Article
Environmental Sciences
Qinghua Tian, Junjun Wang, Linlin Cui, Weimin Zeng, Guanzhou Qiu, Qi Hu, Anan Peng, Du Zhang, Li Shen
Summary: This study discusses the adsorption behavior, cytotoxicity, and stress response mechanism of microalgae under cadmium stress. Through RNAseq and enrichment analysis, the study reveals the gene expression patterns and key genes in microalgae responding to cadmium stress. The study provides detailed short-term and long-term genomic information on microalgae and suggests potential targets for algae-mediated genetic engineering.
Article
Biology
Katsunori Yoshikawa, Kenichi Ogawa, Yoshihiro Toya, Seiji Akimoto, Fumio Matsuda, Hiroshi Shimizu
Summary: A high light tolerant strain of cyanobacteria was obtained through adaptive laboratory evolution, showing no growth inhibition under conditions up to 9000 μmol m(-2) s(-1) and exhibiting an increase in isiA expression.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabor Patyi, Barbara Hodi, Daniel Solymosi, Imre Vass, Peter B. Kos
Summary: Detection and identification of heavy metal contaminants are increasingly important due to environmental pollution. Bacterial heavy metal reporters offer an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach, but their sensitivity needs improvement. This study presents a molecular biology approach to enhance the sensitivity of bacterial heavy metal biosensors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anh T. Q. Cong, Taylor L. Witter, Matthew J. Schellenberg
Summary: This article introduces a series of anti-GFP and anti-mCherry nanobody affinity matrices and analyzes their application in purifying GFP/YFP or mCherry fusion proteins, while determining the molecular basis of their binding to target proteins through X-ray crystallography. Ultimately, the utility of the mCherry-tag system in purifying recombinant human topoisomerase 2 alpha protein was experimentally validated.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jun Minagawa, Marcel Dann
Summary: Cyanobacteria mainly use bicarbonate ions to absorb hydrated CO2 for carbon assimilation, with the help of carboxysomal carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes. Some cyanobacterial genomes also encode extracellular CAs, but their exact role is still largely unknown. CahB1 is the only known active extracellular beta-CA in cyanobacteria, but it is likely a carboxysomal protein rather than a secreted one. When expressed in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, CahB1 was found to complement the loss of endogenous CA and localize to a carboxysome-harboring and CA-active cell fraction, indicating its retention of crucial carboxysomal CA properties.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Maximilian Emanuel Blaha, Sadat Hasan, Christian Dusny, Detlev Belder
Summary: This study presents a label-free sorting technique for cyanobacterial cells based on their fluorescence lifetime, which enables single-cell sensitivity sorting and can be used to study the effects of stressors on cyanobacterial physiology.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maxime Fages-Lartaud, Lisa Tietze, Florence Elie, Rahmi Lale, Martin Frank Hohmann-Marriott
Summary: In this study, we discovered a problem in the red fluorescent protein family, where a short protein isoform produces significant background fluorescence that affects the interpretation of experimental results. We also provided an improved tool for imaging and protein expression studies.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hossein Firoozabadi, Mohammad Mahdi Mardanpour, Ehsan Motamedian
Summary: This study presents a systemic approach using metabolic modeling to enhance bioelectricity generation in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 by altering cellular metabolism and introducing regulatory compounds. The experimental results showed a significant increase in power density, demonstrating the crucial role of cellular metabolism in improving bioelectricity generation in BPVs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bin Lai, Hans Schneider, Jenny Tschoertner, Andreas Schmid, Jens O. Kroemer
Summary: Biophotovoltaics (BPV) offers a promising solution for hydrogen supply by coupling light-driven water splitting to hydrogen formation using oxygenic photoautotrophic cyanobacteria. However, current limitations in photon-to-current efficiency and experimental equipment hinder research progress. By developing a new technical-scale BPV platform with optimized parameters and identifying interfering factors, reproducible and stable current output signals were achieved. The use of an optimized nBG11 medium helped minimize background interferences, allowing for reliable and quantitative investigation, optimization, and scale-up of BPV processes.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pawel Zbik, Kinga Klodawska, Przemyslaw Malec
Summary: In this study, myxoxanthophyll glycosides were isolated from cyanobacteria and found to exist as a mixture of geometrical isomers. The absorption maxima of myxoxanthophyll were influenced by solvent properties. Organic solvents showed no specific interactions with myxoxanthophyll, while an aqueous environment promoted intermolecular interactions. The biological significance of these observations remains to be determined.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Benjamin C. Campbell, Maria G. Paez-Segala, Loren L. Looger, Gregory A. Petsko, Ce Feng Liu
Summary: This study reports a remarkably stable yellow fluorescent protein named hfYFP and its variants, which exhibit outstanding chemical and thermal stability for various challenging applications. By analyzing the crystal structure of hfYFP, highly stable 405nm-excitable green fluorescent proteins were developed. Furthermore, a fluorescence-assisted protein purification strategy was devised, allowing visualization of all steps of denaturing affinity chromatography using ultraviolet or blue light.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaomeng Tong, Eui-Jin Kim, Jeong K. Lee
