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Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Oct 2020
Topics: Algorithms; Communicable Diseases; Digital Technology; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Machine Learning; Microbiology
PubMed: 32622954
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2020.06.031 -
Environmental Microbiology Jul 2021Astrobiology is mistakenly regarded by some as a field confined to studies of life beyond Earth. Here, we consider life on Earth through an astrobiological lens. Whereas...
Astrobiology is mistakenly regarded by some as a field confined to studies of life beyond Earth. Here, we consider life on Earth through an astrobiological lens. Whereas classical studies of microbiology historically focused on various anthropocentric sub-fields (such as fermented foods or commensals and pathogens of crop plants, livestock and humans), addressing key biological questions via astrobiological approaches can further our understanding of all life on Earth. We highlight potential implications of this approach through the articles in this Environmental Microbiology special issue 'Ecophysiology of Extremophiles'. They report on the microbiology of places/processes including low-temperature environments and chemically diverse saline- and hypersaline habitats; aspects of sulphur metabolism in hypersaline lakes, dysoxic marine waters, and thermal acidic springs; biology of extremophile viruses; the survival of terrestrial extremophiles on the surface of Mars; biological soils crusts and rock-associated microbes of deserts; subsurface and deep biosphere, including a salticle formed within Triassic halite; and interactions of microbes with igneous and sedimentary rocks. These studies, some of which we highlight here, contribute to our understanding of the spatiotemporal reach of Earth'sfunctional biosphere, and the tenacity of terrestrial life. Their findings will help set the stage for future work focused on the constraints for life, and how organisms adapt and evolve to circumvent these constraints.
Topics: Earth, Planet; Ecosystem; Environmental Microbiology; Exobiology; Extraterrestrial Environment; Humans
PubMed: 33817931
DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15499 -
Current Biology : CB Dec 2021Fungi are key organisms of the biosphere with major roles in organic-matter decomposition, element cycling, plant pathogenicity, and symbioses in aquatic and terrestrial...
Fungi are key organisms of the biosphere with major roles in organic-matter decomposition, element cycling, plant pathogenicity, and symbioses in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The vast majority exhibit a filamentous, branching growth form and are aerobic chemoorganotrophs that derive carbon and energy from organic substances, and are particularly associated with soil, the plant-root zone, and rock surfaces. It is now known that some fungi are lithotrophs, deriving energy from the oxidation of inorganic materials, whereas others are photoheterotrophs, deriving additional energy from light for organic matter utilization when oxygen is limited. This means that fungi are of much wider environmental significance than previously thought and explains their ubiquity in locations previously thought to be inimical to fungal existence, such as the deep subsurface and other anaerobic locations. In addition to such free-living species, fungi associated with photosynthetic partners are also of profound biosphere importance. For example, lichens, which are composed of a symbiotic association between a fungus and a phototrophic alga and/or cyanobacterium, are pioneer colonizers and bioweathering agents of rocks and minerals. Mycorrhizas are symbiotic, plant-root-associated fungi found to colonize the majority of plant genera, where they improve plant nutrition through solubilization of essential metals and phosphate from soil minerals. Biomineralization in the soil can also immobilize toxic metals in the vicinity of plant roots, thereby benefiting plant colonization and facilitating revegetation of contaminated habitats. Wherever fungi are found, transformation of metals and minerals is a key aspect of their activity, with biomineralization an important feature. Fungal biomineralization is an important facet of geomycology - namely the roles of fungi in geochemical and geophysical processes. This article seeks to highlight the concept of biomineralization as applied to fungi, the occurrence and significance of important fungal biominerals in natural and synthetic environments, and the applied potential of fungal biomineralization in nanobiotechnology.
Topics: Biomineralization; Fungi; Metals; Minerals; Mycorrhizae; Plant Roots; Plants; Soil; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 34932960
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.10.041 -
Microbial Biotechnology Jun 2023There is much human disadvantage and unmet need in the world, including deficits in basic resources and services considered to be human rights, such as drinking water,...
