BacterioFiles 357 - Colossal Contagion Codes Catabolism

Tetraselmis alga
By: David Patterson and
Bob Andersen, CC BY-NC 3.0

This episode: A new giant virus infecting marine algae brings its own genes related to fermentation, generating energy in the absence of oxygen!

Thanks to Drs. Chris Schvarcz and Grieg Steward for their contributions!

Download Episode (14 MB, 15.25 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Borrelia anserina

News item

Journal Paper:
Schvarcz CR, Steward GF. 2018. A giant virus infecting green algae encodes key fermentation genes. Virology 518:423–433.

Other interesting stories:

• Plant virus influences aphid nutrition and population growth
• Hosts can benefit from E. coli iron-gathering proteins
• Fog can sustain and transport microbes long distances
• Using bacteriophages to form useful nanostructures out of gold

Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

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Episode outline:

BacterioFiles 356 - Beams Boost Bolstered Bacteria

Nanomaterial-enhanced
tumor-targeting bacterium
From: Zheng et al. 2018,
Nat Commun 9:1680

This episode: Combining cells with light-absorbing nanomaterials can help tumor-targeting bacteria produce more anticancer compound!

Download Episode (10.4 MB, 11.4 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Maruca vitrata nucleopolyhedrovirus

Here's a paper I found that actually shows carbon dot nanomaterials enhancing bacterial nitrogen fixation

Journal Paper:
Zheng D-W, Chen Y, Li Z-H, Xu L, Li C-X, Li B, Fan J-X, Cheng S-X, Zhang X-Z. 2018. Optically-controlled bacterial metabolite for cancer therapy. Nat Commun 9:1680.

Other interesting stories:

• Viruses infect marine algae, which release shells into air and affect clouds

Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

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Episode outline:

Hurricane Florence

No episode this week, thanks to Hurricane Florence. I'm ok though and will be back next week! Everyone stay safe.

BacterioFiles 355 - Photon Factors Favor Fancy Fuels

Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast

This episode: Engineering yeast to control their metabolism using light and dark for the production of advanced biofuels and chemicals!

Download Episode (16.1 MB, 17.7 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Equine arteritis virus

News item

Journal Paper:
Zhao EM, Zhang Y, Mehl J, Park H, Lalwani MA, Toettcher JE, Avalos JL. 2018. Optogenetic regulation of engineered cellular metabolism for microbial chemical production. Nature 555:683–687.

Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, RSS, Google Play. Support the show at Patreon, or check out the show at Twitter or Facebook.

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BacterioFiles 354 - Prokaryote Protection Promotes Protein Passing

Pectobacterium cells
By: The James Hutton Institute

This episode: The bacterial immune system, CRISPR-Cas, can enhance gene transfer via transduction (phages carrying bacteria DNA) despite preventing it via conjugation!

Thanks to Bridget Watson for her contribution!

Download Episode (14.9 MB, 16.3 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Human polyomavirus 8

Journal Paper:
Watson BNJ, Staals RHJ, Fineran PC. 2018. CRISPR-Cas-Mediated Phage Resistance Enhances Horizontal Gene Transfer by Transduction. mBio 9:e02406-17.

Other interesting stories:

• Using yeast in packets to measure exposure to radiation
• Light-controlled swimming bacteria can be shaped into complex patterns
• Special bacteria could help people lacking an enzyme avoid food toxicity

Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, RSS, Google Play. Support the show at Patreon, or check out the show at Twitter or Facebook.

Episode outline:

BacterioFiles 353 - Pathogen Prevents Pathogen Pervasion

Streptococcus (green) and
Staphylococcus (red)
together in biofilm.
By: Reddinger et al, 2018, mBio

This episode: Some bacteria that can cause pneumonia can prevent other bacteria from doing the same!

Download Episode (9.6 MB, 10.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Bell pepper mottle virus

Journal Paper:
Reddinger RM, Luke-Marshall NR, Sauberan SL, Hakansson AP, Campagnari AA. 2018. Streptococcus pneumoniae Modulates Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Dispersion and the Transition from Colonization to Invasive Disease. mBio 9:e02089-17.

Other interesting stories:

• Trying to get plants and beneficial microbes to work together better
• Unusual strain of corn cultivates bacteria that fix nitrogen for it
• Cool protozoan has super speedy body contraction

Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

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Episode outline:

BacterioFiles 352 - Staphylococcus Stops Skin Swellings

Staphylococcus epidermidis

This episode: A harmless strain of bacteria on the skin produces a compound that can prevent tumors from forming!

Download Episode (9.2 MB, 10 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Hamiltonella virus APSE1

News item

Journal Paper:
Nakatsuji T, Chen TH, Butcher AM, Trzoss LL, Nam S-J, Shirakawa KT, Zhou W, Oh J, Otto M, Fenical W, Gallo RL. 2018. A commensal strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis protects against skin neoplasia. Sci Adv 4:eaao4502.

Other interesting stories:

• Eating crickets could be good for your gut microbes
• Even probiotic bacteria could cause problems if they overgrow

Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, RSS, Google Play. Support the show at Patreon, or check out the show at Twitter or Facebook.

Episode outline: