Emily R. Grace, Vanja Milenkovic, Katherine G. Hinton, Sabrine Dhaouadi, Diana Vinchira-Villarraga, Michael A. Brockhurst, Mojgan Rabiey, Robert W. Jackson
{"title":"Characterisation and In Planta Activity of Bacteriophages That Infect the Key Bacterial Species Associated With Acute Oak Decline","authors":"Emily R. Grace, Vanja Milenkovic, Katherine G. Hinton, Sabrine Dhaouadi, Diana Vinchira-Villarraga, Michael A. Brockhurst, Mojgan Rabiey, Robert W. Jackson","doi":"10.1111/1751-7915.70394","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1751-7915.70394","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Acute oak decline (AOD) is a complex disease of oak trees (<i>Quercus</i> spp.) which results in bleeding stem cankers and potential tree mortality. A polymicrobial complex is implicated in causing AOD, of which the most commonly isolated species are <i>Brenneria goodwinii</i> and <i>Gibbsiella quercinecans</i>. Bacteriophages (phages), natural predators of bacteria, can act as biocontrol agents that reduce bacterial infections in trees. In this study, the first phages that lyse <i>B. goodwinii</i> and <i>G. quercinecans</i>, BREN6 and GIB1 phages respectively, were isolated from AOD-impacted trees. Genomic analyses and transmission electron microscopy showed that BREN6 is a novel phage type with siphovirus morphology, whereas GIB1 possesses characteristics typical of N4-like phages. While in vitro assays showed that each phage could effectively reduce their hosts' population growth for at least 24 h, application of the phages to either single or dual species communities of <i>B. goodwinii</i> and <i>G. quercinecans</i> in the stems of oak saplings showed that the phages had a minimal impact on their host populations, and in some trees actually resulted in higher bacterial populations. Our data show that the application of these phages does not alter the <i>in planta</i> population dynamics between <i>B. goodwinii</i> and <i>G. quercinecans</i>, and emphasises the importance of assessing phage effectiveness within natural settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":209,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Biotechnology","volume":"19 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1751-7915.70394","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148142191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
María-Isabel Recio, Jesús de la Torre, Javier Rocha-Martin, Isabel de la Mata, Juan Luis Ramos
{"title":"A Biotechnological Approach to Enzyme-Based Fertilisers: Immobilisation of Acid Phosphatases","authors":"María-Isabel Recio, Jesús de la Torre, Javier Rocha-Martin, Isabel de la Mata, Juan Luis Ramos","doi":"10.1111/1751-7915.70385","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1751-7915.70385","url":null,"abstract":"<p>We explore enzyme-based technologies as sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical fertilisers, addressing the challenges associated with using enzymes in free or immobilised form for agricultural applications. We use the metagenome-derived Class A acid phosphatase M2-32, selected for its high activity, broad pH tolerance and thermophilic properties, and evaluated its immobilisation on clay minerals to enhance stability and applicability in soils. Several clays were tested as immobilisation supports. Bentonite caused complete enzyme inactivation, while kaolin formed aggregates and was unsuitable. In contrast, palygorskite, sepiolite and agrozeolite adsorbed more than 99% of the added enzyme. However, only a fraction of the immobilised enzyme retained catalytic activity, with optimal performance observed at moderate protein loading (40–80 μg protein). Among the tested supports, palygorskite consistently provided the highest specific activity (22,000 ± 2200 U/mg), followed by sepiolite (11,000 ± 730 U/mg), whereas agrozeolite (2250 ± 40 U/mg) showed comparatively low activity. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy confirmed successful enzyme immobilisation without significant alteration of the clay structures. Immobilised M2-32 preserved a broad pH range (between 4 and 8.5) and thermophilic behaviour similar to the free enzyme, remaining active up to 50°C. Immobilisation increased substrate affinity while reducing V<sub>max</sub> relative to the free enzyme. To assess environmental compatibility, the effects of free and palygorskite-immobilised M2-32 on soil microbial communities were evaluated using corn rhizosphere microcosms with different organic matter contents. Metabarcoding high-throughput sequencing revealed that microbial diversity and community structure were primarily shaped by soil type, plant presence and incubation time. Enzyme application, whether free or immobilised, did not significantly alter microbial diversity or composition. Overall, these results support palygorskite-immobilised M2-32 as a promising, environmentally compatible candidate for enzyme-based fertiliser development.</p>","PeriodicalId":209,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Biotechnology","volume":"19 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1751-7915.70385","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148136095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lena Friebel, Thorsten Mascher, Christin Baumgärtel
