Applied and Environmental Science
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceGenetic Modification of Sodalis Species by DNA TransductionA large number of economically important insects maintain intimate associations with maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria. Due to the inherent nature of these associations, insect endosymbionts cannot be usually isolated in pure culture or genetically manipulated.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental SciencePhenoGMM: Gaussian Mixture Modeling of Cytometry Data Quantifies Changes in Microbial Community StructureMicroorganisms are vital components in various ecosystems on Earth. In order to investigate the microbial diversity, researchers have largely relied on the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences from DNA.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceTargeted Conservative Cointegrate Formation Mediated by IS26 Family Members Requires Sequence Identity at the Reacting EndThe IS26 family includes the ISs that are commonly found associated with antibiotic resistance genes in multiply resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. IS26 is most prevalent in Gram-negative species and can generate the clusters of antibiotic resistance genes interspersed with directly oriented IS26 seen in multiply resistant pathogens.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceSoil Health Management Enhances Microbial Nitrogen Cycling Capacity and ActivityConservation agriculture practices that promote soil health have distinct and lasting effects on microbial populations involved with soil nitrogen (N) cycling. In particular, using a leguminous winter cover crop (hairy vetch) promoted the expression of key functional genes involved in soil N cycling, equaling or exceeding the effects of inorganic N fertilizer.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceAmplicon Sequencing-Based Bipartite Network Analysis Confirms a High Degree of Specialization and Modularity for Fungi and Prokaryotes in DeadwoodDeadwood is important for our forest ecosystems. It feeds and houses many organisms, e.g., fungi and prokaryotes, with many different species contributing to its decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Editor's Pick Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Consortium Containing Pseudomonas and Bacillus Species Synergistically Degrades Polyethylene Terephthalate PlasticWhile several research groups are utilizing purified enzymes to break down postconsumer PET to the monomers TPA and ethylene glycol to produce new PET products, here, we present a group of five soil bacteria in culture that are able to partially degrade this polymer. To date, mixed Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. biodegradation of PET has not been described, and this work highlights the possibility of using...
Resource Report | Applied and Environmental ScienceConjugal DNA Transfer in Sodalis glossinidius, a Maternally Inherited Symbiont of Tsetse FliesTsetse flies are the insect vectors of T. brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness—a zoonotic disease that inflicts a substantial economic cost on a broad region of sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, tsetse flies can be infected with the bacterium S. glossinidius to establish an asymptomatic chronic infection. This infection can be inherited by...
Commentary | Applied and Environmental ScienceMetagenome Proteins and Database ContaminationContinued influx of metagenome-derived proteins with misannotated taxonomy into conventional databases, including RefSeq, threatens to eliminate the value of taxonomy identifiers. To prevent this, urgent efforts should be undertaken by submitters of metagenomic data sets as well as by database managers.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceRaman Spectroscopy-Based Measurements of Single-Cell Phenotypic Diversity in Microbial PopulationsMicrobial cells that live in the same community can exist in different physiological and morphological states that change as a function of spatiotemporal variations in environmental conditions. This phenomenon is commonly known as phenotypic heterogeneity and/or diversity. Measuring this plethora of cellular expressions is needed to better understand and manage microbial processes. However, most tools to study phenotypic diversity only...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceHumidity and Deposition Solution Play a Critical Role in Virus Inactivation by Heat Treatment of N95 RespiratorsShortages of personal protective equipment, including N95 respirators, during the coronavirus (CoV) disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have highlighted the need to develop effective decontamination strategies for their reuse. This is particularly important in health care settings for reducing exposure to respiratory viruses, like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. Although several...