Non-human microbiome digest, September 15, 2014

Microbiomes of seals, sheep, pigs, raw milk, cheese, rubber, ocean, freshwater, acid mine drainage, deepsea basalt, and insects.

Mammal microbiome

Isolated faecal bacterial communities found for Weddell seals, Leptonychotes weddellii, at White Island, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica – Jonathan C. Banks – Polar Biology

“Here, we used 16S sequences obtained from clone libraries to characterise the faecal microbiota of Weddell seals breeding in McMurdo Sound and at White Island, Antarctica.”

Study of methanogen communities associated with different rumen protozoal populations – Alejandro Belanche – FEMS Microbiology Ecology

“Rumen protozoa were harvested from totally-faunated sheep and six protozoal fractions (plus free-living microbes) were generated by sequential filtration. “

Temporal changes and the effect of subtherapeutic concentrations of antibiotics in the gut microbiota of swine – Devin B. Holman and Martin R. Chénier – FEMS Microbiology Ecology

“In this study, the effect of two antibiotics on the swine gut microbiota over a 19-week monitoring period was investigated using Illumina-based sequencing.”

Development of a phylogenetic microarray for comprehensive analysis of ruminal bacterial communities – M. Kim – Journal of Applied Microbiology

“The utility of the RumenBactArray was tested using fractionated rumen samples obtained from sheep fed two different diets.”

Characterization of the Fecal Microbiota of Pigs before and after Inoculation with “Brachyspira hampsonii” – Matheus O. Costa – PLOS ONE

“Fecal microbiota profiles were generated based on amplification and sequencing of the cpn60 universal target sequence from 89 samples from 18 pigs collected at −8, −5, −3 and 0 days post-inoculation, and at termination.”

Spatial heterogeneity of gut microbiota reveals multiple bacterial communities with distinct characteristics – Hsiao-Pei Lu – Scientific Reports

“We analyzed bacterial communities of six distinct gut sites (the food bolus and mucus layer of the proximal small intestine, cecum and distal large intestine), using wild folivorous flying squirrels.”

Insect microbiome

Dynamics of midgut microflora and dengue virus impact on life history traits in Aedes aegypti – Casey L. Hill – Acta Tropica

“Here we investigated the effects of the midgut microbial environment and dengue infection on several fitness characteristics among three strains of the primary dengue virus vector mosquito Aedes aegypti. “

Anterior Foregut Microbiota of the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Explored Using Deep 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing from Individual Insects – Elizabeth E. Rogers – PLOS ONE

Here, a survey of microbiota associated with the GWSS anterior foregut was conducted.”

The bacterial microbiota of Stolotermes ruficeps (Stolotermitidae), a phylogenetically basal termite endemic to New Zealand – Nicola M. Reid – FEMS Microbiology Ecology

“We identified core bacterial taxa involved in gut processes through combined DNA- and RNA (cDNA)-based pyrosequencing analysis of 16S rRNA from five S. ruficeps colonies.”

Sponge and coral microbiome

Molecular diversity of fungal and bacterial communities in the marine sponge Dragmacidon reticulatum – Michel R. Z. Passarini – Journal of Basic Microbiology

“The present work aimed to investigate the diversity of bacteria and filamentous fungi of southern Atlantic Ocean marine sponge Dragmacidon reticulatum using cultivation-independent approaches.”

Host-specific microbial communities in three sympatric North Sea sponges – Mohd Azrul Naim – FEMS Microbiology Ecology

“In this study, we assessed the diversity of the microbial communities hosted by three sympatric sponges living in a semi-enclosed North Sea environment using pyrosequencing of bacterial and archaeal 16S ribosomal RNA gene fragments.”

Plant microbiome

Micro-organisms in latex and natural rubber coagula of Hevea brasiliensis and their impact on rubber composition, structure and properties – M. Salomez – Journal of Applied Microbiology

“This review synthesizes the current knowledge on microbial populations in latex and natural rubber coagula of H. brasiliensis and the changes they induce on the biochemistry and technical properties of natural rubber during maturation.”

Soils, sediments, and rocks microbiomes

A role for biotic filtering in driving phylogenetic clustering in soil bacterial communities – Marta Goberna – Global Ecology and Biogeography

“Here, we used phylogeny-based methods to discern whether the coexistence of evolutionarily related soil bacteria results from abiotic and/or biotic filtering.”