{"title":"Bakteriopolis: Introducing Microbes to Society","authors":"Lena Friebel, Thorsten Mascher, Christin Baumgärtel","doi":"10.1111/1751-7915.70392","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1751-7915.70392","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microorganisms, while being fundamental to life on Earth, are often associated with negative perceptions and global crises. The underlying lack of microbial literacy hinders the ability to make informed decision-making on global challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and sustainability. To address this, innovative, research-based approaches are required to change how microbes are perceived. Bakteriopolis is a mobile travelling exhibition that brings the microbial world to public spaces. Interactive stations, playful and accessible formats, hands-on experiments and direct engagement with researchers foster curiosity and dialogue among diverse audiences. While enhancing public access to cutting-edge research, the exhibition provides scientists with a low-threshold opportunity to communicate their research and develop communication skills. At the same time, these strengths reveal inherent limitations of the mobile format, including logistical constraints and uneven audience reach, which contribute to evaluation bias. Building on these initial insights, the project aims to evolve into a permanent outreach format. This envisioned ‘Microbe School’ will serve as an extracurricular learning space for all ages, fostering public understanding and trust in science. In this way, Bakteriopolis promotes microbial literacy not as a one-time intervention but as a continuous, cross-generational learning journey, equipping society with the knowledge and curiosity to address future challenges through a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the hidden world of microbes.</p>","PeriodicalId":209,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Biotechnology","volume":"19 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1751-7915.70392","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148051295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kenneth Timmis, Zeynep Ceren Karahan, Jennifer A. Byrne, Jake M. Robinson, Patricia Bernal, Paul B. Rainey, Purificación López-García, Terry J. McGenity, Max Chavarria, Kazuo Sato, Willy Verstraete, Lars M. Blank, Rup Lal, María Francisca Colom, Juan Luis Ramos
{"title":"Scientists' Warning to Humanity: Unnecessary Bureaucracy Is a Global Impediment to Productivity, Advancement of Human and Planetary Wellbeing, Science and Sustainability","authors":"Kenneth Timmis, Zeynep Ceren Karahan, Jennifer A. Byrne, Jake M. Robinson, Patricia Bernal, Paul B. Rainey, Purificación López-García, Terry J. McGenity, Max Chavarria, Kazuo Sato, Willy Verstraete, Lars M. Blank, Rup Lal, María Francisca Colom, Juan Luis Ramos","doi":"10.1111/1751-7915.70371","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1751-7915.70371","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Bureaucracies are essential to the proper functioning of almost all human activities. However, they are diverse in their quality and success-promoting potential. While many bureaucratic measures make sense and are necessary for the wellbeing and success of their organisations, some are unnecessary or ill-conceived/implemented, and yet others may harm system functioning and achievement. Unnecessary bureaucratic measures limit productivity, waste vital resources and drain workforces of engagement, enthusiasm, motivation, commitment and cohesion. (<i>The term “unnecessary bureaucratic measures” used in this discourse is used in the sense of poor value and lacking a compelling basis</i>—<i>cost: benefit; see also GOV.UK 2020</i>—<i>but also includes poorly-</i><i>conceived or -implemented measures, measures delegated to frontline and other workers that could/should be handled by the administrations, online tools promoted as reducing workloads but that in fact increase work and frustration because they are poorly designed and/or not subjected to adequate quality control.</i>) They create frustration, anger and increased stress among those affected. Stress is considered by the World Health Organisation to be one of the foremost health crises of the 21st century. While the impact of unnecessary bureaucratic measures within an enterprise may go unnoticed by those not directly affected, the aggregate negative global impact on productivity, economic success and the wellbeing of workforces is concerning. Humankind is currently faced with a range of challenges, some existential, that urgently require solutions. Scientific research and discovery are generally considered to be major drivers of progress of humankind and a source of solutions to major problems and crises faced by society. Science innovation depends upon the creativity, originality and productivity of scientists. In the fields of biomedical sciences, the plant-agriculture-nutrition sciences, and the environmental sciences, progress in the past can be approximately quantified in terms of reduction in preventable human suffering, disease and premature death (as illustrated by the recent development of mRNA vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which saved millions of lives), as well as the resulting socio-economic benefits. Unnecessary bureaucratic measures needlessly slow down research progress by diverting the time and effort of scientists from their essential tasks—creative thinking and research—to mundane tasks, and are responsible for delays in humanitarian improvements that translate into avoidable suffering and premature loss of life. Unnecessary bureaucracy is a global crisis of diversion from primary essential tasks, lowered human achievement and ensuing frustration, that is intertwined with and reinforces other problems, such as societal fragmentation. It requires a global response. A new, fit-for-purpose framework is needed that supports the functioning of bureaucracies and the neces","PeriodicalId":209,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Biotechnology","volume":"19 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1751-7915.70371","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148051410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Salwa E. Gomaa, Jiawen Shen, Jingjing Li, Yangyang Liu, Chaonan Ma, Qiming Li, Guanbin Qi, Tieshan Teng
