu
Summary: In this study, three new species of Diaporthe on Acer palmatum were described and their phylogenetic relationships were determined. The tests of Koch's postulates confirmed that these three new species were pathogens causing leaf blight on A. palmatum. This study provides important information on the morphology and phylogenetic relationships of Diaporthe spp.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amelia Curd, Mathieu Chevalier, Mickael Vasquez, Aurelien Boye, Louise B. Firth, Martin P. Marzloff, Lucy M. Bricheno, Michael T. Burrows, Laura E. Bush, Celine Cordier, Andrew J. Davies, J. A. Mattias Green, Stephen J. Hawkins, Fernando P. Lima, Claudia Meneghesso, Nova Mieszkowska, Rui Seabra, Stanislas F. Dubois
Summary: Distributional shifts in species ranges provide critical evidence of ecological responses to climate change. Assessments of climate-driven changes typically focus on broad-scale range shifts, but overlook ecological consequences at regional and local scales. This study uses an ecosystem engineer species, Sabellaria alveolata, to assess climate-driven changes within its fragmented distribution using landscape ecology metrics and species distribution modeling.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ines Pascoa, Rita Biltes, Joao Sousa, Marco Aurelio Correia Preto, Vitor Vasconcelos, Luis Filipe Castro, Raquel Ruivo, Isabel Cunha
Summary: Cyanobacteria produce secondary metabolites that can act as ligands for PPARs, making them a potential source of bioactive compounds. A cell-based PPAR transactivation activity biosensor was upgraded and used in a screening campaign for drug discovery.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jorge Matinha-Cardoso, Tamara Santos, Hugo Pereira, Joao Varela, Paula Tamagnini, Rita Mota
Summary: In recent years, the large-scale cultivation and commercialization of microalgae/cyanobacteria biomasses have become a worldwide trend, mainly directed to the animal and human nutrition markets due to their outstanding nutritional value. Crocosphaera chwakensis CCY0110 is a marine unicellular cyanobacterium that produces a promising and versatile extracellular carbohydrate polymer (Cyanoflan). Therefore, envisaging a biorefinery approach with a multi-product stream (zero-waste), C. chwakensis biomass was cultivated at pilot-scale and its nutritional composition was evaluated.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ines Rosado Vitorino, Alexandre Lobo-da-Cunha, Vitor Vasconcelos, Olga Maria Lage
Summary: In this study, a novel bacterium, strain ICT_H6.2(T), was isolated from the brackish environment of the Tagus River estuary in Portugal. Through genetic analysis, it was classified as a member of the bacterial phylum Planctomycetota and family Lacipirellulaceae, with a 98.0% similarity to its closest relative Aeoliella mucimassa Pan181(T). The strain has a genome size of 7.8 Mbp and a DNA G+C content of 59.6 mol %. It is heterotrophic, aerobic and capable of microaerobic growth, and can tolerate high salt concentrations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Samuel Cavalcante do Amaral, Luciana Pereira Xavier, Vitor Vasconcelos, Agenor Valadares Santos
Summary: Cyanobacteria are a valuable source of secondary metabolites with diverse chemical and biological properties, including antifungal activity. This review examines the key features of these antifungal compounds, their sources, major targets, and the environmental factors involved in their production. A comprehensive analysis of 642 documents dating from 1980 to 2022, including patents, original research, review articles, and theses, was conducted for this study.
Article
Polymer Science
Rita Mota, Raquel T. Lima, Carlos Flores, Juliana F. Silva, Beatriz Cruz, Barbara Alves, Marta T. Pinto, Alessandra Adessi, Sara B. Pereira, Roberto De Philippis, Paula Soares, Paula Tamagnini
Summary: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide, and there is a need for effective and affordable anticancer agents. The extracellular carbohydrate polymer of a Synechocystis Delta sigF mutant has been found to exhibit strong antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis. In this study, variants of the polymer were tested in a human melanoma cell line and showed enhanced antitumor activity. Furthermore, the polymers were also effective in reducing tumor growth in vivo. These findings contribute to the design and evaluation of cyanobacterial extracellular polymers for biomedical applications.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria G. Hinojosa, Antonio Cascajosa-Lira, Ana I. Prieto, Daniel Gutierrez-Praena, Vitor Vasconcelos, Angeles Jos, Ana M. Camean
Summary: The incidence and interest of cyanobacteria have been increasing due to their ability to produce toxic secondary metabolites known as cyanotoxins. This study assessed the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress generation of different cyanobacterial extracts, and compared the effects of extracts containing and not containing cylindrospermopsin (CYN) in human neuroblastoma cells. The results showed that the CYN-containing extract was more toxic and induced oxidative stress compared to the CYN-free extract. This study highlights the importance of studying toxic effects of cyanobacteria in their natural environment.
Article
Biology
Martha Martinez-Garcia, Gloria Garduno-Solorzano, Graciliana Lopes, Begona Astrain Sanchez, Ralph Urbatzka, Guilherme Scotta Hentschke, Jorge E. Campos, Vitor Manuel Oliveira Vasconcelos
Summary: Using molecular markers, we confirmed the taxonomic status of Bacopa monnieri from Mexico and analyzed its chemical content and potential bioactivity. The results show that B. monnieri has great potential as a natural source of compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties. This plant's raw material can be effectively used as a nutritional and medicinal supplement.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruben Luz, Rita Cordeiro, Jan Kastovsky, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Elisabete Dias, Amelia Fonseca, Ralph Urbatzka, Vitor Vasconcelos, Vitor Goncalves
Summary: This study described new genera and species of filamentous cyanobacteria isolated from aquatic habitats in the Azores archipelago through morphology, genetic data, and other analyses. It emphasizes the importance of taxonomic studies on cyanobacteria from less-studied habitats and geographical regions.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Margarida Silva, Marco Preto, Clara Grosso, Monica Vieira, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Vitor Vasconcelos, Mariana Reis, Lillian Barros, Rosario Martins
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes a decline in cognitive functions. It is the most common form of dementia and has no well-defined cause. Current treatments only manage to reduce symptoms, and there are only two drugs that can partially halt its progression. Natural compounds from mushrooms have been studied for their potential use in AD treatment due to their beneficial effects on various AD-related mechanisms such as enzyme inhibition, prevention of protein aggregation and neurotoxicity, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. While there have been studies linking mushrooms to neurodegenerative diseases, there is currently no publication summarizing the data specifically focused on AD. This review aims to fill that gap by compiling the potential anti-AD effects of mushroom extracts or compounds that target known AD-related mechanisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruben Luz, Rita Cordeiro, Jan Kastovsky, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Elisabete Dias, Amelia Fonseca, Ralph Urbatzka, Vitor Vasconcelos, Vitor Goncalves
Summary: The taxonomy of cyanobacteria has been advanced through the use of molecular methods and morphology. In this study, four cyanobacterial strains from the Azores Archipelago were genetically characterized and classified as new species and genera. This research contributes to the understanding of the biogeography of cyanobacteria in remote oceanic islands and new terrestrial habitats.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vitoria Ramos, Mariana Reis, Leonor Ferreira, Ana Margarida Silva, Ricardo Ferraz, Monica Vieira, Vitor Vasconcelos, Rosario Martins
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive and irreversible neuronal loss, and there are currently no available cures. Cyanobacterial compounds have anti-neurodegenerative properties and can be valuable in the field of treatment.
Article
Microbiology
Lamia Benredjem, Joao Morais, Guilherme Scotta Hentschke, Akila Abdi, Hajira Berredjem, Vitor Vasconcelos
Summary: This study isolated and identified cyanobacteria strains from the Cheffia Reservoir, revealing the importance of morphological features and the 16S rRNA gene in species determination. The research also discovered potentially toxic genotypes within this ecosystem, highlighting the need for adapted water treatment methods to prevent toxin release from picocyanobacteria.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Joao Romeu, Joao Morais, Vitor Vasconcelos, Filipe Mergulhao
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of hydrogen peroxide on cyanobacterial biofilms and found that these biofilms were tolerant to hydrogen peroxide treatment, which may even lead to an increase in biomass.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Giovanni Davide Barone, Michal Hubacek, Lenny Malihan-Yap, Hanna C. Grimm, Lauri Nikkanen, Catarina C. Pacheco, Paula Tamagnini, Yagut Allahverdiyeva, Robert Kourist
Summary: It has been found that the addition of exogenous carbon source D-glucose can accelerate NAD(P)H redox reactions and increase the activity of ene-reductase YqjM in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, leading to higher production of biofuels and catalysis in heterologous electron consuming processes.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
