Podcast Directory

Podcast title

BacterioFiles

Website URL

https://www.asm.org/index.php/...

Description

The podcast for microbe lovers: reporting on exciting news about bacteria, archaea, and sometimes even eukaryotic microbes and viruses.

Updated

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 05:07:06 +0000

Image

Episodes

1. BacterioFiles 343 - Super Cells Save Susceptible Species
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.73Mb)

Description:

This episode: Very radiation-resistant bacteria can protect other, less-resistant microbes from some of the effects of chronic radiation!

Download Episode (9.7 MB, 10.6 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Paramecium bursaria Chlorella virus CA4A

News item

Journal Paper:
Shuryak I, Matrosova VY, Gaidamakova EK, Tkavc R, Grichenko O, Klimenkova P, Volpe RP, Daly MJ. 2017. Microbial cells can cooperate to resist high-level chronic ionizing radiation. PLOS ONE 12:e0189261.

Other interesting stories:

Panda gut microbes help them detoxify cyanide in their diet (paper) Modified probiotics can detect and inhibit cholera in baby mice

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

2. BacterioFiles 342 - Cyanide Stops Cell Suckers
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.72Mb)

Description:

This episode: Some bacteria can defend themselves from bacterial predators by producing cyanide!

Thanks to Dr. Robert Mitchell for his contribution!

Download Episode (7.7 MB, 8.4 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Dyoepsilonpapillomavirus 1

News item

Journal Paper:
Mun W, Kwon H, Im H, Choi SY, Monnappa AK, Mitchell RJ. 2017. Cyanide Production by Chromobacterium piscinae Shields It from Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100 Predation. mBio 8:e01370-17.

Other interesting stories:

Using bacterial DNA to estimate movement of river water Making bacteria produce biologic drugs that last longer in the body Fungal pigment could be a useful semiconductor Parasitic microbe uses chemical defense against defenses of fungus-growing ants

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

3. BacterioFiles 341 - Cancer Killer Could Cure Cryptic Contagion
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.72Mb)

Description:

This episode: A virus designed to target cancer could also help eliminate hidden HIV infections!

Thanks to Nischal Ranganath for his contribution!

Download Episode (8.7 MB, 9.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Streptomyces pluricolorescens

News item

Journal Paper:
Ranganath N, Sandstrom TS, Schinkel B, C S, Côté SC, Angel JB. 2018. The Oncolytic Virus MG1 Targets and Eliminates Cells Latently Infected With HIV-1: Implications for an HIV Cure. J Infect Dis 217:721–730.

Other interesting stories:

Gut microbes could affect immune defense against liver cancer

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

4. BacterioFiles 340 - Plasmid Promotes Plant Pathogenesis
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.44Mb)

Description:

This episode: Some bacteria living around plants can become pathogenic just by gaining a few genes!

Download Episode (9.4 MB, 10.3 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Alternanthera yellow vein betasatellite

News item

Journal Paper:
Savory EA, Fuller SL, Weisberg AJ, Thomas WJ, Gordon MI, Stevens DM, Creason AL, Belcher MS, Serdani M, Wiseman MS, Grünwald NJ, Putnam ML, Chang JH. 2017. Evolutionary transitions between beneficial and phytopathogenic Rhodococcus challenge disease management. eLife 6:e30925.

Other interesting stories:

More gut microbe diversity could be good for arteries Human gut microbes have enzymes that break down specific plant toxins (paper) Gut microbes ferment fiber and modify immune response to protect mice from flu Cooperation of plants and fungi breaks down if one finds alternative lifestyle (paper) Disproven "arsenic in the DNA" bacterium actually has interesting arsenic detox strategies (paper)

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

5. BacterioFiles 339 - Medical Microbiota Measurement
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 10.57Mb)

Description:

This episode: Fecal microbiota transplants work just as well when taken in pill form as when delivered through a tube!

Download Episode (10.5 MB, 11.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Halobacterium halobium

News item

Journal Paper:
Kao D, Roach B, Silva M, Beck P, Rioux K, Kaplan GG, Chang H-J, Coward S, Goodman KJ, Xu H, Madsen K, Mason A, Wong GK-S, Jovel J, Patterson J, Louie T. 2017. Effect of Oral Capsule- vs Colonoscopy-Delivered Fecal Microbiota Transplantation on Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Am Med Assoc 318:1985–1993.

Other interesting stories:

Protein that can form prions important for protecting mice from influenza (paper) Figuring out how bacteria in fruit flies kill only males Healthy skin microbes could help treat eczema Good gut microbe is very comfortable with immune system Archaea in bogs could be good microbes for plants too (paper)

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

6. BacterioFiles 338 - Maverick Mouse Microbes Mitigate Maladies
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Description:

This episode: Gut microbe transplants from wild mice protect lab mice from disease!

Download Episode (9.8 MB, 10.7 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Cabassou virus

News item

Journal Paper:
Rosshart SP, Vassallo BG, Angeletti D, Hutchinson DS, Morgan AP, Takeda K, Hickman HD, McCulloch JA, Badger JH, Ajami NJ, Trinchieri G, Pardo-Manuel de Villena F, Yewdell JW, Rehermann B. 2017. Wild Mouse Gut Microbiota Promotes Host Fitness and Improves Disease Resistance. Cell 171:1015-1028.e13.

Other interesting stories:

Phage cocktail can eliminate pathogen with minimal collateral damage Preventive probiotics given with antibiotics can help keep C. diff away Early exposure to dust and bacteria linked with less immune response to stress Viruses that help wasps parasitize caterpillars also inhibit plant defenses Only one microbe species can live in extremely acidic, almost boiling lake

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

7. BacterioFiles 337 - Gathering Gut Groupings Graphics
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.78Mb)

Description:

This episode: A simplified bacterial community in mouse guts doesn't have much community structure, relative to other body areas!

Download Episode (8.8 MB, 9.6 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Rhodomicrobium vannielii

News item

Journal Paper:
Welch JLM, Hasegawa Y, McNulty NP, Gordon JI, Borisy GG. 2017. Spatial organization of a model 15-member human gut microbiota established in gnotobiotic mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci 114:E9105–E9114.

Other interesting stories:

Studying the microbes found in Chinese hazy air (paper) Sometimes bacteria modify their environment so hard, it kills them (paper) Some ants' bacteria produce the pheromones they use for guidance Modifying plants' microbiota might be difficult due to microbe diversity

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

8. BacterioFiles 336 - Phages Fortify Friendly Fighters
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 12.94Mb)

Description:

This episode: Phage therapy can work very well when combined with an effective immune response from the host!

Download Episode (12.9 MB, 14.1 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Gammapapillomavirus 8

News item about "nightmare bacteria"

Journal Paper:
Roach DR, Leung CY, Henry M, Morello E, Singh D, Di Santo JP, Weitz JS, Debarbieux L. 2017. Synergy between the Host Immune System and Bacteriophage Is Essential for Successful Phage Therapy against an Acute Respiratory Pathogen. Cell Host Microbe 22:38-47.e4.

Other interesting stories:

Bacteria make antibacterial silver nanoparticles (paper) Bacteria produce chemical that could enhance effectiveness of penicillin Engineering yeast to produce valuable complex chemicals Specific types of gut microbes affect cancer treatment effectiveness Microbe-produced enzymes could help clean oil spills

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

9. BacterioFiles 335 - Purported Paraprobiotic Potential
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Description:

This episode: Paraprobiotics, or killed probiotic bacteria, are studied for health effects, but results and study design are questionable!

Download Episode (11.5 MB, 12.6 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Phlox virus S

Journal Paper:
Nishida K, Sawada D, Kawai T, Kuwano Y, Fujiwara S, Rokutan K. 2017. Para-psychobiotic Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 ameliorates stress-related symptoms and sleep quality. J Appl Microbiol 123:1561–1570.

Other interesting stories:

Parasites infecting ants hide their presence Inoculating soybean crops with extra bacteria can help them fix more nitrogen Microbes help mice recover from bone marrow transplant (paper) Lots of drugs other than antibiotics can harm gut communities (paper) Using biofilm as camera film, for imaging

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

10. BacterioFiles 334 - Measuring Mycelial Moth Muncher Management
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Description:

This episode: Figuring out the best way to study the spread of a fungus that kills an invasive tree-eating caterpillar pest!

Download Episode (8.2 MB, 8.9 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Pasteurella aerogenes

News item

Journal Paper:
Bittner TD, Hajek AE, Liebhold AM, Thistle H. 2017. Modification of a Pollen Trap Design To Capture Airborne Conidia of Entomophaga maimaiga and Detection of Conidia by Quantitative PCR. Appl Environ Microbiol 83:e00724-17.

Other interesting stories:

Studying the whale microbiome Gut bacteria help herbivorous ants get enough nitrogen Environment factors can affect our microbes apart from genetic factors Fiber could encourage gut microbes to help with type 2 diabetes Gut microbes can affect parasitic worm infections

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

11. BacterioFiles 333 - Transposons Take Targeting Tool
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Description:

This episode: Certain transposons, genetic elements that move around the genome on their own, have co-opted the bacterial immune system, CRISPR, to use for jumping to new hosts!

Thanks to Dr. Joseph Peters for his contribution!

Download Episode (10.7 MB, 11.75 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Streptomyces yokosukanensis

Journal Paper:
Peters JE, Makarova KS, Shmakov S, Koonin EV. 2017. Recruitment of CRISPR-Cas systems by Tn7-like transposons. Proc Natl Acad Sci 114:E7358–E7366.

Other interesting stories:

Microbe found producing antibiotic previously only known to be man-made (paper) Modifying genetics to change bacterial colony colors Making microbe communities that help plants in specific ways Gut microbes can protect mice against death from sepsis Fungus affects cicada behavior to infect more hosts

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

12. BacterioFiles 332 - Moth Minors Missing Microbes
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Description:

This episode: Unlike most animals, caterpillars don't seem to have a resident gut microbe to help them in various ways!

Thanks to Tobin Hammer for his contribution!

Download Episode (14 MB, 15.3 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Borrelia graingeri

News item

Journal Paper:
Hammer TJ, Janzen DH, Hallwachs W, Jaffe SP, Fierer N. 2017. Caterpillars lack a resident gut microbiome. Proc Natl Acad Sci 114:9641–9646.