Microbial community composition and in-silico predicted metabolic potential reflect biogeochemical gradients between distinct peatland types – Zuzana Urbanová and Jiří Bárta – FEMS Microbiology Ecology

“..we investigated biogeochemical parameters and microbial community composition in a bog, a fen and two SSF using high throughput barcoded sequencing of the small ribosomal subunit (SSU) variable region V4.”

Deep-biosphere consortium of fungi and prokaryotes in Eocene subseafloor basalts – S. Bengtson – Geobiology

“We report here a consortium of fossilized prokaryotic and eukaryotic micro-organisms, occupying cavities in deep-drilled vesicular basalt from the Emperor Seamounts, Pacific Ocean, 67.5 m below seafloor (mbsf). “

Endolithic bacterial communities in rock coatings from Kärkevagge, Swedish Lapland – Cassandra L. Marnocha – FEMS Microbiology and Ecology

“Using 454 Roche pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, nine rock coating samples from three different coating mineralogies were sequenced. “

Water microbiome

Spatial and seasonal variation in diversity and structure of microbial biofilms on marine plastics in Northern European waters – Sonja Oberbeckmann – FEMS Microbiology Ecology

“Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing analysis revealed that plastisphere microbial communities on PET fragments varied both with season and location”

Biogeographic patterns in ocean microbes emerge in a neutral agent-based model – Ferdi L. Hellweger – Science

“We quantify the role of neutral processes by simulating division, mutation, and death of 100,000 individual marine bacteria cells with full 1 million–base-pair genomes in a global surface ocean circulation model. “

Microbial gardening in the ocean’s twilight zone: Detritivorous metazoans benefit from fragmenting, rather than ingesting, sinking detritus – Daniel J. Mayor – BioEssays

“Here we speculate that this apparently counterintuitive behaviour is an example of ‘microbial gardening’, a strategy that exploits the enzymatic and biosynthetic capabilities of microorganisms to facilitate the ‘gardener’s’ access to a suite of otherwise unavailable compounds that are essential for metazoan life.”

Diversity and spatiotemporal dynamics of bacterial communities: physicochemical and other drivers along an acid mine drainage – Aurélie Volant – FEMS Microbiology Ecology

“… biodiversity and spatiotemporal distribution of bacterial communities were characterized using T-RFLP fingerprinting and high-throughput sequencing. “

Diversity and activity of marine bacterioplankton during a diatom bloom in the North Sea assessed by total RNA and pyrotag sequencing – Anna Klindworth – Marine Genomics

“In this study we re-analyzed samples from the initial study by total community RNA (metatranscriptomics) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.”

Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure on Coastal Bacterial Community Abundance and Diversity – Angeliki Marietou and Douglas H. Bartlett – Applied and Environmental Microbiology

“Culturable high-pressure-surviving bacteria were obtained and found to be phylogenetically similar to isolates from cold and/or deep-sea environments. “

A high-throughput sequencing ecotoxicology study of freshwater bacterial communities and their responses to tebuconazole – Noémie Pascault – FEMS Microbiology Ecology

“Pyrosequencing revealed that bacterial diversity was higher in the river than in the lakes and in previously exposed sites than in pristine sites.”

Food Microbiology

Microbial Ecology Dynamics Reveal a Succession in the Core Microbiota Involved in the Ripening of Pasta Filata Caciocavallo Pugliese Cheese – Ilaria De Pasquale – Applied and Environmental Microbiology

“Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA targeting RNA, community-level physiological profiles made with Biolog EcoPlates, proteolysis, and volatile component (VOC) analyses were mainly used to characterize the manufacture and ripening of the pasta filata cheese Caciocavallo Pugliese.”

Tracing the origin of raw milk from farm by using Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA) fingerprinting of microbiota – Maria Feligini – Food Control

“A total of 64 markers within the range 279–756 bp were detected on the thirty-eight bulk milk samples, none of which was common to all the patterns. “

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Non-human microbiome, August 11, 2014

Microbiomes of Eurasian Magpie, mosquitoes, ticks, 218 insect species, sponges, plants, and olives.

Bird microbiome

Effect of Incubation on Bacterial Communities of Eggshells in a Temperate Bird, the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) – Won Young Lee – PLOS ONE

“In this study, we employed culture-independent methods, quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, to elucidate the effect of incubation on the bacterial abundance and bacterial community composition on the eggshells of the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica).”

Arthropod microbiome

Native microbiome impedes vertical transmission of Wolbachia in Anopheles mosquitoes
Grant L. Hughes – PNAS USA

“We show the native microbiota of Anopheles impede vertical transmission of Wolbachia. Antibiotic microbiome perturbation enables Wolbachia transmission in two Anopheles species.”

