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Rethinavelu G, Dharshini RS, Manickam R, Balakrishnan A, Ramya M, Maddela NR, Prasad R. Unveiling the microbial diversity of biofilms on titanium surfaces in full-scale water-cooling plants using metagenomics approach. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2024; 69:1331-1341. [PMID: 38771555 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01170-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Microbial colonization on the titanium condenser material (TCM) used in the cooling system leads to biofouling and corrosion and influences the water supply. The primary investigation of the titanium condenser was infrequently studied on characterizing biofilm-forming bacterial communities. Different treatment methods like electropotential charge, ultrasonication, and copper coating of titanium condenser material may influence the microbial population over the surface of the titanium condensers. The present study aimed to catalog the primary colonizers and the effect of different treatment methods on the microbial community. CFU (1.7 × 109 CFU/mL) and ATP count (< 5000 × 10-7 relative luminescence units) showed a minimal microbial population in copper-coated surface biofilm as compared with the other treatments. Live and dead cell result also showed consistency with colony count. The biofilm sample on the copper-coated surface showed an increased dead cell count and decreased live cells. In the metagenomic approach, the microbiome coverage was 10.06 Mb in samples derived from copper-coated TCM than in other treated samples (electropotential charge-17.94 Mb; ultrasonication-20.01 Mb), including control (10.18 Mb). Firmicutes preponderate the communities in the biofilm samples, and Proteobacteria stand next in the population in all the treated condenser materials. At the genus level, Lactobacillaceae and Azospirillaceae dominated the biofilm community. The metagenome data suggested that the attached community is different from those biofilm samples based on the environment that influences the bacterial community. The outcome of the present study depicts that copper coating was effective against biofouling and corrosion resistance of titanium condenser material for designing long-term durability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Rethinavelu
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajathirajan Siva Dharshini
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
- Microbiology Team, CavinKare Research Center, 12 Poonamallee Road, Ekkattuthangal, Chennai, 600032, India
| | - Ranjani Manickam
- SRM-DBT Platform for Advanced Life Science Technologies, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anandkumar Balakrishnan
- Corrosion Science and Technology Division, Metallurgy and Materials Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mohandass Ramya
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Naga Raju Maddela
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador
| | - Ram Prasad
- Department of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, 845401, Bihar, India.
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Al-Awthan YS, Mir R, Alharbi BM, Alatawi AS, Almutairi FM, Khafaga T, Shohdi WM, Fakhry AM, Alatawi MM. Metagenomic Analysis of Sediment Bacterial Diversity and Composition in Natural Lakes and Artificial Waterpoints of Tabuk Region in King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve, Saudi Arabia. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:1411. [PMID: 39598209 PMCID: PMC11595862 DOI: 10.3390/life14111411] [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: 08/31/2024] [Revised: 10/19/2024] [Accepted: 10/23/2024] [Indexed: 11/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The Tabuk region is located in the northern part of Saudi Arabia, and it has an area of 117,000 km2 between longitudes 26° N and 29° N and latitudes 34° E and 38° E. King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR) is the largest natural reserve in Saudi Arabia and covers about 130,700 km2. It represents a new tourist attraction area in the Tabuk region. Human activities around the lake may lead to changes in water quality, with subsequent changes in microenvironment components, including microbial diversity. The current study was designed to assess possible changes in bacterial communities of the water sediment at some natural lakes and artificial waterpoints of KSRNR. Water samples were collected from ten different locations within KSRNR: W1, W2, W3 (at the border of the royal reserve); W4, W5, W6, W7 (at the middle); and W8, W9, and W10 (artificial waterpoints). The total DNA of the samples was extracted and subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis; also, the environmental parameters (temperature and humidity) were recorded for all locations. Metagenomic sequencing yielded a total of 24,696 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were subsequently annotated to 193 phyla, 215 classes, 445 orders, 947 families, and 3960 genera. At the phylum level, Pseudomonadota dominated the microbial communities across all samples. At the class level, Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridia, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Betaproteobacteria were the most prevalent. The dominant families included Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Clostridiaceae, Comamonadaceae, and Moraxellaceae. At the genus level, Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Acinetobacter, Paenibacillus, and Acidovorax exhibited the highest relative abundances. The most abundant species were Hungatella xylanolytica, Pseudescherichia vulneris, Pseudorhizobium tarimense, Paenibacillus sp. Yn15, and Enterobacter sp. Sa187. The observed species richness revealed substantial heterogeneity across samples using species richness estimators, Chao1 and ACE, indicating particularly high diversity in samples W3, W5, and W6. Current study results help in recognizing the structure of bacterial communities at the Tubaiq area in relation to their surroundings for planning for environmental protection and future restoration of affected ecosystems. The findings highlight the dominance of various bacterial phyla, classes, families, and genera, with remarkable species richness in some areas. These results underscore the influence of human activities on microbial diversity, as well as the significance of monitoring and conserving the reserve's natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahya S. Al-Awthan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia; (B.M.A.); (A.S.A.); (M.M.A.)