Other interesting stories:

Improving viral delivery of gene therapy across blood-brain barrier Engineered gut bacteria bind bowel cancer and kill it with vegetables Making bacteria into synthetic phage factories (paper) Preventing contamination of industrial algae cultures using predatory bacteria (paper) Finding potential new antibiotics in cockroach microbes (paper)

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

13. BacterioFiles 331 - Password Protein Poisons Pairings
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 12.47Mb)

Description:

This episode: How social bacteria societies function: by sharing enzyme packages with each other that can contain toxins that are deadly for rivals but not for friends!

Thanks to Chris Vasallo for his contribution!

Download Episode (12.4 MB, 13.6 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Propionibacterium virus PAD20

News item

Journal Paper:
Vassallo CN, Cao P, Conklin A, Finkelstein H, Hayes CS, Wall D. 2017. Infectious polymorphic toxins delivered by outer membrane exchange discriminate kin in myxobacteria. eLife 6:e29397.

Other interesting stories:

Attaching proteins to little bioplastic beads to make useful nanoparticles (paper) Fungi are very important for nutrient cycling in the world Friendly soil microbes inject plant pathogens with toxin Microbes are carried around the world through the atmosphere Arctic algae can grow even in super cold and dark conditions

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

14. BacterioFiles 330 - Polar Plasmid Produces Particles
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Description:

This episode: A plasmid discovered in Antarctic archaea can create virus-like particles, membrane vesicles, and transfer itself to new hosts!

Thanks to Rick Cavicchioli for his contribution.

Download Episode (17.7 MB, 19.4 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Hypomicrogaster canadensis bracovirus

News item

Journal Paper:
Erdmann S, Tschitschko B, Zhong L, Raftery MJ, Cavicchioli R. 2017. A plasmid from an Antarctic haloarchaeon uses specialized membrane vesicles to disseminate and infect plasmid-free cells. Nat Microbiol 2:1446.

Other interesting stories:

Probiotic bacteria good at metabolizing potentially helpful plant compounds (paper) Bacteria can harvest precious metals from waste to make catalytic particles (paper) Bacteria help mice avoid chemotherapy-induced autoimmunity (paper) Exercise could be healthy partly because it modifies gut microbe community Gut microbe community may help some bats live long (paper)

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

15. BacterioFiles 329 - Special Secreting Structure Studied
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Description:

This episode: New type of secretion system discovered that bacteria use to stab amoeba predators to escape their digestion!

Download Episode (7.8 MB, 8.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Avastrovirus 1

News item

Journal Paper:
Böck D, Medeiros JM, Tsao H-F, Penz T, Weiss GL, Aistleitner K, Horn M, Pilhofer M. 2017. In situ architecture, function, and evolution of a contractile injection system. Science 357:713–717.

Other interesting stories:

Gut microbe metabolites keep yeasts from taking over (paper) Ancient fungi extracted minerals that helped ancient plants create oxygen How microbes survive on and affect tombstones (paper) Stomach bacterium produces interesting anti-inflammatory compound (paper) Finding archaea in the human lung, gut, skin, and nose (paper)

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

16. BacterioFiles 328 - Focused Phages Fight Films
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.57Mb)

Description:

This episode: Phages bound to magnetic nanoparticles can be guided and pulled toward their target, penetrating biofilms to kill harmful microbes!

Download Episode (9.6 MB, 10.4 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Veillonella alcalescens

News item

Journal Paper:
Li L-L, Yu P, Wang X, Yu S-S, Mathieu J, Yu H-Q, Alvarez PJJ. 2017. Enhanced biofilm penetration for microbial control by polyvalent phages conjugated with magnetic colloidal nanoparticle clusters (CNCs). Environ Sci Nano 4:1817–1826.

Other interesting stories:

Social group membership affects lemur gut microbes Viruses can transfer genes between kingdoms Trace gases in atmosphere enough to support microbes in Antarctica Magnetic bacteria can swim even against the current Engineered bacteria produce internal scaffolds for better biotech productions

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

17. BacterioFiles 327 - Microbe Metabolite Meliorates Malaise
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Description:

This episode: Gut microbes in mice break down plant foods and produce molecules that stimulate the immune system to resist influenza!

Thanks to Drs. Ashley Steed and Thaddeus Stappenbeck for their contributions!

Download Episode (9 MB, 9.8 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Bougainvillea chlorotic vein banding virus

News item

Journal Paper:
Steed AL, Christophi GP, Kaiko GE, Sun L, Goodwin VM, Jain U, Esaulova E, Artyomov MN, Morales DJ, Holtzman MJ, Boon ACM, Lenschow DJ, Stappenbeck TS. 2017. The microbial metabolite desaminotyrosine protects from influenza through type I interferon. Science 357:498–502.

Other interesting stories:

Nanobots with propellers modeled after bacterial flagella Embedding useful bacteria into "ink" used to print 3D structures Controlling behavior of individual bacteria using a computer Exercise alone can affect microbiota Microbes in ISS are similar to microbes in Earth homes

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

18. BacterioFiles 326 - Ciliate Symbionts Selected Separately
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.76Mb)

Description:

This episode: Learning about endosymbionts by comparing bacteria living inside eukaryotes to their free-living cousins!

Thanks to Dr. Vittorio Boscaro for his contribution!

Download Episode (9.7 MB, 10.6 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Ancalochloris perfilievii

Journal Paper:
Boscaro V, Kolisko M, Felletti M, Vannini C, Lynn DH, Keeling PJ. 2017. Parallel genome reduction in symbionts descended from closely related free-living bacteria. Nat Ecol Evol 1:1160.

Other interesting stories:

Wolbachia naturally found in mosquitoes inhibits malaria transmission (paper) Group of 5 microbes help regulate Hydra's body contractions In mice, fungi can function somewhat in place of gut bacteria (paper) Bacteriophages get carried all over the body Bacteria engineered to make boron-carbon bonds

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

19. BacterioFiles 325 - Moisture Mobilizes Mycelium Multiples
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 6.74Mb)

Description:

This episode: Figuring out how mushrooms launch their spores out using a trick of water surface tension!

Download Episode (6.7 MB, 7.3 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Carrot torradovirus 1

News item

Video of artificial "spore" launching

Journal Paper:
Liu F, Chavez RL, Patek SN, Pringle A, Feng JJ, Chen C-H. 2017. Asymmetric drop coalescence launches fungal ballistospores with directionality. J R Soc Interface 14:20170083.

Other interesting stories:

Bacteriophage also inhibits fungal pathogen (paper) Virus infects both plant and fungus (paper) Gut interactions between bacteria and salt - also this Bacteria can transform toxic metals into less harmful forms (paper) Microbes generating electricity from swine wastewater

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

20. BacterioFiles 324 - Prokaryote Prefers Poorer Power
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.12Mb)

Description:

This episode: Hot spring archaea prefer to use elements that give them less energy even when more energetic options are available!

Download Episode (8.1 MB, 8.8 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Vitreoscilla beggiatoides

News item

Journal Paper:
Amenabar MJ, Shock EL, Roden EE, Peters JW, Boyd ES. 2017. Microbial substrate preference dictated by energy demand rather than supply. Nat Geosci 10:577–581.

Other interesting stories:

Developing good methods for using skin microbiome for forensics (paper) Microbe discovered that consumes groundwater contaminant dioxane Mucus-eating gut microbes can produce beneficial nutrients and vitamins (paper) Making new beer and wine flavors with different yeast Providing leaf microbiota to help endangered plants survive in wild

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

21. BacterioFiles 323 - Clostridium Capturing Carbon with Walter Sandoval
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Description:

This episode: I talk with Dr. Walter Sandoval-Espinola, a researcher from Paraguay, now a postdoc at Harvard, about his discovery that biofuel-producing bacteria Clostridium beijerinckii can also transform CO2 and carbon monoxide into biofuels!

Download Episode (37 MB, 40.4 minutes)

Show notes:
News item en español

Find Walter on Twitter or LinkedIn

Journal Paper:
Sandoval-Espinola WJ, Chinn MS, Thon MR, Bruno-Bárcena JM. 2017. Evidence of mixotrophic carbon-capture by n-butanol-producer Clostridium beijerinckii. Sci Rep 7:12759.

Other interesting stories:

Even microbes can help mix up lake water Using drones to sample whale microbiome Prebiotics could affect gut even without microbe involvement (paper) Bacteria do better in changing environments when they cooperate Newly discovered bacterial defense against phages (paper)

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

22. BacterioFiles 322 - Parents' Partners Protect Plants
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 10.34Mb)

Description:

Happy New Year! This episode: Fungal endophytes transferred from healthy adult plant leaf litter help baby cacao plants resist disease!

Thanks to Dr. Natalie Christian for her contribution!

Download Episode (10.3 MB, 11.25 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Lactobacillus virus Lb338-1

News item
Hear a CBC interview with Dr. Christian about this research

Journal Paper:
Christian N, Herre EA, Mejia LC, Clay K. 2017. Exposure to the leaf litter microbiome of healthy adults protects seedlings from pathogen damage. Proc R Soc B 284:20170641.

Other interesting stories:

Using bacteria to clean up radioactive strontium from water (paper) Ocean bacteria make themselves slippery instead of sticky to avoid predators (paper) Which plants grow in tropics depends on how fungi interact with their seeds Using an antibiotic-sensing protein to control antibiotic production in bacteria Symbiotic fungi can help plants tolerate stresses better

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

23. BacterioFiles 321 - Escherichia Extends elegans Existence
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Description:

This episode: Bacteria with various gene knockouts help roundworms live longer and with less disease!

Download Episode (9.9 MB, 10.75 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Han B, Sivaramakrishnan P, Lin C-CJ, Neve IAA, He J, Tay LWR, Sowa JN, Sizovs A, Du G, Wang J, Herman C, Wang MC. 2017. Microbial Genetic Composition Tunes Host Longevity. Cell 169:1249–1262.e13.

Other interesting stories:

Useful reviews and guide to commercial probiotic selection at Reviews.com Success of high-fiber diet depends on gut microbes Engineering microbes to produce fluorine-containing polymers (like Teflon) Using mosquito gut bacteria to prevent malaria spread Bacteria and archaea in harsh places share genes often (paper)

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

24. BacterioFiles 320 - Fortified Fungi Fight Fevers
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.78Mb)

Description:

This episode: Fungi modified to produce spider and scorpion toxins kill malaria-transmitting mosquitoes extra fast!

Thanks to Brian Lovett for his contribution.