Summary: This study found that thylakoid membranes can generate NADPH as a reducing power source under light. However, they can also generate singlet oxygen, causing oxidative damage. By managing the formation of reactive oxygen species and removing hydrogen peroxide, the sustainability of thylakoid membranes can be improved.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gao Chen, Yuelei Cao, Huairong Zhong, Xiaodong Wang, Yanle Li, Xiaoyan Cui, Xiaoyuan Lu, Xiangdong Bi, Meixue Dai
Summary: Serine/threonine kinases (STKs) are crucial for prokaryotic cellular functions, and in this study, the roles of the STK genes spkD and spkG in fatty acid biosynthesis of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 were investigated. Knocking out spkD and spkG genes led to lower levels of certain fatty acids and altered expression of fatty acid desaturase genes, indicating their importance in polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and potential for genetic engineering in cyanobacteria.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dawei Dai, Janaki S. Mudunkothge, Mary Galli, Si Nian Char, Ruth Davenport, Xiaojin Zhou, Jeffery L. Gustin, Gertraud Spielbauer, Junya Zhang, W. Brad Barbazuk, Bing Yang, Andrea Gallavotti, A. Mark Settles
Summary: The paternal imprinting of Ded1 in maize contributes to the xenia effect by regulating the pace of endosperm development. This study provides evidence for the existence of xenia effects and reveals the regulatory mechanism of endosperm development.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Liang Xiao, Liuying Lu, Wendan Zeng, Xiaohong Shang, Sheng Cao, Huabing Yan
Summary: This study investigated the molecular implications of genome-dosage effects in cassava by studying the methylomes and lncRNAomes of diploid and autotetraploid cassava. The study found that transposable elements suppressed adjacent protein coding gene expression, while activating the expression of nearby long non-coding RNAs in the cassava genome. The DNA methylation variation in DNA transposons and retrotransposons may be direct adaptive responses to the dosage of all coding genes and lncRNAs, respectively.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sanober Farheen Memon, Muhammad Mahmood Ali, J. Tony Pembroke, Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, Elfed Lewis
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT
(2018)
Review
Microbiology
J. Tony Pembroke, Michael P. Ryan
Article
Microbiology
Lorraine Quinn, Patricia Armshaw, Tewfik Soulimane, Con Sheehan, Michael P. Ryan, J. Tony Pembroke
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Michael P. Ryan, Shannon Slattery, J. Tony Pembroke
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bashir Ghanim, John G. Murnane, Lisa O'Donoghue, Ronan Courtney, J. Tony Pembroke, Thomas F. O'Dwyer
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shannon Slattery, J. Tony Pembroke, John G. Murnane, Michael P. Ryan
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Review
Microbiology
Michael P. Ryan, J. Tony Pembroke
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Fernanda Zamboni, Chinonso Okoroafor, Michael P. Ryan, J. Tony Pembroke, Michal Strozyk, Mario Culebras, Maurice N. Collins
Summary: Contamination of biomaterials by Staphylococcus aureus is a major issue in clinical settings, with strategies to decrease biofilm-related infections being vital for the success of implantable devices. Utilizing hyaluronic acid (HA) with crosslinking strategies and reinforcing fibres can produce tailored gels with antimicrobial properties. These HA derivatives show excellent mechanical properties and antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bashir Ghanim, James J. Leahy, Thomas F. O'Dwyer, Witold Kwapinski, J. Tony Pembroke, John G. Murnane
Summary: The study explores the use of modified hydrochar derived from acid-treated poultry litter for the adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Results show pH-dependent adsorption of Cr(VI) with high capacity and potential for regeneration.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Daniel T. Hickey, Daniel J. Hayes, J. Tony Pembroke, Michael P. Ryan, James J. Leahy
Summary: This study examined the effects of solvent extraction on novel feedstocks, revealing a strong association between Klason lignin levels and non-removed extractives. Additionally, total sugar determinations were lower following extractions, providing more accurate representations of structural cell-wall polysaccharides. Such determinations will assist in determining the best way to utilize novel feedstocks.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Sanober Farheen Memon, Ruoning Wang, Bob Strunz, Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, J. Tony Pembroke, Elfed Lewis
Summary: This review introduces a range of optical fibre-based sensors for measuring ethanol, primarily in aqueous solution. The sensors are classified into four groups based on measurement techniques: absorption, external interferometric, internal fibre grating, and plasmonic sensing. Comparison of these sensors is done based on their characteristic performance indicators, including sensitivity, resolution, and measurement range. The potential application areas of these sensors in ethanol production are discussed, with particular emphasis on their utilization in the industrial and medical sectors driven by the emerging internet of things (IoT). The review concludes with a summary of the current status and future prospects of optical fibre ethanol sensors for industrial use.