- Biodiversity Genomics Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rashid Mir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Basmah M. Alharbi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia; (B.M.A.); (A.S.A.); (M.M.A.)
- Biodiversity Genomics Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz S. Alatawi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia; (B.M.A.); (A.S.A.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Fahad M. Almutairi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Tamer Khafaga
- King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve Development Authority, Riyadh 12213, Saudi Arabia; (T.K.); (W.M.S.)
| | - Wael M. Shohdi
- King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve Development Authority, Riyadh 12213, Saudi Arabia; (T.K.); (W.M.S.)
| | - Amal M. Fakhry
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21568, Egypt;
| | - Mashari M. Alatawi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia; (B.M.A.); (A.S.A.); (M.M.A.)
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Tong X, Luo D, Leung MHY, Lee JYY, Shen Z, Jiang W, Mason CE, Lee PKH. Diverse and specialized metabolic capabilities of microbes in oligotrophic built environments. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:198. [PMID: 39415203 PMCID: PMC11484240 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01926-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 10/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Built environments (BEs) are typically considered to be oligotrophic and harsh environments for microbial communities under normal, non-damp conditions. However, the metabolic functions of microbial inhabitants in BEs remain poorly understood. This study aimed to shed light on the functional capabilities of microbes in BEs by analyzing 860 representative metagenome-assembled genomes (rMAGs) reconstructed from 738 samples collected from BEs across the city of Hong Kong and from the skin surfaces of human occupants. The study specifically focused on the metabolic functions of rMAGs that are either phylogenetically novel or prevalent in BEs. RESULTS The diversity and composition of BE microbiomes were primarily shaped by the sample type, with Micrococcus luteus and Cutibacterium acnes being prevalent. The metabolic functions of rMAGs varied significantly based on taxonomy, even at the strain level. A novel strain affiliated with the Candidatus class Xenobia in the Candidatus phylum Eremiobacterota and two novel strains affiliated with the superphylum Patescibacteria exhibited unique functions compared with their close relatives, potentially aiding their survival in BEs and on human skins. The novel strains in the class Xenobia possessed genes for transporting nitrate and nitrite as nitrogen sources and nitrosative stress mitigation induced by nitric oxide during denitrification. The two novel Patescibacteria strains both possessed a broad array of genes for amino acid and trace element transport, while one of them carried genes for carotenoid and ubiquinone biosynthesis. The globally prevalent M. luteus in BEs displayed a large and open pangenome, with high infraspecific genomic diversity contributed by 11 conspecific strains recovered from BEs in a single geographic region. The versatile metabolic functions encoded in the large accessory genomes of M. luteus may contribute to its global ubiquity and specialization in BEs. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrates that the microbial inhabitants of BEs possess metabolic potentials that enable them to tolerate and counter different biotic and abiotic conditions. Additionally, these microbes can efficiently utilize various limited residual resources from occupant activities, potentially enhancing their survival and persistence within BEs. A better understanding of the metabolic functions of BE microbes will ultimately facilitate the development of strategies to create a healthy indoor microbiome. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhao Tong
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Danli Luo
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Marcus H Y Leung
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Justin Y Y Lee
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhiyong Shen
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wengyao Jiang
- Department of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics and Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick K H Lee