Microbial Population Analysis of the Salivary Glands of Ticks; A Possible Strategy for the Surveillance of Bacterial Pathogens – Yongjin Qiu – PLOS ONE

“Bacterial communities in each salivary gland were characterized by 16S amplicon pyrosequencing using a 454 GS-Junior Next Generation Sequencer. The Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) Classifier was used to classify sequence reads at the genus level. “

Insect Gut Bacterial Diversity Determined by Environmental Habitat, Diet, Developmental Stage, and Phylogeny of Host – Ji-Hyun Yun – Applied and Environmental Microbiology

In this study, we comprehensively characterized insect-associated gut bacteria of 305 individuals belonging to 218 species in 21 taxonomic orders, using 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes.

Sponge microbiome

Genomic analysis reveals versatile heterotrophic capacity of a potentially symbiotic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium in sponge – Ren-Mao Tian – Environmental Microbiology

“Here, we present and analyze the first genome of sponge-associated SOB using a recently developed metagenomic binning strategy”

Plant microbiome

Foliage Friendships (behind paywall) – Peter Andrey Smith – Scientific American

“Microbial communities on a plant’s roots, stems and leaves may improve crop growth”

Effects of Fusarium oxysporum on rhizosphere microbial communities of two cucumber genotypes with contrasting Fusarium wilt resistance under hydroponic condition – Ju Ding – European Journal of Plant Pathology

“PCR-DGGE analysis of 16S rDNA fragments indicated that following FO inoculation, significant changes in the bacterial structure isolated from the root surfaces of susceptible plants were observed, such as an increased diversity index, a decreased evenness index, and the occurrence of several types of bacteria that decomposed organic substances.”

Food microbiology

Open-refrigerated retail display case temperature profile and its impact on product quality and microbiota of stored baby spinach – Liping Kou – Food Control

“All bags were immediately loaded in the display cases and the overall visual quality, tissue electrolyte leakage, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and psychrotrophic bacteria were evaluated for each bag. “

Diversity and dynamics of the microbial community on decomposing wheat straw during mushroom compost production – Xi Zhang – Bioresouce Technology

“The development of communities of three important composting players including actinobacteria, fungi and clostridia was explored during the composting of wheat straw for mushroom production. “

Genetic diversity and dynamics of bacterial and yeast strains associated to Spanish-style green table-olive fermentations in large manufacturing companies – Helena Lucena-Padrós – International Journal of Food Microbiology

“We have genotyped a total of 1045 microbial isolates obtained along the fermentation time of Spanish-style green table olives from the fermentation yards (patios) of two large manufacturing companies in the province of Sevilla, south of Spain.”

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Microbiome digest, August 7, 2014

Microbiome and caries, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Microbiomes of fish, dogs, and mosses, microscopic life in an asphalt lake, and the Picks.

Human mouth microbiome

Identification of the Microbiota in Carious Dentin Lesions Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing – Junko Obata – PLOS ONE

“In the present study, the bacterial communities in the carious dentin of Japanese subjects were analyzed comprehensively with molecular approaches using the 16S rRNA gene.”

Human gut microbiome

The Human Gut Microbiome as a Screening Tool for Colorectal Cancer – Joseph P. Zackular, Mary A.M. Rogers, Mack T. Ruffin IV, and Patrick D. Schloss – Cancer Prevention Research

“Analysis of the gut microbiome from stool samples revealed both an enrichment and depletion of several bacterial populations associated with adenomas and carcinomas.”

Manipulation of Microbiome, a Promising Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases – Dapeng Jin, Hongyu Zhang, and Jun Sun – Clinical & Cellular Immunology

“In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of how changes in microbiota may affect the pathogenesis of IBD. “

A perspective on the complexity of dietary fiber structures and their potential effect on the gut microbiota – Bruce R. Hamaker, Yunus E. Tuncil – Journal of Molecular Biology

“the article encourages the building of a framework of information to manipulate the colon microbiota in a predicted way for improved health”

 

Human microbiome after death

Distinctive thanatomicrobiome signatures found in the blood and internal organs of humans – Ismail Can – Journal of Microbiological Methods

“We compared the effectiveness of two methods by amplifying the 16S rRNA genes and sequencing the amplicons from four cadavers”

Animal models of human microbiome

Disturbance of the gut microbiota in early-life selectively affects visceral pain in adulthood without impacting cognitive or anxiety-related behaviors in male rats
S.M. O’Mahony – Neuroscience

“Neonatal antibiotic treatment leads to an increase in visceral sensitivity in adulthood in rats.”