Download Episode (7.8 MB, 8.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Microbispora parva

News item

Journal Paper:
Bilgo E, Lovett B, Fang W, Bende N, King GF, Diabate A, Leger RJS. 2017. Improved efficacy of an arthropod toxin expressing fungus against insecticide-resistant malaria-vector mosquitoes. Sci Rep 7:3433.

Other interesting stories:

Virus-like protein helps bacteria eat fungi (paper) Molecules from good bacteria help animals stay healthy for longer (paper) Zika virus could help treat brain cancer Probiotic bacterium helps prevent gluten-related gut problems in mice (paper) Native vs. invader microbes help or prevent invasive marine plants invade

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

25. BacterioFiles 319 - Mycelial Moisture Magnanimity
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 10.45Mb)

Description:

This episode: Filament network-forming organisms like fungi can transfer nutrients and moisture to bacteria in harsher conditions!

Download Episode (10.4 MB, 11.4 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Desulfuromonas acetoxidans

News item

Journal Paper:
Worrich A, Stryhanyuk H, Musat N, König S, Banitz T, Centler F, Frank K, Thullner M, Harms H, Richnow H-H, Miltner A, Kästner M, Wick LY. 2017. Mycelium-mediated transfer of water and nutrients stimulates bacterial activity in dry and oligotrophic environments. Nat Commun 8:ncomms15472.

Other interesting stories:

Which gut fungi transfer from mothers to babies (paper) Bacteria as catalyst substrate for biofuel cleaning Different gut microbiota associated with Parkinson's disease Engineering gut bacteria to talk to the body in helpful ways Bacteria induce mating in another ocean microbe

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

26. BacterioFiles 318 - Killers Controlling Coral Contamination
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Description:

This episode: Bacteria that prey on other bacteria could help keep corals healthy! Thanks to Rory Welsh for his contribution.

Download Episode (12.8 MB, 14 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Latino mammarenavirus

Journal Paper:
Welsh RM, Rosales SM, Zaneveld JR, Payet JP, McMinds R, Hubbs SL, Thurber RLV. 2017. Alien vs. predator: bacterial challenge alters coral microbiomes unless controlled by Halobacteriovorax predators. PeerJ 5:e3315.

Other interesting stories:

Using trees and their microbes to clean up pollution Using bacteria to preserve/repair stone monuments and statues (paper) Stable gut microbes could help defend against amoeba infection Phage therapy treats very resistant infection in person Probiotic + probiotic food could help prevent infant sepsis (paper)

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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

27. BacterioFiles 317 - Mosquito Microbe Movement
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Description:

This episode: Studying how Wolbachia bacteria spread through a mosquito population helps efforts to use them to prevent the spread of Dengue! Thanks to Tom Schmidt for his contribution.

Download Episode (11.3 MB, 12.4 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Heterosigma akashiwo virus 01

News item

Journal Paper:
Schmidt TL, Barton NH, Rašić G, Turley AP, Montgomery BL, Iturbe-Ormaetxe I, Cook PE, Ryan PA, Ritchie SA, Hoffmann AA, O’Neill SL, Turelli M. 2017. Local introduction and heterogeneous spatial spread of dengue-suppressing Wolbachia through an urban population of Aedes aegypti. PLOS Biol 15:e2001894.

Other interesting stories:

Gut bacteria affect what foods and bacteria that fruit flies prefer to eat Using mouth bacteria to estimate time of death Huge bacterial protein attaches to ice and diatoms Feeding friendly gut microbes helps prevent imbalance Bacteria can sense and respond to touch

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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28. BacterioFiles 316 - Studying Sizeable Special Synthetases
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.71Mb)

Description:

This episode: Scientists study how fungi make interesting peptides using large proteins instead of ribosomes.

Download Episode (8.7 MB, 9.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Nerine virus X

News item

Journal Paper:
Yu D, Xu F, Zhang S, Zhan J. 2017. Decoding and reprogramming fungal iterative nonribosomal peptide synthetases. Nat Commun 8:ncomms15349.

Other interesting stories:

Using CRISPR to encode a short movie into a bacterial genome (paper) Virus that tolerates boiling acid could be model for super-tough nanomaterials Avoiding microbiota disruption protects frogs from parasites Soil microbe communities are also recovering in prairie restoration Couples modify each other's microbe communities, though not much

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29. BacterioFiles 315 - Probiotics Prevent Protein Plaques
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 11.88Mb)

Description:

This episode: In mice genetically modified to have Alzheimer's-like disease, giving probiotics reduced their degeneration!

Download Episode (11.8 MB, 13 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: SARS coronavirus

Journal Paper:
Bonfili L, Cecarini V, Berardi S, Scarpona S, Suchodolski JS, Nasulti C, Fiorini D, Boarelli MC, Rossi G, Eleuteri AM. 2017. Microbiota modulation counteracts Alzheimer's disease progression influencing neuronal proteolysis and gut hormone plasma levels. Sci Rep 7:2426.

Other interesting stories:

Fruit fly bacteria attack wasps' ribosomes that attack them Bacteria living on the eye protect it from infection New technique to prevent CRISPR/Cas from functioning Tardigrades should be able to survive almost any kind of planetary catastrophe Using fungi to recover/clean up metals from liquid (paper)

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30. BacterioFiles 314 - Drosophila Dwellers Delay Deficiency
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 14.75Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacteria affect fruit fly behavior by reducing their need and craving for protein-rich food!

Thanks to Dr. Carlos Ribeiro for his contribution!

Download Episode (14.7 MB, 16.1 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Ribeiro lab website - two fully-funded postdoc opportunities available

Journal Paper:
Leitão-Gonçalves R, Carvalho-Santos Z, Francisco AP, Fioreze GT, Anjos M, Baltazar C, Elias AP, Itskov PM, Piper MDW, Ribeiro C. 2017. Commensal bacteria and essential amino acids control food choice behavior and reproduction. PLOS Biol 15:e2000862.

Other interesting stories:

Bacteria could help remove lead from mining waste (paper) Modified bacteria could make natural food coloring economically Diet correlates with gut microbe community structure better than body weight does (paper) Fungal symbionts in Arctic thawing out may help trees deal with heat How good are commercial microbiota tests?

Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening!

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31. BacterioFiles 313 - Colonies Correct Chloride Corrosion
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 13.44Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacteria could help treat corrosion to preserve ancient iron artifacts!

Thanks to Drs. Pilar Junier and Edith Joseph for their contributions!

Download Episode (13.4 MB, 14.7 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Comensoli L, Maillard J, Albini M, Sandoz F, Junier P, Joseph E. 2017. Use of Bacteria To Stabilize Archaeological Iron. Appl Environ Microbiol 83:e03478-16.

Other interesting stories:

Archaeal communities on skin change with age Using viruses to deliver useful stuff to the nervous system Polymer-coating bacteria to improve their electricity-generating ability 61% of yeast essential genes can be replaced by E. coli versions (paper) Breast milk and skin are important sources of microbes for infants (paper)

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32. BacterioFiles 312 - Antibiotic Acts As Agreement
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Description:

This episode: Bacteria that produce antibiotic molecule can also use it for communication between cells!

Download Episode (10 MB, 11 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Rosellinia necatrix victorivirus 1

Journal Paper:
Beyersmann PG, Tomasch J, Son K, Stocker R, Göker M, Wagner-Döbler I, Simon M, Brinkhoff T. 2017. Dual function of tropodithietic acid as antibiotic and signaling molecule in global gene regulation of the probiotic bacterium Phaeobacter inhibens. Sci Rep 7:730.

Other interesting stories:

Bacteria may be key to certain grasses' success (paper) Small-genome bacteria have old school space-saving multi-function enzymes (paper) Using electricity to help microbes clean up pollution (paper) (see here also) Photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms cooperate in ocean Phage therapy with CRISPR-modified viruses

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

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33. BacterioFiles 311 - Synchronized Slimes Spread Slowly
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 14.24Mb)

Description:

This episode: Separate groups of bacteria can each thrive better when they take turns growing instead of competing!

Thanks to Jintao Liu and Rosa Martinez-Corral for their contributions to this episode!

Download Episode (14.2 MB, 15.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Palyam virus

News item

Journal Paper:
Liu J, Martinez-Corral R, Prindle A, Lee DD, Larkin J, Gabalda-Sagarra M, Garcia-Ojalvo J, Süel GM. 2017. Coupling between distant biofilms and emergence of nutrient time-sharing. Science 356:638–642.

Other interesting stories:

Microbe prefers making its own siderophores rather than relying on others' (paper) Deep-sea animals live off microbes that eat oil Correlating gut microbiome differences with anorexia (paper) Having microbes affects mice's perception of internal pain Bacteria that digest gluten could be helpful as probiotics (paper)

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34. BacterioFiles 310 - Prodigious Particles Produce Proteins
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 11.28Mb)

Description:

This episode: Newly discovered giant viruses almost build their own replication machinery instead of using their host's!

Download Episode (11.2 MB, 12.3 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Terasakiella pusilla

News item

Journal Paper:
Schulz F, Yutin N, Ivanova NN, Ortega DR, Lee TK, Vierheilig J, Daims H, Horn M, Wagner M, Jensen GJ, Kyrpides NC, Koonin EV, Woyke T. 2017. Giant viruses with an expanded complement of translation system components. Science 356:82–85.

Other interesting stories:

Using insect bacteria to control devastating citrus disease Microbes give meerkat gangs their signature scents Bacteria use a special trick with their flagella to get unstuck (paper) Fecal transplant microbes can stick around for years after treatment Probiotics could help protect honeybees from pesticides

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

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35. BacterioFiles 309 - Fungus Foils Phytophagy
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.50Mb)

Description:

This episode: Fungi living in plants could protect them from ants that cut up their leaves to feed their own fungal gardens!

Download Episode (7.5 MB, 8.2 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Escherichia virus RB3

Journal Paper:
Rocha SL, Evans HC, Jorge VL, Cardoso LAO, Pereira FST, Rocha FB, Barreto RW, Hart AG, Elliot SL. 2017. Recognition of endophytic Trichoderma species by leaf-cutting ants and their potential in a Trojan-horse management strategy. R Soc Open Sci 4:160628.

Other interesting stories:

What kinds of bacteria live on cats' skin (paper) Microbes could help reduce levels of most toxic mercury form Plant bacteria can protect plants against cadmium toxicity (paper) Rotifer transposons can protect them against aging Bacteria help protect against Listeria infection

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

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36. BacterioFiles 308 - Predators' Projectile Prototypes
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.24Mb)

Description:

This episode: Eukaryotic ocean microbes have surprisingly diverse and complex ballistic weapons!

