Applied and Environmental Science
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceElucidation of Regulatory Modes for Five Two-Component Systems in Escherichia coli Reveals Novel RelationshipsE. coli is a common commensal microbe found in the human gut microenvironment; however, some strains cause diseases like diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and meningitis. E. coli’s two-component systems (TCSs) modulate target gene expression, especially related to virulence, pathogenesis, and...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceFermented-Food Metagenomics Reveals Substrate-Associated Differences in Taxonomy and Health-Associated and Antibiotic Resistance DeterminantsFermented foods are regaining popularity worldwide due in part to a greater appreciation of the health benefits of these foods and the associated microorganisms. Here, we use state-of-the-art approaches to explore the microbiomes of 58 of these foods, identifying the factors that drive the microbial composition of these foods and potential functional benefits associated with these populations. Food type, i.e., dairy-, sugar-, or brine-...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceGeothermal Gases Shape the Microbial Community of the Volcanic Soil of Pantelleria, ItalyThe Favara Grande nature reserve on the volcanic island of Pantelleria (Italy) is known for its geothermal gas emissions and high soil temperatures. These volcanic soil ecosystems represent “hot spots” of greenhouse gas emissions. The unique community might be shaped by the hostile conditions in the ecosystem, and it is involved in the cycling of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, and nitrogen. Our metagenome study revealed that...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceDeciphering the Microbial Taxonomy and Functionality of Two Diverse Mangrove Ecosystems and Their Potential Abilities To Produce Bioactive CompoundsThis study comprehensively described the taxonomy and functionality of mangrove microbiomes, including their capacity for secondary metabolite biosynthesis and their ability to resist antibiotics. The microbial taxonomic and functional characteristics differed between geographical locations, corresponding to the environmental condition of two diverse mangrove regions. A large number of microbial biosynthetic gene clusters encoding novel...
Perspective | Applied and Environmental ScienceIntroducing the Mangrove Microbiome Initiative: Identifying Microbial Research Priorities and Approaches To Better Understand, Protect, and Rehabilitate Mangrove EcosystemsMangrove ecosystems provide important ecological benefits and ecosystem services, including carbon storage and coastline stabilization, but they also suffer great anthropogenic pressures. Microorganisms associated with mangrove sediments and the rhizosphere play key roles in this ecosystem and make essential contributions to its productivity and carbon budget. Understanding this nexus and moving from descriptive studies of microbial...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceLong-Term Temporal Stability of the Resistome in Sewage from CopenhagenThe Copenhagen sewage resistome is surprisingly stable in time. The implication is that, at least for cities that are comparable to Copenhagen in terms of sewer infrastructure, few or even single samples provide a robust picture of the resistome within a city.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceSize Shapes the Active Microbiome of Methanogenic Granules, Corroborating a Biofilm Life CycleBiological wastewater conversion processes collectively constitute one of the single biggest worldwide applications of microbial communities. There is an obvious requirement, therefore, to study the microbial systems central to the success of such technologies. Methanogenic granules, in particular, are architecturally fascinating biofilms that facilitate highly organized cooperation within the metabolic network of the anaerobic...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceDiagnosing and Predicting Mixed-Culture Fermentations with Unicellular and Guild-Based Metabolic ModelsMicrobiomes are vital to human health, agriculture, and protecting the environment. Predicting behavior of self-assembled or synthetic microbiomes, however, remains a challenge. In this work, we used unicellular and guild-based metabolic models to investigate production of medium-chain fatty acids by a mixed microbial community that is fed multiple organic substrates. Modeling results provided insights into metabolic pathways of three...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceMarine Sediments Hold an Untapped Potential for Novel Taxonomic and Bioactive Bacterial DiversitySince bacterial resistance to antibiotics is developing worldwide, new antibiotics are needed. Most antibiotics discovered so far have been found in soil-dwelling bacteria, so we instead targeted marine environments as a novel source of bioactive potential. We used amplicon sequencing of bioactive gene clusters in the microbiome of coastal seawater and sandy sediments and found the bioactive potential to be comparable to, but distinct...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceMicrobiome-Informed Food Safety and Quality: Longitudinal Consistency and Cross-Sectional Distinctiveness of Retail Chicken Breast MicrobiomesChicken has recently overtaken beef as the most-consumed meat in the United States. The growing popularity of chicken is accompanied by frequent occurrences of foodborne pathogens and increasing concerns over antibiotic usage. Our study represents a proof-of-concept investigation into the possibility and practicality of leveraging microbiome-informed food safety and quality. Through a longitudinal and cross-sectional survey, we...