New iDIRECT framework could help scientists better understand biological systems by disentangling direct from indirect relationships in association networks.
Bacterial community composition impacts the transformation of carbon in soils
Microorganisms have evolved various life-history strategies to survive fluctuating resource conditions in soils. However, it remains elusive how the life-history strategies of microorganisms influence their processing of organic carbon, which may affect microbial interactions and carbon cycling in soils. Here, ENIGMA researchers characterized the genomic traits, exometabolite profiles, and interactions of soil bacteria representing copiotrophic and oligotrophic strategists. I
Two model phages characterized by new CRISPR based technology extensible to diverse phages
ENIGMA researchers demonstrated for the first time that they can, on a genome-wide scale, identify phage genes that are essential (or not) to infecting bacteria, and then replace non-essential DNA with distinctive barcode tags. Their method could unlock potent biotechnology applications.
Environmental bacteria may have candidate genes for bioremediation
ENIGMA researchers identified important genes for improving Chromate resistance in genetically diverse bacteria through experimental evolution.
To Study Competition and Cross-Feeding, Scientists Build Synthetic Microbiomes
A new study investigated complex interactions among four cross-feeding microorganisms in a synthetic community (SynCom) that converts cellulose to methane and carbon dioxide, paving the way toward a more predictive understanding of the impact of environmental perturbations on microbial interactions sustaining geochemically significant processes in natural systems.
Decomposition Decreases Molecular Diversity and Ecosystem Similarity of Soil Organic Matter
ENIGMA researchers collaborated with the Lehmann Lab at Cornell University to find that microbial decomposition drives significant variability in the molecular richness and diversity of soil organic matter between soil horizons and ecosystems.
Multicopy suppressor screens reveal convergent evolution of single-gene lysis proteins
Using new barcoded screening technology, ENIGMA researchers uncovered genome-wide targets of diverse including single-stranded RNA-phages (ssRNA-phages)-derived protein antibiotics to efficiently identify the host mechanisms targeted in bacteriolysis. The novel approach could have significant applications for characterizing the hundreds of putative Sgl identified in genomic databases and recent studies.
ENIGMA researchers awarded for First Place Talks
University of Georgia ENIGMA researchers Jennifer Goff (postdoctoral fellow) and Elizabeth Szink (undergraduate research associate) presented their work at the 10th Annual Southeastern Biogeochemistry Symposium May 12-14,2023 at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC . The Southeastern Biogeochemistry Symposium is a unique opportunity for undergraduate students, graduate students, post doctorate, and faculty members from the […]