Review
Microbiology
Michael P. P. Ryan, Nicolas Carraro, Shannon Slattery, J. Tony Pembroke
Summary: Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs) are mosaics that integrate and excise into and from the host genome and can transfer to a specific host range. They encode adaptive functions and have undergone epidemiological and molecular characterization, revealing diversity and function. Comparative analysis shows conservation of key functions and the evolution of adaptive genes through gene acquisition in hotspots and variable regions catalyzed by element-encoded recombinases. SXT/R391 ICEs carry IS elements, transposons, and a mutagenic DNA polymerase PolV, and retain adaptive functions related to specific niches.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sanober Farheen Memon, Ruoning Wang, Bob Strunz, Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, J. Tony Pembroke, Elfed Lewis
Summary: This paper presents a novel plastic optical fiber (POF) sensor with a balloon-shaped heterocore structure for real-time measurement of ultra-low concentrations of ethanol in microalgal bioethanol production. The sensor demonstrates high sensitivity (3 x 10(6) %/RIU) and resolution (7.9 x 10(-6)RIU) in the ethanol concentration ranges of 20 to 80 %v/v, 1 to 10 %v/v, 0.1 to 1 %v/v, and 0.00633 to 0.0633 %v/v. It is a promising candidate for bioethanol production and ethanol sensing applications.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Edgardo Moreno, Earl A. Middlebrook, Pamela Altamirano-Silva, Sascha Al Dahouk, George F. Araj, Vilma Arce-Gorvel, Angela Arenas-Gamboa, Javier Ariza, Elias Barquero-Calvo, Giorgio Battelli, Wilson J. Bertu, Jose Maria Blasco, Mile Bosilkovski, Simeon Cadmus, Clayton C. Caswell, Jean Celli, Carlos Chacon-Diaz, Esteban Chaves-Olarte, Diego J. Comerci, Raquel Conde-Alvarez, Elizabeth Cook, Silvio Cravero, Maryam Dadar, Xavier De Boelle, Fabrizio De Massis, Ramon Diaz, Gabriela I. Escobar, Luis Fernandez-Lago, Thomas A. Ficht, Jeffrey T. Foster, Bruno Garin-Bastuji, Jacques Godfroid, Jean-Pierre Gorvel, Leyla Gueler, Sevil Erdenlig-Guerbilek, Amayel M. Gusi, Caterina Guzman-Verri, Jiang Hai, Gabriela Hernandez-Mora, Maite Iriarte, Nestor R. Jacob, Anne Keriel, Maamar Khames, Stephan Kohler, Jean-Jacques Letesson, Maite Loperena-Barber, Ignacio Lopez-Goni, John McGiven, Falk Melzer, Ricardo Mora-Cartin, Jacob Moran-Gilad, Pilar M. Munoz, Heinrich Neubauer, David O'Callaghan, Reuben Ocholi, Angel Onate, Piyush Pandey, Georgios Pappas, J. Tony Pembroke, Martin Roop, Nazaret Ruiz-Villalonos, Michael P. Ryan, Miriam Salvador-Bescos, Felix J. Sangari, Renato de Lima Santos, Aristarchos Seimenis, Gary Splitter, Marcela Suarez-Esquivel, Darem Tabbaa, Marcos David Trangoni, Renee M. Tsolis, Nieves Vizcaino, Gamal Wareth, Susan C. Welburn, Adrian Whatmore, Amaia Zuniga-Ripa, Ignacio Moriyon
Summary: Brucellae and Ochrobactrum spp. should be classified separately due to significant differences in structure, physiology, genomic traits, and pathogenicity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bashir Ghanim, Thomas F. O'Dwyer, James J. Leahy, Karin Willquist, Ronan Courtney, J. Tony Pembroke, John G. Murnane
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2020)