Download Episode (8.2 MB, 9 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Mycoplasma arginini

Cool videos of microbial weapons firing

Journal Paper:
Gavelis GS, Wakeman KC, Tillmann U, Ripken C, Mitarai S, Herranz M, Özbek S, Holstein T, Keeling PJ, Leander BS. 2017. Microbial arms race: Ballistic “nematocysts” in dinoflagellates represent a new extreme in organelle complexity. Sci Adv 3:e1602552.

Other interesting stories:

Astronaut Kate Rubin's experience as microbiologist in space (paywall) Engineered nitrogen-fixing bacteria can reduce need for fertilizer (paper) Diversity of bacterial communities on leaves linked with ecosystem productivity (paper) Using parts of phages to do rapid detection of pathogens (paper) Microbiome modification contributes to effect of diabetes medication

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

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37. BacterioFiles 307 - Simplified Stable Soil Symbiosis
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 12.58Mb)

Description:

This episode: A stable community of only 7 bacteria around corn roots take on similar functions to the much more diverse soil community!

Download Episode (12.5 MB, 13.75 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Corynebacterium insidiosum

Journal Paper:
Niu B, Paulson JN, Zheng X, Kolter R. 2017. Simplified and representative bacterial community of maize roots. Proc Natl Acad Sci 114:E2450–E2459.

Other interesting stories:

Gut community correlates with inflammatory bowel disease treatment effectiveness Bacteria-produced hydrogen in soil could feed other plant-benefiting microbes (paper) Engineered bacteria could treat genetic disease by digesting things for people who can't (paper) Engineered cancer-killing virus also delivers therapy directly to tumors (paper) Using microbes to create clothing that adapts in color and ventilation (paper)

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

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38. BacterioFiles 306 - Microbes Moderate Metabolic Maladjustment
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.46Mb)

Description:

This episode: Microbes from obese mice seemed helpful in protecting other mice somewhat from an unhealthy lifestyle.

Download Episode (8.5 MB, 9.25 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Streptomyces thermoviolaceus

News item

Journal Paper:
Nicolas S, Blasco‐Baque V, Fournel A, Gilleron J, Klopp P, Waget A, Ceppo F, Marlin A, Padmanabhan R, Iacovoni JS, Tercé F, Cani PD, Tanti J-F, Burcelin R, Knauf C, Cormont M, Serino M. 2017. Transfer of dysbiotic gut microbiota has beneficial effects on host liver metabolism. Mol Syst Biol 13:921.

Other interesting stories:

Global warming could harm reptiles by disrupting their gut bacteria Insect microbes that start causing disease but then stop when their numbers get higher Microbes in sea spray affect the atmosphere and climate How breastmilk bacteria affect infant's gut community Sea sponge bacteria can produce toxic flame retardant chemicals

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39. BacterioFiles 305 - Defensive Disordered Desiccation
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 11.89Mb)

Description:

This episode: Tardigrades have an interesting way of surviving complete drying out: by producing proteins lacking a stable structure!

Download Episode (11.8 MB, 13 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Chandipura vesiculovirus

News item

Journal Paper:
Boothby TC, Tapia H, Brozena AH, Piszkiewicz S, Smith AE, Giovannini I, Rebecchi L, Pielak GJ, Koshland D, Goldstein B. 2017. Tardigrades Use Intrinsically Disordered Proteins to Survive Desiccation. Mol Cell 65:975–984.e5.

Other interesting stories:

Gut microbes are important for many bee bodily functions (paper) Bacterium helps defend insects but makes plants sick Bacteria can mutate faster or slower to adapt to their environment Cyanobacteria respond to different colors of light in different ways (paper)(commentary) Intense prolonged exercise could negatively impact the gut community

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

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40. BacterioFiles 304 - Phages Facilitate Photosynthesis
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 6.64Mb)

Description:

This episode: Viruses infecting cyanobacteria can produce proteins that actually help their host capture light better!

Download Episode (6.6 MB, 7.25 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Pseudomonas asplenii

News item

Journal Paper:
Gasper R, Schwach J, Hartmann J, Holtkamp A, Wiethaus J, Riedel N, Hofmann E, Frankenberg-Dinkel N. 2017. Distinct Features of Cyanophage-encoded T-type Phycobiliprotein Lyase ΦCpeT: The Role of Auxiliary Metabolic Genes. J Biol Chem 292:3089–3098.

Other interesting stories:

Many new antibiotics could be discovered in fungi Finding bacteria to degrade triclosan in the environment Microbes could affect gut chemotherapy treatment Carbon nanotubes help bacteria produce more methane (paper) Fecal transplant could be helpful for treating ulcerative colitis also

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

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41. BacterioFiles 303 - Sticky Skin Sows Cells
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 11.14Mb)

Description:

This episode: Roundworms in soil can carry with them bacteria they eat to grow new food, like farmers!

Download Episode (11.1 MB, 12.15 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Equid alphaherpesvirus 1

News item

Journal Paper:
Thutupalli S, Uppaluri S, Constable GWA, Levin SA, Stone HA, Tarnita CE, Brangwynne CP. 2017. Farming and public goods production in Caenorhabditis elegans populations. Proc Natl Acad Sci 114:2289–2294.

Other interesting stories:

Using modified CRISPR for quick detection of infections Modifying cyanobacterium cell length to make extracting biofuels easier (paper) Fusing phage proteins with antibodies to better target pathogens Some amoebas can penetrate biofilms to feed on dangerous bacteria (paper) Phages have some advantages over antibiotics

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

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42. BacterioFiles 302 - Message Moderates Microbe Mortality
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 12.73Mb)

Description:

This episode: Even organisms as simple as viruses can communicate with each other!

Download Episode (12.7 MB, 13.9 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Sweet potato virus C

Commentary (paywall)
Great talk about bacterial communication by Dr. Bonnie Bassler

Journal Paper:
Erez Z, Steinberger-Levy I, Shamir M, Doron S, Stokar-Avihail A, Peleg Y, Melamed S, Leavitt A, Savidor A, Albeck S, Amitai G, Sorek R. 2017. Communication between viruses guides lysis–lysogeny decisions. Nature 541:488–493.

Other interesting stories:

Engineering gut bacteria to detect and report gut inflammation Plants give fat to their root fungi in exchange for other nutrients Gut microbe metabolite linked with lower risk of diabetes Making bioelectrodes by embedding bacteria in glass (paper) Using CRISPR to discover new drug-producing bacterial genes

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43. BacterioFiles 301 - Cells Simulate City Structures
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 10.70Mb)

Description:

This episode: Ancient microbes built underwater structures that look like sunken, ancient cities!

Download Episode (10.6 MB, 11.7 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Actinomadura luteofluorescens

News item 1/News item 2

Journal Paper:
Andrews JE, Stamatakis MG, Marca-Bell A, Stewart C, Millar IL. 2016. Exhumed hydrocarbon-seep authigenic carbonates from Zakynthos Island (Greece): Concretions not archaeological remains. Marine and Petroleum Geology 76:16–25.

Other interesting stories:

Insecticide-resistant insects have insecticide-degrading gut bacteria (paper) Microbe spores that can survive in space Fungus-gardening ants are choosy about how much CO2 they want in their gardens (paper) Biochar helps microbes transfer electrons around in soil Exposure of infants to furry pets affects microbiota

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

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44. BacterioFiles 300 - Hyphae Help Horizontal (Gene Transfer)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 13.23Mb)

Description:

This episode: Filament-forming organisms help bacteria swim through soil and exchange genes with each other! Also, new feature: microbe of the episode!

Download Episode (13.2 MB, 14.4 minutes)

Show notes:
Microbe of the episode: Azotobacter vinelandii

News item

Video of bacteria swimming along mycelium

Full statement from Tom Berthold

Journal Paper:
Berthold T, Centler F, Hübschmann T, Remer R, Thullner M, Harms H, Wick LY. 2016. Mycelia as a focal point for horizontal gene transfer among soil bacteria. Sci Rep 6:36390.

Other interesting stories:

Bacterial DNA reduces mouse airway allergies Changes in microbiomes of people in 500-day space simulation (paper) Using advanced electron microscopy to visualize giant virus Bacterial predators find prey by both being trapped by their own whirlpools Many unusual viruses are moving around in the fluids of the rocky ocean floor

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

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45. BacterioFiles 299 - Predator Pops Polymer Producers
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 6.31Mb)

Description:

This episode: Using predatory bacteria to extract valuable bioplastics from other bacteria!

Download Episode (6.3 MB, 6.9 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Martínez V, Herencias C, Jurkevitch E, Prieto MA. 2016. Engineering a predatory bacterium as a proficient killer agent for intracellular bio-products recovery: The case of the polyhydroxyalkanoates. Sci Rep 6:24381.

Other interesting stories:

Phages could treat infections serious in cystic fibrosis Microbes help protect plants against virus infection (paper) Getting closer to fecal transplant in pill form Microbe communities in overused land recover as vegetation is restored Deep sea phage makes a DNA polymerase that doesn't need primers (paper)

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46. BacterioFiles 298 - Bacteria Boost Bone Buildup
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Description:

This episode: Gut microbes can even affect formation/remodeling of bones!

Download Episode (8.5 MB, 9.3 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Yan J, Herzog JW, Tsang K, Brennan CA, Bower MA, Garrett WS, Sartor BR, Aliprantis AO, Charles JF. 2016. Gut microbiota induce IGF-1 and promote bone formation and growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci 113:E7554–E7563.

Other interesting stories:

Raindrops can spread soil bacteria around everywhere Lots to learn from studying sauerkraut (paywall) Only some bacteria in a colony do all the expanding and multiplying (paper) Phage genes help Wolbachia prevent host insects from interbreeding with uninfected hosts (paper) Probiotic bacteria could help prevent damage from heavy metals (paper)

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47. BacterioFiles 297 - Defenders Develop Disease Decrease
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.70Mb)

Description:

This episode: Beneficial microbes defend roundworms against a pathogen and pressure it to evolve to cause less disease!

Download Episode (7.7 MB, 8.4 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Ford SA, Kao D, Williams D, King KC. 2016. Microbe-mediated host defence drives the evolution of reduced pathogen virulence. Nat Commun 7:13430.

Other interesting stories:

Fungus eats dead insects and keeps bacterial competitors away (paper) Soil microbes are better for green roof soils than chemical fertilizers Soil microbes make tuberculosis-treating chemicals Parkinson's and treatments can have detectable effects on microbiome Aspergillus fungi have a lot of potential uses

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48. BacterioFiles 296 - Predator Permits Pathogen Penetration
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.08Mb)

Description:

This episode: Tiny crustaceans eat paramecia, allowing viruses to infect algae inside them!

Download Episode (9.1 MB, 9.9 minutes)

Show notes:
Follow-up to episode 259: mass-producing worm spit healing protein

News item

Journal Paper:
DeLong JP, Al-Ameeli Z, Duncan G, Etten JLV, Dunigan DD. 2016. Predators catalyze an increase in chloroviruses by foraging on the symbiotic hosts of zoochlorellae. Proc Natl Acad Sci 113:13780–13784.

Other interesting stories:

Microbes are important for protecting bees Ant bacteria produce potential new antibiotics Old microbes discovered living in mine crystals Skin bacteria could protect against pathogens Author is writing poems in a bacterial genome so they survive the apocalypse (paywall)

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49. BacterioFiles 295 - Fly Ferries Fungus Feebleness
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.84Mb)

Description:

This episode: Fungus-eating flies transfer viruses that help make fungi less harmful to plants!

Download Episode (7.8 MB, 8.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Another example of viruses doing weird things in this fungus

Journal Paper:
Liu S, Xie J, Cheng J, Li B, Chen T, Fu Y, Li G, Wang M, Jin H, Wan H, Jiang D. 2016. Fungal DNA virus infects a mycophagous insect and utilizes it as a transmission vector. Proc Natl Acad Sci 113:12803–12808.

Other interesting stories:

Iron-containing molecules can help various bacteria generate electricity Exercise lifestyle can affect gut community (paper) New discovery of plastic-degrading microbe enzymes Controlling bacterial metabolism dynamically Bacteria in bats could be good at fighting fungal pathogens (paper)

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

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50. BacterioFiles 294 - Bacteria Benefit Bad Burns
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 6.34Mb)

Description:

This episode: Probiotic bacteria prevent deadly infections in mice with serious burns!

Download Episode (6.3 MB, 6.92 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Argenta A, Satish L, Gallo P, Liu F, Kathju S. 2016. Local Application of Probiotic Bacteria Prophylaxes against Sepsis and Death Resulting from Burn Wound Infection. PLOS ONE 11:e0165294.

Other interesting stories:

Bacteria can help cotton plants tolerate salt (paper) Fiber stops microbes from eating protective gut mucus Potential new antibiotics predicted and discovered in human microbes Bacteria communicate to work together against viruses Root bacteria help protect plants against arsenic and infections

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51. BacterioFiles 293 - Millet Microbe Makes Meshes
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.54Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacteria in finger millet roots create special killing traps for damaging fungi!

Download Episode (7.5 MB, 8.25 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Mousa WK, Shearer C, Limay-Rios V, Ettinger CL, Eisen JA, Raizada MN. 2016. Root-hair endophyte stacking in finger millet creates a physicochemical barrier to trap the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Nat Microbiol 1:16167.

Other interesting stories:

Animal study of phage cocktail to treat cholera Soil microbes could help clean up arsenic contamination (paper) Bacteria with nucleus-like structure even have nuclear pore-like structures Using bacteria to find best enzymes for degrading lignin (paper) Making microbial fuel cells with paper

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

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52. BacterioFiles 292 - Testing Tardigrade Tolerance Tricks
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.34Mb)

Description:

This episode: Tiny super-resistant animals, tardigrades, make proteins that can directly shield DNA from radiation!

Download Episode (7.3 MB, 8 minutes)

Show notes:
News item 1/News item 2

Journal Paper:
Hashimoto T, Horikawa DD, Saito Y, Kuwahara H, Kozuka-Hata H, Shin-I T, Minakuchi Y, Ohishi K, Motoyama A, Aizu T, Enomoto A, Kondo K, Tanaka S, Hara Y, Koshikawa S, Sagara H, Miura T, Yokobori S, Miyagawa K, Suzuki Y, Kubo T, Oyama M, Kohara Y, Fujiyama A, Arakawa K, Katayama T, Toyoda A, Kunieda T. 2016. Extremotolerant tardigrade genome and improved radiotolerance of human cultured cells by tardigrade-unique protein. Nat Commun 7:12808.

Other interesting stories:

New sunscreen compounds could come from bacteria Bacterial fingerprints don't last forever (paper) Virus infecting bacteria makes structure like a nucleus (paper) Microbes could produce useful, biological nanowires Finding viruses to control fungal pathogens of plants

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53. BacterioFiles 291 - Pseudomonas Cyanide Supplies Seed Sustenance
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.48Mb)

Description:

This episode: Cyanide-producing bacteria help plants grow, not by harming pathogens but by freeing up nutrients!

Download Episode (8.5 MB, 9.25 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Rijavec T, Lapanje A. 2016. Hydrogen Cyanide in the Rhizosphere: Not Suppressing Plant Pathogens, but Rather Regulating Availability of Phosphate. Front Microbiol 7

Other interesting stories:

Pooling samples from multiple donors could help fecal transplant effectiveness (paper) Phage-resistant bacteria can become vulnerable by taking up sensitive genes How mice are handled affects results of mouse gut microbe studies (paper) Bacteria communicate with electrical signals Shrubland plants and microbes always negotiating

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54. BacterioFiles 290 - Lichens' Little Lodgers
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.16Mb)

Description:

I'm back! This episode: Lichens, long known to be a partnership between fungi and algae, now discovered to have an important third member!

Download Episode (8.1 MB, 8.9 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Spribille T, Tuovinen V, Resl P, Vanderpool D, Wolinski H, Aime MC, Schneider K, Stabentheiner E, Toome-Heller M, Thor G, Mayrhofer H, Johannesson H, McCutcheon JP. 2016. Basidiomycete yeasts in the cortex of ascomycete macrolichens. Science 353:488–492.

Other interesting stories:

Some protists like to eat archaea (paper) Bee bacteria can break down harmful sugars in bee food (paper) Testing how best to use mosquito bacteria to block virus transmission (paper) Studying Inuit gut microbes Temperature affects Wolbachia health in mosquitoes (paper)

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55. BacterioFiles Special - Novozymes' Nathan Cude
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 14.12Mb)

Description:

This episode: An interview with Dr. Nathan Cude, team leader at Novozymes BioAg Alliance, working on finding and bringing to market soil microbes that can help crops grow!

Download Episode (14.1 MB, 15.4 minutes)

Show notes:
Novozymes
BioAg Alliance
Nathan Cude on Twitter and LinkedIn

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56. BacterioFiles 289 - Prehistoric Paired Prokaryote Partners
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.13Mb)

Description:

This episode: Great apes' specific gut microbe communities have been with us for millions of years!

Download Episode (9.1 MB, 10 minutes)

Show notes:
News item 1/News item 2

Journal Paper:
Moeller AH, Caro-Quintero A, Mjungu D, Georgiev AV, Lonsdorf EV, Muller MN, Pusey AE, Peeters M, Hahn BH, Ochman H. 2016. Cospeciation of gut microbiota with hominids. Science 353:380–382.

Other interesting stories:

Gut bacteria could help treat kidney disease (paper) Virus that infects viruses acts as genomic antiviral defense for host Microbial archaeology studies bacteria resistant to copper in medieval foundry (paper) Bacteria embedded in porous stones make good water filters (paper) Computers can use microbes to estimate time of death

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57. BacterioFiles 288 - Caulobacter's Copper Coping Capabilities
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.89Mb)

Description:

This episode: Some bacterial species use multiple strategies within a single population to deal with environmental challenges!

Download Episode (8.9 MB, 9.7 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Lawarée E, Gillet S, Louis G, Tilquin F, Blastier SL, Cambier P, Matroule J-Y. 2016. Caulobacter crescentus intrinsic dimorphism provides a prompt bimodal response to copper stress. Nat Microbiol 1:16098.

Other interesting stories:

Bacteria help starved, developing rats get more nutrition from the same food (paper) Creating gut microbe communities to resist pathogens (paper) Predatory bacteria can treat infections in zebrafish larvae Nitrogen is an important element for feeding the gut community Bacterial enzymes artificially evolved to make carbon-silicon compounds

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58. BacterioFiles 287 - Producing Potent Pathogen Prophylaxes
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.22Mb)

Description:

This episode: Polymer-coated bacteria make really good vaccines!

Download Episode (9.2 MB, 10 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Li Y, Beitelshees M, Fang L, Hill A, Ahmadi MK, Chen M, Davidson BA, Knight P, Smith RJ, Andreadis ST, Hakansson AP, Jones CH, Pfeifer BA. 2016. In situ pneumococcal vaccine production and delivery through a hybrid biological-biomaterial vector. Sci Adv 2:e1600264.

Other interesting stories:

Fiber stops microbes from eating protective gut mucus Potential new antibiotics predicted and discovered in human microbes Bacteria communicate to work together against viruses Root bacteria help protect plants against arsenic and infections Fungus helps plants defend themselves against roundworms

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59. BacterioFiles 286 - Prokaryote Prevents Pregnancy Pathogen
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Description:

This episode: Bacteria in mosquito cells can block transmission of Zika virus!

Download Episode (8.1 MB, 8.9 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Aliota MT, Peinado SA, Velez ID, Osorio JE. 2016. The wMel strain of Wolbachia Reduces Transmission of Zika virus by Aedes aegypti. Sci Rep 6:28792.

Other interesting stories:

Modified bacteria change behavior as temperature changes Ants' bacteria produce antifungal compounds (paper) Gut microbes may be related to macular degeneration E. coli could be used to make vaccines (paper) Using bacteria to produce testosterone (paper)

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

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60. BacterioFiles 285 - Sultry Snow Cell Sun Screen
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 6.82Mb)

Description:

This episode: Algae growing in Arctic snow make red pigments that heat up their surroundings!

Download Episode (6.8 MB, 7.5 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Lutz S, Anesio AM, Raiswell R, Edwards A, Newton RJ, Gill F, Benning LG. 2016. The biogeography of red snow microbiomes and their role in melting arctic glaciers. Nat Commun 7:11968.