{"title":"Isolation of a Novel Lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phage Henu5 and Fitness Costs of Phage-Driven Resistance","authors":"Salwa E. Gomaa, Jiawen Shen, Jingjing Li, Yangyang Liu, Chaonan Ma, Qiming Li, Guanbin Qi, Tieshan Teng","doi":"10.1111/1751-7915.70389","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1751-7915.70389","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Phage therapy is increasingly recognised as a potential approach against antibiotic-resistant infections. Analogous to the rise of antibiotic resistance, bacteria can also evolve phage resistance, a process that frequently entails fitness costs. In this study, a new lytic <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> phage (Henu5) was isolated and characterised. Henu5 was classified within the <i>Caudoviricetes</i> class and displayed good biological characteristics. The Henu5 genome possesses 92,558 bp of linear dsDNA and a GC content of 49.36%. Additionally, three phage-resistant mutants, R3, R6 and R14, were isolated and investigated for adaptive trade-offs. Compared to wild-type, the phage-resistant mutants mostly exhibited fitness costs in growth, altered morphology, impaired adsorption, reduced biofilm and pyocyanin production and impaired motility, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, as well as increased susceptibility to various antibiotics. In vivo experiments revealed improved survival, alongside diminished colonisation and pathogenicity. Comparative genomics identified mutations in the genes <i>pilQ</i> (R3 and R14) and <i>pilR</i> (R6), both crucial for type IV pili (T4P) biosynthesis and potentially conferring phage resistance, with additional mutations related to the obtained trade-offs. Transcriptomic and real-time quantitative PCR proved that T4P-related genes, together with the <i>hmgA</i>, <i>galU</i>, <i>wzy</i>, <i>fliG</i>, <i>pslA</i>, <i>mexH</i> and <i>exoY</i> genes, were downregulated in all resistant mutants, while the <i>qscR</i> and <i>mvaT</i> genes were upregulated. Collectively, while phage resistance evolution remains an issue, this study suggests that the fitness costs of the phage-resistant mutants might be invaluable for effective phage therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":209,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Biotechnology","volume":"19 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1751-7915.70389","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148040133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stanislava Kralova, Peter Spacek, Johannes Gafriller, Matej Bezdicek, Viktoria Medvedcova, Joana Séneca, Jay Osvatic, Ulrike Grienke, Thomas Rattei, Olga N. Sekurova, Sergey B. Zotchev, Martin Zehl, Alexander Loy
{"title":"Kineochelins—A New Group of Siderophores From an Antarctic Bacterium","authors":"Stanislava Kralova, Peter Spacek, Johannes Gafriller, Matej Bezdicek, Viktoria Medvedcova, Joana Séneca, Jay Osvatic, Ulrike Grienke, Thomas Rattei, Olga N. Sekurova, Sergey B. Zotchev, Martin Zehl, Alexander Loy","doi":"10.1111/1751-7915.70386","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1751-7915.70386","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global rise of antimicrobial resistance has intensified the search for new microbial metabolites from underexplored environments and taxonomic groups. Extreme and geographically isolated habitats such as Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems represent promising reservoirs of biosynthetic diversity, particularly among rare and difficult-to-cultivate actinomycetes that may produce chemically diverse metabolites with potential biotechnological applications. Here, we report the characterization of kineochelins, a previously undescribed group of siderophores produced by the Antarctic isolate <i>Actinokineospora</i> sp. UV203, representing a difficult-to-cultivate actinomycete lineage. Structural elucidation revealed a set of closely related congeners with a mixed-ligand architecture consistent with metal-chelating activity. Genome mining combined with transcriptomic analysis identified a dedicated nonribosomal peptide synthetase-encoding biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for kineochelin production. Comparative genomic analyses indicated that, although kineochelin biosynthetic genes share limited similarity with known mixed-ligand siderophores, their gene content and organization differ substantially, suggesting a distinct biosynthetic lineage. Functional characterization of the culture supernatant and an enriched pre-purified kineochelin fraction demonstrated strong and selective iron chelation, with high affinity for ferric and ferrous iron. Crude culture extracts inhibited the growth of bacterial strains isolated from the same Antarctic environment, indicating that kineochelins may contribute to iron-mediated microbial competition. In addition, kineochelin-enriched pre-purified fractions showed moderate selective inhibitory activity against the opportunistic yeast pathogen <i>Nakaseomyces glabratus</i> and a clinical isolate of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> associated with invasive infection. These findings expand the chemical and biosynthetic diversity known within the genus <i>Actinokineospora</i> and demonstrate that Antarctic rare actinomycetes represent valuable sources of previously unexplored natural products. The discovery of kineochelins highlights the potential of genome-guided exploration of polar microorganisms for identifying bioactive metabolites with relevance for antimicrobial discovery and biotechnology.