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Nishisaka CS, Ventura JP, Bais HP, Mendes R. Role of Bacillus subtilis exopolymeric genes in modulating rhizosphere microbiome assembly. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2024; 19:33. [PMID: 38745256 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00567-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacillus subtilis is well known for promoting plant growth and reducing abiotic and biotic stresses. Mutant gene-defective models can be created to understand important traits associated with rhizosphere fitness. This study aimed to analyze the role of exopolymeric genes in modulating tomato rhizosphere microbiome assembly under a gradient of soil microbiome diversities using the B. subtilis wild-type strain UD1022 and its corresponding mutant strain UD1022eps-TasA, which is defective in exopolysaccharide (EPS) and TasA protein production. RESULTS qPCR revealed that the B. subtilis UD1022eps-TasA- strain has a diminished capacity to colonize tomato roots in soils with diluted microbial diversity. The analysis of bacterial β-diversity revealed significant differences in bacterial and fungal community structures following inoculation with either the wild-type or mutant B. subtilis strains. The Verrucomicrobiota, Patescibacteria, and Nitrospirota phyla were more enriched with the wild-type strain inoculation than with the mutant inoculation. Co-occurrence analysis revealed that when the mutant was inoculated in tomato, the rhizosphere microbial community exhibited a lower level of modularity, fewer nodes, and fewer communities compared to communities inoculated with wild-type B. subtilis. CONCLUSION This study advances our understanding of the EPS and TasA genes, which are not only important for root colonization but also play a significant role in shaping rhizosphere microbiome assembly. Future research should concentrate on specific microbiome genetic traits and their implications for rhizosphere colonization, coupled with rhizosphere microbiome modulation. These efforts will be crucial for optimizing PGPR-based approaches in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Sayuri Nishisaka
- Embrapa Environment, Jaguariúna, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Ventura
- Embrapa Environment, Jaguariúna, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Harsh P Bais
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
- Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), Newark, DE, USA
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Keogh RR, Kozhukhov T, Thijssen K, Shendruk TN. Active Darcy's Law. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:188301. [PMID: 38759204 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.188301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
While bacterial swarms can exhibit active turbulence in vacant spaces, they naturally inhabit crowded environments. We numerically show that driving disorderly active fluids through porous media enhances Darcy's law. While purely active flows average to zero flux, hybrid active/driven flows display greater drift than purely pressure-driven flows. This enhancement is nonmonotonic with activity, leading to an optimal activity to maximize flow rate. We incorporate the active contribution into an active Darcy's law, which may serve to help understand anomalous transport of swarming in porous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan R Keogh
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
| | - Timofey Kozhukhov
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
| | - Kristian Thijssen
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tyler N Shendruk
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
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Jin C, Sengupta A. Microbes in porous environments: from active interactions to emergent feedback. Biophys Rev 2024; 16:173-188. [PMID: 38737203 PMCID: PMC11078916 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-024-01185-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbes thrive in diverse porous environments-from soil and riverbeds to human lungs and cancer tissues-spanning multiple scales and conditions. Short- to long-term fluctuations in local factors induce spatio-temporal heterogeneities, often leading to physiologically stressful settings. How microbes respond and adapt to such biophysical constraints is an active field of research where considerable insight has been gained over the last decades. With a focus on bacteria, here we review recent advances in self-organization and dispersal in inorganic and organic porous settings, highlighting the role of active interactions and feedback that mediates microbial survival and fitness. We discuss open questions and opportunities for using integrative approaches to advance our understanding of the biophysical strategies which microbes employ at various scales to make porous settings habitable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Jin
- Physics of Living Matter Group, Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, 162 A, Avenue de la Faïencerie, Luxembourg City, L-1511 Luxembourg
| | - Anupam Sengupta
- Physics of Living Matter Group, Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, 162 A, Avenue de la Faïencerie, Luxembourg City, L-1511 Luxembourg
- Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Luxembourg, 2 Avenue de l’Université, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4365 Luxembourg
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Rooney LM, Dupuy LX, Hoskisson PA, McConnell G. Construction and characterisation of a structured, tuneable, and transparent 3D culture platform for soil bacteria. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2024; 170:001429. [PMID: 38289644 PMCID: PMC10866023 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