There is much human disadvantage and unmet need in the world, including deficits in basic resources and services considered to be human rights, such as drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, healthy nutrition, access to basic healthcare, and a clean environment. Furthermore, there are substantive asymmetries in the distribution of key resources among peoples. These deficits and asymmetries can lead to local and regional crises among peoples competing for limited resources, which, in turn, can become sources of discontent and conflict. Such conflicts have the potential to escalate into regional wars and even lead to global instability. Ergo: in addition to moral and ethical imperatives to level up, to ensure that all peoples have basic resources and services essential for healthy living and to reduce inequalities, all nations have a self-interest to pursue with determination all available avenues to promote peace through reducing sources of conflicts in the world. Microorganisms and pertinent microbial technologies have unique and exceptional abilities to provide, or contribute to the provision of, basic resources and services that are lacking in many parts of the world, and thereby address key deficits that might constitute sources of conflict. However, the deployment of such technologies to this end is seriously underexploited. Here, we highlight some of the key available and emerging technologies that demand greater consideration and exploitation in endeavours to eliminate unnecessary deprivations, enable healthy lives of all and remove preventable grounds for competition over limited resources that can escalate into conflicts in the world. We exhort central actors: microbiologists, funding agencies and philanthropic organisations, politicians worldwide and international governmental and non-governmental organisations, to engage - in full partnership - with all relevant stakeholders, to 'weaponise' microbes and microbial technologies to fight resource deficits and asymmetries, in particular among the most vulnerable populations, and thereby create humanitarian conditions more conducive to harmony and peace.
Topics: Humans; Industrial Microbiology; Technology
PubMed: 36880421
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14224 -
The Plant Journal : For Cell and... Feb 2022Soil is a living ecosystem, the health of which depends on fine interactions among its abiotic and biotic components. These form a delicate equilibrium maintained... (Review)
Review
Soil is a living ecosystem, the health of which depends on fine interactions among its abiotic and biotic components. These form a delicate equilibrium maintained through a multilayer network that absorbs certain perturbations and guarantees soil functioning. Deciphering the principles governing the interactions within soils is of critical importance for their management and conservation. Here, we focus on soil microbiota and discuss the complexity of interactions that impact the composition and function of soil microbiota and their interaction with plants. We discuss how physical aspects of soils influence microbiota composition and how microbiota-plant interactions support plant growth and responses to nutrient deficiencies. We predict that understanding the principles determining the configuration and functioning of soil microbiota will contribute to the design of microbiota-based strategies to preserve natural resources and develop more environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Topics: Host Microbial Interactions; Microbiota; Plants; Rhizosphere; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 34743401
DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15568 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Nov 2021The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated the value of highly skilled and extensively trained specialists in clinical microbiology (CM) and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated the value of highly skilled and extensively trained specialists in clinical microbiology (CM) and infectious diseases (ID). Training curricula in CM and ID must constantly evolve to prepare trainees for future pandemics and to allow trainees to reach their full clinical and academic potential.
OBJECTIVES
In this narrative review, we aim to outline necessary future adaptations in CM and ID training curricula and identify current structural barriers in training with the aim of discussing possibilities to address these shortcomings.
SOURCES
We reviewed literature from PubMed and included selected books and online publications as appropriate. There was no time constraint on the included publications.
CONTENT
Drawing from the lessons learnt during the pandemic, we summarize novel digital technologies relevant to CM and ID trainees and highlight interdisciplinary teamwork and networking skills as important competencies. We centre CM and ID training within the One Health framework and discuss gender inequalities and structural racism as barriers in both CM and ID training and patient care.
IMPLICATIONS
CM and ID trainees should receive training and support developing skills in novel digital technologies, leadership, interdisciplinary teamwork and networking. Equally important is the need for equity of opportunity, with firm commitments to end gender inequality and structural racism in CM and ID. Policy-makers and CM and ID societies should ensure that trainees are better equipped to achieve their professional goals and are better prepared for the challenges awaiting in their fields.
Topics: COVID-19; Communicable Diseases; Curriculum; Gender Equity; Humans; Infectious Disease Medicine; Microbiology; One Health; Pandemics; Racism; Specialization
PubMed: 34197928
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.06.032 -
Microbial Biotechnology Mar 2021
Topics: Biotechnology; China; Industrial Microbiology; Microbiology
PubMed: 33609328
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13777 -
Viruses Dec 2023Norway is situated in a remote and sparsely inhabited part of the world with about 5 [...].
Norway is situated in a remote and sparsely inhabited part of the world with about 5 [...].
Topics: Norway; Virology
PubMed: 38140624
DOI: 10.3390/v15122383 -
Nihon Saikingaku Zasshi. Japanese... 2023
Topics: Food Microbiology; Meat Products
PubMed: 36754395
DOI: 10.3412/jsb.78.155 -
Journal of Bacteriology Jun 2022
Topics: Bacteriology; Microbiology
PubMed: 35583338
DOI: 10.1128/jb.00153-22