</p>","PeriodicalId":209,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Biotechnology","volume":"19 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1751-7915.70386","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148051394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yifeng Hu, Ying Yang, Xiaomin Hu, Jacques Mahillon, Zubin Chen, Han Xia
{"title":"Identification of the Integration/Excision Module and Regulatory Elements Involved in the Mobility of IME8, an Integrative and Mobilizable Element From Mosquitocidal Lysinibacillus sphaericus","authors":"Yifeng Hu, Ying Yang, Xiaomin Hu, Jacques Mahillon, Zubin Chen, Han Xia","doi":"10.1111/1751-7915.70387","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1751-7915.70387","url":null,"abstract":"<p><i>Lysinibacillus sphaericus</i>, a bacterium successfully used in the control of mosquitoes, bears its insecticidal traits in GI8, a recently identified mosquitocidal genomic island. GI8 is renamed IME8 in the present work, as it displays a typical genetic organization of an Integrative and Mobilizable Element (IME) and its circularized form is not self-conjugative but mobilizable by the pBsph-like plasmid p1593. The IME8 integration module (<i>int</i>-operon) encodes two integrase-like proteins (Int1 and Int2) belonging to the family of tyrosine recombinases, and a hypothetical protein (Hp3). All three ORFs are necessary and function as an essential excision unit of IME8. The chimeric construct “<i>attL</i>-<i>int1-int2-hp3-kan-attR</i>” (hereafter named mini-IME8 cassette) displays integrating property. The integration is specific to an <i>acnL</i>-<i>yolD</i>(<i>attB</i>)<i>-uvrX</i> operon target region, which is not only distributed in various <i>L. sphaericus</i> isolates but is also present among other <i>Lysinibacillus</i> species. The regulation module, <i>reg</i>-operon, encodes an HTH-domain-carrying protein (Reg16) and a putative lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO17). Knockout of the <i>reg</i>-operon remarkably increases IME8 excision and transcription levels of <i>int1</i>/<i>int2</i>/<i>hp3</i> compared to the wild-type situation. However, expression of <i>reg16</i> or the complete <i>reg</i>-operon both increase the <i>int</i>-operon promoter (P<sub>int</sub>) activity in <i>β</i>-galactosidase activity assays, suggesting a complex regulation of the <i>int</i>-operon.</p>","PeriodicalId":209,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Biotechnology","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1751-7915.70387","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148012839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Derived Fluorescent Probe for Selective Isolation of Bacterial Spores","authors":"Jaeyoung Yu, Tatsuru Okazaki, Yugo Kawabuchi, Chika Hayashida, Takahiro Muraoka, Tetsushi Mori","doi":"10.1111/1751-7915.70390","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1751-7915.70390","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In this study, we identify a peptide discovered through fluorescence-based screening of a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) library that preferentially associates with bacterial spores and evaluate its utility as a fluorescence-guided tool for spore isolation. Specifically, an eight-ornithine peptide conjugated with 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (Orn<sub>8</sub>-K-FAM) generates a distinct and spatially confined fluorescence signal in spores. Across multiple spore-forming bacterial species, more than 90% of spores were labelled by Orn<sub>8</sub>-K-FAM, whereas only a minor fraction of vegetative cells from non-spore-forming bacteria exhibited detectable fluorescence, indicating a high degree of preference at the cellular level under the conditions tested. To assess practical applicability, Orn<sub>8</sub>-K-FAM labeling was combined with flow-cytometric sorting, enabling fluorescence-guided isolation of spores from mixed microbial populations, including both a defined synthetic community and an environmentally derived bacterial fraction. Compared with conventional spore isolation approaches based on selective cultivation or heat-mediated inactivation of vegetative cells, this workflow provides a cultivation-independent means to separate spore-associated cellular states from heterogeneous microbial samples. This work highlights the potential of CPP-derived probes as analytical tools for spore-focused studies in applied and environmental microbiology, while providing a foundation for further investigation into the scope and mechanistic basis of CPP-spore interactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":209,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Biotechnology","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1751-7915.70390","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148012859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}