Other interesting stories:

Bacterial species benefit from losing genes they don't need Soil fungi help plants grow better in salty conditions (paper) Bacterial predators actually help treat infection in rats Some bacteria produce methane while harvesting phosphorus (paper) Probiotics could help treat skin problems (paper)

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61. BacterioFiles 284 - Remedies Reduce Recipient Rejection
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Description:

This episode: Modifying mice's microbial communities increased mouse survival before a transplantation was rejected by their immune system!

Download Episode (9.6 MB, 10.5 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Lei YM, Chen L, Wang Y, Stefka AT, Molinero LL, Theriault B, Aquino-Michaels K, Sivan AS, Nagler CR, Gajewski TF, Chong AS, Bartman C, Alegre M-L. 2016. The composition of the microbiota modulates allograft rejection. J Clin Invest 126:2736–2744.

Other interesting stories:

CRISPR system can be used to record info in cells (paper) The history of beer yeasts Bacteria could help treat citrus tree disease (paper) Some viruses bud off from Archaea like in eukaryotes (paper) Infant microbe communities different with vs. without eczema (paper)

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62. BacterioFiles 283 - Phages Furnish Photosynthetic Fortifications
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 6.79Mb)

Description:

This episode: Viruses infecting photosynthetic bacteria could transfer immunity to other viruses between their hosts!

Download Episode (6.8 MB, 7.4 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Chénard C, Wirth JF, Suttle CA. 2016. Viruses Infecting a Freshwater Filamentous Cyanobacterium (Nostoc sp.) Encode a Functional CRISPR Array and a Proteobacterial DNA Polymerase B. mBio 7:e00667-16.

Other interesting stories:

Salt-loving bacteria could maintain concrete structures in the ocean (paper) Ancient viral infection changed how mammals develop placentas and muscle Bees and flowers trade microbes Fungi have specific genes that help trees with drought Probiotic can affect Candida yeast's virulence (paper)

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

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63. BacterioFiles 282 - Mycobacteria Make Mice Mellow
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.80Mb)

Description:

This episode: Vaccinating mice with heat-killed soil bacteria reduced their stressed behavior and inflammation!

Download Episode (9.8 MB, 10.7 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Reber SO, Siebler PH, Donner NC, Morton JT, Smith DG, Kopelman JM, Lowe KR, Wheeler KJ, Fox JH, Hassell JE, Greenwood BN, Jansch C, Lechner A, Schmidt D, Uschold-Schmidt N, Füchsl AM, Langgartner D, Walker FR, Hale MW, Perez GL, Treuren WV, González A, Halweg-Edwards AL, Fleshner M, Raison CL, Rook GA, Peddada SD, Knight R, Lowry CA. 2016. Immunization with a heat-killed preparation of the environmental bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae promotes stress resilience in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci 113:E3130–E3139.

Other interesting stories:

Art with glowing bacteria Making good bacterial tumor killers (paper) It's worth considering plants' microbes in addition to their genes (review) Virus affects how bees are attracted to plants Finding new biofuels algae in wastewater (paper)

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64. BacterioFiles 281 - Prokaryote Partners Produce Plastic
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 12.09Mb)

Description:

This episode: Microbes with complementary abilities help each other grow and produce useful stuff from the air!

Download Episode (12 MB, 13.2 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Smith MJ, Francis MB. 2016. A designed A. vinelandii-S. elongatus coculture for chemical photoproduction from air, water, phosphate and trace metals. ACS Synth Biol 5:955–961.

Other interesting stories:

Bypass surgery might fix diabetes by modifying gut community Using bacteria to make wrinkly graphene with different properties Figuring out what controls where microbes live in plants Gut bacteria maybe related to rheumatoid arthritis Gut bacteria maybe related to multiple sclerosis

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65. BacterioFiles 280 - Saccharomyces Smash Small Spaces
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 5.46Mb)

Description:

This episode: Microbes in tight spaces grow so much they can build up pressure and burst out!

Download Episode (5.5 MB, 6 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Video: cells expanding walls of chamber
Video: cells squished together
Video: cells bursting out of chamber

Journal Paper:
Delarue M, Hartung J, Schreck C, Gniewek P, Hu L, Herminghaus S, Hallatschek O. 2016. Self-driven jamming in growing microbial populations. Nat Phys 12:762–766.

Other interesting stories:

Fungi can infect and kill mosquito larvae Buildings could enhance our encountering beneficial microbes Bacteria could generate micro amounts of power Microbes could help improve food supply (paper) Modified E. coli can produce more useful fuels, chemicals

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66. BacterioFiles 279 - Hijacker Heightened Hyphal Heterogeneity
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.90Mb)

Description:

This episode: Fungi control their cell's growth and division with a protein from a virus, unlike all other kinds of eukaryote!

Download Episode (8.9 MB, 9.75 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Medina EM, Turner JJ, Gordân R, Skotheim JM, Buchler NE. 2016. Punctuated evolution and transitional hybrid network in an ancestral cell cycle of fungi. eLife 5:e09492.

Other interesting stories:

Certain starch may help improve gut community Gut bacteria could control insect pests Pathogen produces anti-microbial compounds (paper) Phage feeds on host bacterium's RNA Studying tiny archaea from Yellowstone

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67. BacterioFiles 278 - Fungal Family Friends and Foes
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Description:

This episode: Some fungi change from making plants sick to being helpful to plants! How do plants react to them?

Download Episode (8.1 MB, 8.8 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Hacquard S, Kracher B, Hiruma K, Münch PC, Garrido-Oter R, Thon MR, Weimann A, Damm U, Dallery J-F, Hainaut M, Henrissat B, Lespinet O, Sacristán S, Themaat EVL van, Kemen E, McHardy AC, Schulze-Lefert P, O’Connell RJ. 2016. Survival trade-offs in plant roots during colonization by closely related beneficial and pathogenic fungi. Nat Commun 7:11362.

Other interesting stories:

New E. coli can tolerate different stages of biofuel production Microbes can protect each other from toxins such as antibiotics Even grains can benefit from nitrogen-fixing bacteria (paper) Ninja star bacterial disposable battery Evolving E. coli to fix CO2 (when given very rich food source)

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

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68. BacterioFiles 277 - Sailor Cells Store Selenium
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 6.13Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacteria with their own magnetic compass can also clean up and recover toxic but valuable elements!

Download Episode (6.1 MB, 6.7 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Tanaka M, Knowles W, Brown R, Hondow N, Arakaki A, Baldwin S, Staniland S, Matsunaga T. 2016. Biomagnetic Recovery and Bioaccumulation of Selenium Granules in Magnetotactic Bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 82:3886–3891.

Other interesting stories:

Gut microbe communities are affected by genetics New microbe can do interesting chemistry to make antibiotics and stuff Microbes in the gut cooperate with each other (paper) Cyanobacterium's eyeball ability can sense and respond to UV light Fungus can remove mercury from water (paper)

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

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69. BacterioFiles 276 - Single-cell Slime School
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 8.80Mb)

Description:

This episode: Individual slime molds show the ability to learn about their environment!

Download Episode (8.8 MB, 9.6 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Boisseau RP, Vogel D, Dussutour A. 2016. Habituation in non-neural organisms: evidence from slime moulds. Proc R Soc B 283:20160446.

Other interesting stories:

Lactobacilli could control fungal plant pathogen (paper) Probiotics may not be helpful if one is genetically unable to respond to them Activity of gut microbes can affect nervous system inflammation Biofilms develop good electrical conductivity (paper) Three ways antibiotics affect more than just infections

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

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70. BacterioFiles 275 - Building Bacterial Batteries
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.46Mb)

Description:

This episode: Scientists build a battery out of microbes and electrodes that can store and release electricity repeatedly!

Download Episode (7.5 MB, 8.1 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Interesting articles about anaerobic digesters
Journal Paper:
Molenaar SD, Mol AR, Sleutels THJA, ter Heijne A, Buisman CJN. 2016. Microbial Rechargeable Battery: Energy Storage and Recovery through Acetate. Environ Sci Technol Lett 3:144–149.

Other interesting stories:

Viruses are transferred with fecal transplant, but only ones that attack bacteria (paper) Communities of microbes on skin don't change much Antibodies from mother in milk help babies tolerate good microbes Bacteria could help control insects by killing males More associations between childhood bacteria and asthma

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

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71. BacterioFiles 274 - Proteobacteria Purify Piscine Pee
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Description:

This episode: Bacteria in the gills of fish help break down their metabolic wastes before they reach toxic levels!

Download Episode (9 MB, 9.8 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
van Kessel MAHJ, Mesman RJ, Arshad A, Metz JR, Spanings FAT, van Dalen SCM, van Niftrik L, Flik G, Wendelaar Bonga SE, Jetten MSM, Klaren PHM, Op den Camp HJM. 2016. Branchial nitrogen cycle symbionts can remove ammonia in fish gills. Environ Microbiol Rep 8:590–594.

Other interesting stories:

How do microbes live in the harsh conditions of salt-secreting tree leaves? (paper) Bacteria inside fungi affect how they interact with plants (paper) Wolbachia may prevent dengue transmission by affecting mosquito lipids (paper) Effects from fungi in soil can be detected from space Bacterial mosquito symbionts block Zika transmission

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

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72. BacterioFiles 273 - Bottle-Biting Bacteria
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 6.45Mb)

Description:

This episode: Newly discovered bacteria can break down especially long-lived type of plastic!

Download Episode (6.4 MB, 7 minutes)

Show notes:
News item 1/News item 2 (loginwall)

Journal Paper:
Yoshida S, Hiraga K, Takehana T, Taniguchi I, Yamaji H, Maeda Y, Toyohara K, Miyamoto K, Kimura Y, Oda K. 2016. A bacterium that degrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate). Science 351:1196–1199.

Other interesting stories:

Worms may help gut health by modifying microbe community Figuring out how breastmilk helps babies' microbes Gut bacteria can affect fruit fly reproduction (paper) Bacteria can crawl along and kill fungal filaments (paper) Feeding mice fiber for bacteria increases their anti-inflammatory effect (paper)

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73. BacterioFiles 272 - Parasite Prevents Pollution Poisoning
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Description:

This episode: Worm parasites infecting brine shrimp help them survive better in arsenic-polluted environments!

Download Episode (7.9 MB, 8.6 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Sánchez MI, Pons I, Martínez-Haro M, Taggart MA, Lenormand T, Green AJ. 2016. When Parasites Are Good for Health: Cestode Parasitism Increases Resistance to Arsenic in Brine Shrimps. PLOS Pathog 12:e1005459.