We have developed a tuneable workflow for the study of soil microbes in an imitative 3D soil environment that is compatible with routine and advanced optical imaging, is chemically customisable, and is reliably refractive index matched based on the carbon catabolism of the study organism. We demonstrate our transparent soil pipeline with two representative soil organisms, Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces coelicolor, and visualise their colonisation behaviours using fluorescence microscopy and mesoscopy. This spatially structured, 3D approach to microbial culture has the potential to further study the behaviour of bacteria in conditions matching their native environment and could be expanded to study microbial interactions, such as competition and warfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam M. Rooney
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lionel X. Dupuy
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK
- Present address: Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, Neiker, Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Derio, Spain
- Present address: Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Paul A. Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Gail McConnell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Arellano-Caicedo C, Ohlsson P, Bengtsson M, Beech JP, Hammer EC. Habitat complexity affects microbial growth in fractal maze. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1448-1458.e4. [PMID: 36933553 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The great variety of earth's microorganisms and their functions are attributed to the heterogeneity of their habitats, but our understanding of the impact of this heterogeneity on microbes is limited at the microscale. In this study, we tested how a gradient of spatial habitat complexity in the form of fractal mazes influenced the growth, substrate degradation, and interactions of the bacterial strain Pseudomonas putida and the fungal strain Coprinopsis cinerea. These strains responded in opposite ways: complex habitats strongly reduced fungal growth but, in contrast, increased the abundance of bacteria. Fungal hyphae did not reach far into the mazes and forced bacteria to grow in deeper regions. Bacterial substrate degradation strongly increased with habitat complexity, even more than bacterial biomass, up to an optimal depth, while the most remote parts of the mazes showed both decreased biomass and substrate degradation. These results suggest an increase in enzymatic activity in confined spaces, where areas may experience enhanced microbial activity and resource use efficiency. Very remote spaces showing a slower turnover of substrates illustrate a mechanism which may contribute to the long-term storage of organic matter in soils. We demonstrate here that the sole effect of spatial microstructures affects microbial growth and substrate degradation, leading to differences in local microscale spatial availability. These differences might add up to considerable changes in nutrient cycling at the macroscale, such as contributing to soil organic carbon storage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pelle Ohlsson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Ole Römers väg 3, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Bengtsson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Ole Römers väg 3, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jason P Beech
- Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Sölvegatan 16, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Edith C Hammer
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, CEC, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
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Poppeliers SW, Sánchez-Gil JJ, de Jonge R. Microbes to support plant health: understanding bioinoculant success in complex conditions. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 73:102286. [PMID: 36878082 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
A promising, sustainable way to enhance plant health and productivity is by leveraging beneficial microbes. Beneficial microbes are natural soil residents with proven benefits for plant performance and health. When applied in agriculture to improve crop yield and performance, these microbes are commonly referred to as bioinoculants. Yet, despite their promising properties, bioinoculant efficacy can vary dramatically in the field, hampering their applicability. Invasion of the rhizosphere microbiome is a critical determinant for bioinoculant success. Invasion is a complex phenomenon that is shaped by interactions with the local, resident microbiome and the host plant. Here, we explore all of these dimensions by cross-cutting ecological theory and molecular biology of microbial invasion in the rhizosphere. We refer to the famous Chinese philosopher and strategist Sun Tzu, who believed that solutions for problems require deep understanding of the problems themselves, to review the major biotic factors determining bioinoculant effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Wm Poppeliers
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Juan J Sánchez-Gil
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ronnie de Jonge
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Wisnoski NI, Lennon JT. Scaling up and down: movement ecology for microorganisms. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:242-253. [PMID: 36280521 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Movement is critical for the fitness of organisms, both large and small. It dictates how individuals acquire resources, evade predators, exchange genetic material, and respond to stressful environments. Movement also influences ecological and evolutionary dynamics at higher organizational levels, such as populations and communities. However, the links between individual motility and the processes that generate and maintain microbial diversity are poorly understood. Movement ecology is a framework linking the physiological and behavioral properties of individuals to movement patterns across scales of space, time, and biological organization. By synthesizing insights from cell biology, ecology, and evolution, we expand theory from movement ecology to predict the causes and consequences of microbial movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan I Wisnoski
- Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
| | - Jay T Lennon
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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