Dog microbiome

The Unculturables: targeted isolation of bacterial species associated with canine periodontal health or disease from dental plaque – Ian J Davis, Christopher Bull, Alexander Horsfall, Ian Morley and Stephen Harris – BMC Microbiology

“Using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) directed approach a range of microbiological media were screened and optimized to enrich for previously uncultivated target species. A systematic screening methodology was then employed to isolate the species of interest. ‘

Fish microbiome

Characterization of Microbiota Composition and Presence of Selected Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Carriage Water of Ornamental Fish – Lenka Gerzova – PLOS ONE

“In this study we therefore characterized the prevalence of selected antibiotic resistance genes in the microbiota found in the carriage water of ornamental fish originating from 3 different continents.”

Insect microbiome

The mosquito microbiota influences vector competence for human pathogens – Nathan J Dennison, Natapong Jupatanakul, George Dimopoulos – Current Opinion in Insect Science

“Understanding the interaction between the vector, its microbiota and transmitted pathogens will provide novel opportunities to limit disease transmission.”

Plant microbiome

Bacterial-biota dynamics of eight bryophyte species from different ecosystems
Faisal Hammad Mekky Koua – Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences

“..we utilized the 16S rRNA gene PCR-DGGE and subsequent phylogenetic analyses to investigate the bacterial community of eight bryophyte species collected from three distinct ecosystems from western Japan.”

Soil and water microbiome

Two Neumann U students discover new types of viruses – CatholicPhilly.com

“They collected arthrobacter (a bacteria present in soil) from under trees and near lakes, found and filtered out the phages that were present, and then studied phage anatomy and life cycles.”

Water droplets in oil are microhabitats for microbial life – Rainer U. Meckenstock – Science

“In Pitch Lake, Trinidad and Tobago—the world’s largest asphalt lake—we found that microorganisms are metabolically active in minuscule water droplets (1 to 3 microliters) entrapped in oil. “

Microbiome of the built environment

Halophilic Microorganisms Are Responsible for the Rosy Discolouration of Saline Environments in Three Historical Buildings with Mural Paintings – Jörg D. Ettenauer – PLOS ONE

“In order to get a complete overview of this biodeterioration process, we investigated the microbial communities in saline environments causing the rosy discolouration of mural paintings in three Austrian historical buildings using a combination of culture-dependent and -independent techniques as well as microscopic techniques.”

Metagenomics

High-resolution metagenomics – Eran Mick & Rotem Sorek – Nature Biotechnology

In this issue, Nielsen et al. present a powerful method for interpreting metagenomic data at the level of individual genomes without relying on reference sequences of cultured isolates, which can be generated for only a small fraction of microbial life.

Microbes in the News

The Quantified Microbiome Self – Carl Zimmer – National Geographic

“But as I read the journal Genome Biology today, I decided that someday I might surrender to the Quantified Self movement. I’ll just have to wait till I can track my trillions of microbes from one day to the next.”

Science and Career

Ph.D.’s, come out of the closet! – Lina Nilsson – Science

“If you promise not to tell Fisher’s Ph.D. adviser (or mine), I’ll let you in on this well-hidden truth: Fisher isn’t planning to pursue an academic career.”

Bik’s Picks

Stress during pregnancy can be passed down through generations, rat study shows – Science Daily

Scientists investigating pregnancies in four generations of rats show that inherited epigenetic effects of stress could affect pregnancies for generations.”

This Is Your Brain on Fish – James Hamblin – The Atlantic

Thicker, stronger, and more resilient. Once a week is all it takes, new research says.”

10 Great Novels That Will Make You More Passionate About Science – Charlie Jane Anders – io9

A lot of the best science fiction features scientists who solve problems and make breakthroughs.”

Scientist looking forward to weekend of binge-experimenting – The Allium

Imperial college Scientist Dr. Lou Pole announced earlier today that he was going to spend the entirety of this weekend binge-experimenting.”

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Non-human microbiomes, June 5

Meta-analysis of avian gut microbiomes, mosquitos, microbes and oil-spills, and fungi and viruses found on corals and sponges.