Other interesting stories:

French company trying to create lighting using bacteria (paywall) Generating electricity with clever bio-solar panels Microbiome proteins don't change much, not affected by probiotics (paper) Microbes are important for tasty food Plants can withhold food from uncooperative fungal symbionts

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74. BacterioFiles 271 - Dictyostelium Delivers DNA Deathtraps
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Description:

This episode: Slime molds have special cells that capture and kill bacteria using traps made of DNA!

Download Episode (11.2 MB, 12.25 minutes)

Show notes:
Follow-up study from ep 255 group related to this study

Link to Audiommunity episode about Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Journal Paper:
Zhang X, Zhuchenko O, Kuspa A, Soldati T. 2016. Social amoebae trap and kill bacteria by casting DNA nets. Nat Commun 7:10938.

Other interesting stories:

Making E. coli produce propane fuel (paper) Bacteria can convert algae directly into ethanol (paper) Certain chronic virus infections could indicate your family history Viruses can transfer pigment production ability between bacteria Different sizes of bacteria impose different limitations

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

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75. BacterioFiles 270 - Bacteria Block Bug Babies
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Description:

This episode: Insect gut microbes can be engineered to act as birth control, population control, or disease control for bugs!

Download Episode (13.3 MB, 14.5 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

This Week in Parasitism episode about Trypanosoma
Unedited statement about this paper from Professor Dyson

Journal Paper:
Whitten MMA, Facey PD, Sol RD, Fernández-Martínez LT, Evans MC, Mitchell JJ, Bodger OG, Dyson PJ. 2016. Symbiont-mediated RNA interference in insects. Proc R Soc B 283:20160042.

Other interesting stories:

Various different yeasts help make coffee and chocolate Maybe treating endangered animals for parasites is not a good idea Empty virus could be useful for carrying things to specific places Fungus treatment could help make more environment-friendly fiberboard (paper) Algae can count how many times they've divided

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

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76. BacterioFiles 269 - Magnetic Microbes Maim MRSA
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 10.66Mb)

Description:

This episode: Killing pathogens by attaching magnetotactic bacteria to them and then raising the heat with magnetic fields!

Download Episode (10.6 MB, 11.6 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Chen C, Chen L, Yi Y, Chen C, Wu L-F, Song T. 2016. Killing of Staphylococcus aureus via Magnetic Hyperthermia Mediated by Magnetotactic Bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 82:2219–2226.

Other interesting stories:

Plant root symbiont that degrades plastic pollutants (paper) Phages can kill pathogens in gut without affecting other microbes (paper) Mouth bacteria could inhibit other cavity-forming microbes (paper) Plant accepts help from fungus only when necessary Bacteria seem involved in forming deposits of platinum metals

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77. BacterioFiles 268 - Sophisticated Cyanobacterium Sight
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.74Mb)

Description:

This episode: Spherical cyanobacterium Synechocystis acts like a tiny eyeball in sensing light, allowing cells to move closer to light sources!

Download Episode (9.7 MB, 10.6 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Video 1: Synechocystis cells moving toward light sources
Video 2: Synechocystis cells avoiding point of bright light on surface

Journal Paper:
Schuergers N, Lenn T, Kampmann R, Meissner MV, Esteves T, Temerinac-Ott M, Korvink JG, Lowe AR, Mullineaux CW, Wilde A. 2016. Cyanobacteria use micro-optics to sense light direction. eLife 5:e12620.

Other interesting stories:

Discovering how to get more biofuels out of algae Bacteria could help prevent cavities Probiotic carrying virus in its genome fights pathogens better than without virus (paper) Giving probiotic to pregnant mice influences immune system of babies (paper) Combined phage and probiotics could treat E. coli infections (paper)

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78. BacterioFiles 267 - Crust Color Cooks Communities
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Description:

This episode: Cyanobacteria in biocrusts produce pigments that heat their surroundings up to 10 degrees hotter!

Download Episode (7 MB, 7.6 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Couradeau E, Karaoz U, Lim HC, Nunes da Rocha U, Northen T, Brodie E, Garcia-Pichel F. 2016. Bacteria increase arid-land soil surface temperature through the production of sunscreens. Nat Commun 7:10373.

Other interesting stories:

Engineering better bioplastic production from bacteria Groups of bacteria can show a kind of memory Bacteria in gut are competing and killing each other a lot Exercise helps mice gut health, regardless of weight (paper) Bacteria help insects tolerate cabbage toxin

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79. BacterioFiles 266 - Solar Cyborg Cells Capture Carbon
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.73Mb)

Description:

This episode: Adding exotic elements to convert spore-forming bacteria into light-capturing cyborgs that convert carbon dioxide into useful chemicals!

Download Episode (9.7 MB, 10.5 minutes)

Show notes:
News item 1/News item 2

Journal Paper:
Sakimoto KK, Wong AB, Yang P. 2016. Self-photosensitization of nonphotosynthetic bacteria for solar-to-chemical production. Science 351:74–77.

Other interesting stories:

Unusual archaeal virus sorta looks like Ebola (paper) Understanding how probiotics could prevent cancer in mice (paper) Giant viruses have immune system against virophages Using evolution to help yeast produce more ethanol from biomass (paper) Remnants of viruses in our DNA helps us fight off infections

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80. BacterioFiles 265 - Predator Protein Protects Predator
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 7.28Mb)

Description:

This episode: Predatory bacteria have a particular protein that protects them from their own prey-damaging enzymes!

Download Episode (7.3 MB, 7.9 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Lambert C, Cadby IT, Till R, Bui NK, Lerner TR, Hughes WS, Lee DJ, Alderwick LJ, Vollmer W, Sockett RE, Lovering AL. 2015. Ankyrin-mediated self-protection during cell invasion by the bacterial predator Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. Nat Commun 6:8884.

Other interesting stories:

Bacterial proteins could be used to break open cells upon command Animal gut fungi could break down plant material for biofuels Fungal partners help determine which trees can grow in a forest Parasitic fungi contribute to ocean algae turnover (paper) Fungus in tree inhibits other fungi and plants (paper)

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81. BacterioFiles 264 - Small Cells Stimulate Satiety
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Description:

This episode: Proteins from gut bacteria seems to affect hunger and satiety in their (rodent) hosts!

Download Episode (7.7 MB, 8.3 minutes)

Show notes:
News item 1/News item 2

Journal Paper:
Breton J, Tennoune N, Lucas N, Francois M, Legrand R, Jacquemot J, Goichon A, Guérin C, Peltier J, Pestel-Caron M, Chan P, Vaudry D, do Rego J-C, Liénard F, Pénicaud L, Fioramonti X, Ebenezer IS, Hökfelt T, Déchelotte P, Fetissov SO. 2016. Gut Commensal E. coli Proteins Activate Host Satiety Pathways following Nutrient-Induced Bacterial Growth. Cell Metab 23:324–334.

Other interesting stories:

Now even bacteria could make opiates Soil bacteria slime could help make wound dressings CRISPRs targeting phage RNA instead of DNA can have some benefits for cells Engineering biotech pathways for better processes Bacteria can produce antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (paper)

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82. BacterioFiles 263 - Germ Jettisoned Jellyfish Genes
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 7.66Mb)

Description:

This episode: Microscopic parasites of fish and worms actually came from jellyfish-like animals, after losing most of their genome!

Download Episode (7.7 MB, 8.3 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Chang ES, Neuhof M, Rubinstein ND, Diamant A, Philippe H, Huchon D, Cartwright P. 2015. Genomic insights into the evolutionary origin of Myxozoa within Cnidaria. Proc Natl Acad Sci 112:14912–14917.

Other interesting stories:

Deodorant use affects armpit microbes Mammals like dolphins have ocean-influenced microbe communities (paper) Relatively few bacteria may have immune systems (paper) Diatoms are attracted to silica minerals Interesting interactions with bear microbes and hibernation

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83. BacterioFiles 262 - Pathogen Polyketide Protects and Punishes
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 12.43Mb)

Description:

This episode: Clostridium bacteria that infect potatoes can both kill competitors and tolerate oxygen, thanks to the pink compounds they produce!

Download Episode (12.4 MB, 13.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Shabuer G, Ishida K, Pidot SJ, Roth M, Dahse H-M, Hertweck C. 2015. Plant pathogenic anaerobic bacteria use aromatic polyketides to access aerobic territory. Science 350:670–674.

Other interesting stories:

Soil bacteria protect themselves from amoeba with chemical defense (paper) Understanding how probiotics could help fight rotavirus infection (paper) Bacteria help defend ants from fungi (paper) Modifying useful biofuel yeast with CRISPRs Fungi could make useful adhesives (paper)

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84. BacterioFiles 261 - Pilfered Parasitoid Proteins Protect Prey
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 13.86Mb)

Description:

This episode: Viruses domesticated by parasitoid wasps have transferred wasp genes to caterpillar victims, allowing them to survive deadly infections from other viruses! This means that Monarch butterflies are effectively naturally Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Download Episode (13.8 MB, 15 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Gasmi L, Boulain H, Gauthier J, Hua-Van A, Musset K, Jakubowska AK, Aury J-M, Volkoff A-N, Huguet E, Herrero S, Drezen J-M. 2015. Recurrent Domestication by Lepidoptera of Genes from Their Parasites Mediated by Bracoviruses. PLOS Genet 11:e1005470.

Other interesting stories:

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85. BacterioFiles 260 - Endoriftia Evacuate Expired Employers
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 9.05Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacteria in hydrothermal vents that feed their host tubeworms evacuate when their hosts perish!

Download Episode (9 MB, 9.8 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Klose J, Polz MF, Wagner M, Schimak MP, Gollner S, Bright M. 2015. Endosymbionts escape dead hydrothermal vent tubeworms to enrich the free-living population. Proc Natl Acad Sci 112:11300–11305.

Other interesting stories:

Making bacteria sensors from phages oriented along electric fields Insecticide-producing bacteria could treat parasite infections Probiotics can help by improving overall gut community (paper) Plant virus could induce immune response against cancer Exercise early in life could develop better microbiome

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86. BacterioFiles 259 - Fluke Froth Fosters Fester Fixing
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 13.44Mb)

Description:

This episode: I converse with Dr. Michael Smout about a liver fluke parasite could help heal chronic wounds more quickly!

Download Episode (13.4 MB, 14.6 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Smout MJ, Sotillo J, Laha T, Papatpremsiri A, Rinaldi G, Pimenta RN, Chan LY, Johnson MS, Turnbull L, Whitchurch CB, Giacomin PR, Moran CS, Golledge J, Daly N, Sripa B, Mulvenna JP, Brindley PJ, Loukas A. 2015. Carcinogenic Parasite Secretes Growth Factor That Accelerates Wound Healing and Potentially Promotes Neoplasia. PLOS Pathog 11:e1005209.

Michael Smout's research portfolio
Winning presentation about this research on FameLab
The Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine

Other interesting stories:

Good bacteria help protect fish from pathogens (paper) New microbes from glacial ice could be useful (paper) Making hybrid yeast could create potentially useful strains Cooperating bacteria exclude non-cooperators from their colonies Engineered bacteria can have built-in kill switches to control them in environment (paywall)

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87. BacterioFiles 258 - Transformed Toxin Translocates Treatments
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 11.11Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacterial toxins could be modified to deliver life-saving proteins into neurons!

Download Episode (11.1 MB, 12.1 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Chen C, Przedpelski A, Tepp WH, Pellett S, Johnson EA, Barbieri JT. 2015. Heat-Labile Enterotoxin IIa, a Platform To Deliver Heterologous Proteins into Neurons. mBio 6:e00734-15.

Other interesting stories:

Treating infant formula with bacteriophages could prevent deadly infection Fungus makes silver nanoparticles that fight other, pathogenic fungus (paper) Fungal symbionts affects how plants interact with soil microbes (paper) Bacteria can help control plant-damaging worms (paper) Microbes help fight toxin-producing fungi on coffee (paper)

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88. BacterioFiles 257 - Phage Fibers Fight Phyllosphere Foes
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bact... download (audio/mpeg, 9.06Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacteria have repeatedly captured and used the tails of phages to fight each other!

Download Episode (9 MB, 9.8 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Hockett KL, Renner T, Baltrus DA. 2015. Independent Co-Option of a Tailed Bacteriophage into a Killing Complex in Pseudomonas. mBio 6:e00452-15.

Other interesting stories:

Bacterial immune system can make plants resistant to viruses Viruses are (usually) tiny but interesting Gut microbes may have surprising effects on our behavior Engineering viruses to use quantum effects for better solar cells Probiotic bacteria could help with Type 2 diabetes (paper)

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Thumbnail image: Cultures of Pseudomonas syringae van Hall taken from bean halo blight colonies. By: Howard F. Schwartz, The Bugwood Network at the University of Georgia and the USDA Forest Service.

89. BacterioFiles 256 - Virus Versus Virus
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 8.06Mb)

Description:

This episode: Viruses can cause host cells to inhibit other viruses!

Download Episode (8 MB, 8.75 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper:
Chiba S, Suzuki N. 2015. Highly activated RNA silencing via strong induction of dicer by one virus can interfere with the replication of an unrelated virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci 112:E4911–E4918.

Other interesting stories:

Rotating crops helps maintain healthy soil microbe communities Phages can control contamination in biofuel fermentation (paper) Bacteria actually living in wheat plants affect sourdough bread (paper) Fecal transplants of communities can overcome most drug-resistant infections Finding bacteria that can help plants grow (paper)

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90. BacterioFiles 255 - Colonizer Controls Carrier Cultivation
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 12.46Mb)

Description:

This episode: Some bacteria seem to cause slime mold amoebas to carry around other bacteria for food!

Download Episode (12.4 MB, 13.5 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
DiSalvo S, Haselkorn TS, Bashir U, Jimenez D, Brock DA, Queller DC, Strassmann JE. 2015. Burkholderia bacteria infectiously induce the proto-farming symbiosis of Dictyostelium amoebae and food bacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci 112:E5029–E5037.

Other interesting stories:

Fish oil vs. lard affect gut microbes differently Engineered mix of engineered bacteria produce controlled oscillations Mutation and selection makes better biomass-degrading enzymes Antibodies can be produced inside bacteria (paper) Fungus can be used to kill mosquitoes (paper)

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91. BacterioFiles 254 - Clostridium Consolidates Combustibles Conversion
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 13.94Mb)

Description:

This episode: Engineering bacteria to convert cellulose directly into useful biofuels and chemicals can be tricky!

Download Episode (13.9 MB, 15.2 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Lin PP, Mi L, Morioka AH, Yoshino KM, Konishi S, Xu SC, Papanek BA, Riley LA, Guss AM, Liao JC. 2015. Consolidated bioprocessing of cellulose to isobutanol using Clostridium thermocellum. Metab Eng 31:44–52.

Other interesting stories:

Cute photosynthetic protist could do interesting metabolic processes Using advanced technique to link antibiotic production to specific beewolf microbes Termite gut protist has bacterial symbiont that fixes carbon and nitrogen (paper) Geography and household members influence fungi and bacteria of home dust Probiotic ineffective at preventing colonization by drug-resistant pathogens

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92. BacterioFiles 253 - Probiotics Promote Protective Pathway
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 8.20Mb)

Description:

This episode: In mice and fruit flies, Lactobacillus species induce gut cells to protect themselves from reactive oxygen compounds!

Download Episode (8.2 MB, 8.9 minutes)

Show notes:
News item

Journal Paper:
Jones, R. M. et al. Lactobacilli Modulate Epithelial Cytoprotection through the Nrf2 Pathway. Cell Reports 12, 1217–1225 (2015).

Other interesting stories:

Gut microbes in mice help prevent development of diabetes Bacteria could degrade nicotine to help people quit smoking Even dead probiotic bacteria protect nematodes against pathogens (paper) Discovery of TNT-degrading yeast for bioremediation Engineered yeast can produce opioids

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93. BacterioFiles 252 - Small Cells Supervise Circadian Cycles
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 8.62Mb)

Description:

This episode: In mice, high-fat diets affect their gut microbes, which in turn disrupts their circadian cycles and metabolic health!

Download Episode (8.6 MB, 9.35 minutes)

Show notes:
News item/Journal Paper
Other related news item/paper

Other interesting stories:

Fungi could help clean up lead pollution (paper) Fungi growing on rocks in driest desert (paper) Probiotic bacterium inhibited pathogenic bacteria in chickens (paper) Bacteria survive just from very small amounts of hydrogen Developing ways to monitor microbial catalysts

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94. BacterioFiles 251 - Mycophagous Myrmicinae Mutualist Microbes
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 10.63Mb)

Description:

This episode: Gut bacteria seem to help ants with very restrictive diets flourish more!

Download Episode (10.6 MB, 11.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper

Other interesting stories:

Engineering yeast to talk to each other chemically Root bacteria could protect cocoa plants from pathogen (paper) Microbes important for stress response when mice separated from mother (paper) Bacteria produce antibiotics to compete with rivals in soil Insect pests of cabbage have detoxifying gut microbes too (paper)

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95. BacterioFiles 250 - Bacteria Boost Berry Borer Beetle Babies
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 6.88Mb)

Description:

This episode: Gut bacteria make it possible for coffee berry borer beetles to live entirely on caffeine-rich food!

Download Episode (6.9 MB, 7.5 minutes)

Show notes:
News item/Journal Paper

Other interesting stories:

Molecule from plague bacteria could be helpful removing rust and such (paper) Bacteria can clean up toxic chromium pollution (paper) Chemical from a yeast could save bats from deadly fungus Cocktail of phages works better than single kind to prevent food poisoning Fungi help trees survive drought conditions

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96. BacterioFiles 249 - Spores Survive Spaceship Scorching
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 10.79Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacterial spores can survive atmospheric entry on an artificial meteorite!

Download Episode (10.7 MB, 11.25 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper

Other interesting stories:

Fermenting chocolate with domesticated yeasts could make it better than natural fermentation Bacteria could control robot body in fairly complex behaviors (podcast) Plants' hormones affect the microbial communities around their roots Ocean microbes make clouds that reflect extra sunlight Emphasizing the importance of microbes in the soil

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Thumbnail image: A colony of thermophiles in the outflow of Mickey Hot Springs, Oregon, the water temperature is approximately 60 °C (140 °F). By: Wiki user: Amateria1121

97. BacterioFiles 248 - Tiny Travelers Transport Toxin Trashers
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 14.21Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacteria that swarm around in groups carry other bacteria with them that can be helpful for degrading toxins!

Download Episode (14.2 MB, 15.5 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper/Explanatory video

Other interesting stories:

Bacterium can help biofuel-producing algae grow better (paper) Super-tolerant yeasts found in high volcanic place in super-dry desert (paper) Bacteria living in even non-legume plants (like rice) could fix nitrogen for their host Algae are becoming more popular as alternative protein in food Microbiome resistance to C. difficile infection depends on many bacteria together

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98. BacterioFiles 247 - Animalcule Acetate Ameliorates Asthma
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 12.15Mb)

Description:

This episode: Feeding mice high-fiber diets reduces their risk of allergic airway disease, even across generations!

Download Episode (12.1 MB, 13.2 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper

Other interesting stories:

Challenging bacteria with other bacteria can help for discovering useful chemicals they produce Bacteria's CRISPR systems can affect their own genome structure (paper) Observing bacterial communities to sense pollution in the environment (paper) Fruit fly bacteria reduce aggression and fighting among males Bacterial nanoparticles can enhance x-rays

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99. BacterioFiles 246 - Prowling Protist Predator Packs
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 10.57Mb)

Description:

This episode: Amoebas in soil gang up on and eat much larger roundworms!

Download Episode (10.5 MB, 11.3 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper
Video of amoebas eating worm
Discussion on This Week in Microbiology

Other interesting stories:

Fungi living inside plants produce potential anticancer compound (paper) Local bacteria help protect and nurture crops in Nigeria (paper) Squished bacteria grow as pancake-shaped cells (paper) Bacteria living in fungi that help plants have many genes taken from their hosts (paper) Engineering yeast that produce opiates cheaply

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100. BacterioFiles 245 - Plant Prokaryotes Produce Protective Plaques
http://www.microbeworld.org/po... download (audio/mpeg, 10.17Mb)

Description:

This episode: Bacteria around rice roots help protect plants from arsenic toxicity!

Download Episode (10.1 MB, 11 minutes)

Show notes:
News item/Journal Paper

Other interesting stories:

Effect on gut microbes is important for benefits from fiber in diet (paper) Which aspects of nose bacterial community affect Staphylococcus colonization? (paper) Bacteria passing electrons to each other might help natural gas production (paper) Gut microbes permit insects to eat new kinds of food There's more than just bacteria and fungi (and plants and animals) in the soil

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

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