Bird microbiome

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.23.11 AMCharacterizing the avian gut microbiota: membership, driving influences, and potential function – David W. Waite – Frontiers in Microbiology, Microbial Symbioses

“In this study, we present the first meta-analysis of the avian gut microbiota, using 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained from a range of publicly available clone-library and amplicon pyrosequencing data. “

Insect microbiome

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.24.12 AMPyrosequencing 16S rRNA genes of bacteria associated with wild tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus: a pilot study – Guillaume Minard – Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

“We surveyed the bacteria associated with field populations of Ae. albopictus from Madagascar by pyrosequencing 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Different aspects of amplicon preparation and sequencing depth were tested to optimize the breadth of bacterial diversity identified”

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.24.56 AMMultifaceted Defense against Antagonistic Microbes in Developing Offspring of the Parasitoid Wasp Ampulex compressa (Hymenoptera, Ampulicidae) – Katharina Weiss – PLOS ONE

“Larvae of the emerald cockroach wasp, Ampulex compressa, sanitize their cockroach hosts, Periplaneta americana, with a cocktail of nine antimicrobials comprising mainly (R)-(-)-mellein and micromolide.”

Invertebrate microbiome

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 6.19.53 PMReview: Fungal association with sessile marine invertebrates – Oded Yarden – Frontiers in Microbiology, Microbial Symbioses

“The ecological function of fungi in association with sessile marine animals is complex and is founded on a combination of factors such as fungal origin, host health, environmental conditions and the presence of other resident or invasive microorganisms in the host.”

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 6.19.09 PMGenerating viral metagenomes from the coral holobiont – Karen D. Weynberg – Frontiers in Microbiology, Virology

“Here we present the first protocol for isolating, purifying and amplifying viral nucleic acids from corals based on mechanical disruption of cells. This method produces at least 50% higher yields of viral nucleic acids, has very low levels of cellular sequence contamination and captures wider viral diversity than previously used chemical-based extraction methods.”

Plant microbiome

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.26.58 AMColonization of plants by human pathogenic bacteria in the course of organic vegetable production – Andreas Hoffman – Frontiers in Microbiology, Plant-Microbe Interaction

“In this study laboratory experiments in axenic and soil systems following common practices in organic farming were conducted to identify the minimal dose needed for bacterial colonization of plants and to identify possible factors like bacterial species or serovariation, plant species or organic fertilizer types used, influencing the success of plant colonization by human pathogenic bacteria”

Water microbiome

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.28.03 AMThe polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation potential of Gulf of Mexico native coastal microbial communities after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill – Anthony D. Kappell – Frontiers in Microbiology, Aquatic Microbiology

“To investigate the Gulf Coast beach microbial community response to hydrocarbon exposure, we examined the functional gene diversity, bacterial community composition, and PAH degradation capacity of a heavily oiled and non-oiled beach following the oil exposure. “

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.36.29 AMComparison of prokaryotic community structure from Mediterranean and Atlantic saltern concentrator ponds by a metagenomic approach – Ana B. Fernández – Frontiers in Microbiology, Extreme Microbiology

“We analyzed the prokaryotic community structure of a saltern pond with 21% total salts located in Isla Cristina, Huelva, Southwest Spain, close to the Atlantic ocean coast. “

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.32.42 AMConversion of crude oil to methane by a microbial consortium enriched from oil reservoir production waters – Carolina Berdugo-Clavijo – Frontiers in Microbiology, Microbial Physiology and Metabolism

“Microbial community analysis revealed that the enrichment culture was dominated by members of the genus Smithella, Methanosaeta, and Methanoculleus. However, a shift in microbial community occurred following incubation of the enrichment in the sandstone columns. “

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.33.20 AMNatural oil slicks fuel surface water microbial activities in the northern Gulf of Mexico – Kai Ziervogel – Frontiers in Microbiology, Aquatic Microbiology

“These results demonstrate that the formation of oil slicks and activities of oil-degrading bacteria result in a temporal offset of microbial cycling of organic matter, affecting food web interactions and carbon cycling in surface waters over cold seeps.”

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.34.20 AMRecoding of the stop codon UGA to glycine by a BD1-5/SN-2 bacterium and niche partitioning between Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria in a tidal sediment microbial community naturally selected in a laboratory chemostat – Anna Hanke – Frontiers in Microbiology, Evolutionary and Genomic Microbiology

“Metagenomics, proteomics and fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that this simplified community contained both a potential sulfur oxidizing Gammaproteobacteria (at 24 ± 2% abundance) and a member of the BD1-5/SN-2 candidate phylum (at 7 ± 6% abundance). “

Deep earth microbiome

Screen Shot 2014-06-05 at 11.35.07 AMChanges in the deep subsurface microbial biosphere resulting from a field-scale CO2 geosequestration experiment – Andre Mu – Frontiers in Microbiology, Terrestrial Microbiology

“This study demonstrates a successful new in situ sampling approach for detecting microbial community changes associated with an scCO2 geosequestration event.”

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