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Low-Carbon and Climate Impact Research Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Hao Y, Lu C, Xiang Q, Sun A, Su JQ, Chen QL. Unveiling the overlooked microbial niches thriving on building exteriors. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108649. [PMID: 38642506 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108649] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Rapid urbanization in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to place two-thirds of its population in concrete-dominated urban landscapes by 2050. While diverse architectural facades define the unique appearance of these urban systems. There remains a significant gap in our understanding of the composition, assembly, and ecological potential of microbial communities on building exteriors. Here, we examined bacterial and protistan communities on building surfaces along an urbanization gradient (urban, suburban and rural regions), investigating their spatial patterns and the driving factors behind their presence. A total of 55 bacterial and protist phyla were identified. The bacterial community was predominantly composed of Proteobacteria (33.7% to 67.5%). The protistan community exhibited a prevalence of Opisthokonta and Archaeplastida (17.5% to 82.1% and 1.8% to 61.2%, respectively). The composition and functionality of bacterial communities exhibited spatial patterns correlated with urbanization. In urban buildings, factors such as facade type, light exposure, and building height had comparatively less impact on bacterial composition compared to suburban and rural areas. The highest bacterial diversity and lowest Weighted Average Community Identity (WACI) were observed on suburban buildings, followed by rural buildings. In contrast, protists did not show spatial distribution characteristics related to facade type, light exposure, building height and urbanization level. The distinct spatial patterns of protists were primarily shaped by community diffusion and the bottom-up regulation exerted by bacterial communities. Together, our findings suggest that building exteriors serve as attachment points for local microbial metacommunities, offering unique habitats where bacteria and protists exhibit independent adaptive strategies closely tied to the overall ecological potential of the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Hao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
| | - Changyi Lu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
| | - Qian Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
| | - Anqi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
| | - Jian-Qiang Su
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Qing-Lin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China.
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Suárez‐Moo P, Prieto‐Davó A. Biosynthetic potential of the sediment microbial subcommunities of an unexplored karst ecosystem and its ecological implications. Microbiologyopen 2024; 13:e1407. [PMID: 38593340 PMCID: PMC11003711 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities from various environments have been studied in the quest for new natural products with a broad range of applications in medicine and biotechnology. We employed an enrichment method and genome mining tools to examine the biosynthetic potential of microbial communities in the sediments of a coastal sinkhole within the karst ecosystem of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Our investigation led to the detection of 203 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and 55 secondary metabolites (SMs) within 35 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) derived from these subcommunities. The most abundant types of BGCs were Terpene, Nonribosomal peptide-synthetase, and Type III polyketide synthase. Some of the in silico identified BGCs and SMs have been previously reported to exhibit biological activities against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Others could play significant roles in the sinkhole ecosystem, such as iron solubilization and osmotic stress protection. Interestingly, 75% of the BGCs showed no sequence homology with bacterial BGCs previously reported in the MiBIG database. This suggests that the microbial communities in this environment could be an untapped source of genes encoding novel specialized compounds. The majority of the BGCs were identified in pathways found in the genus Virgibacillus, followed by Sporosarcina, Siminovitchia, Rhodococcus, and Halomonas. The latter, along with Paraclostridium and Lysinibacillus, had the highest number of identified BGC types. This study offers fresh insights into the potential ecological role of SMs from sediment microbial communities in an unexplored environment, underscoring their value as a source of novel natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Suárez‐Moo
- Unidad de Química‐Sisal, Facultad de QuímicaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoSisalYucatánMéxico
| | - Alejandra Prieto‐Davó
- Unidad de Química‐Sisal, Facultad de QuímicaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoSisalYucatánMéxico
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Du S, Tong X, Leung MHY, Betts RJ, Woo AC, Bastien P, Misra N, Aguilar L, Clavaud C, Lee PKH. Chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons alters skin virome composition and virus-host interactions. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae218. [PMID: 39450991 PMCID: PMC11549919 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2024] [Revised: 10/22/2024] [Accepted: 10/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polluted air influences the composition of the skin microbiome, which in turn is associated with altered skin phenotypes. However, the interactions between PAH exposure and viromes are unclear. This study aims to elucidate how PAH exposure affects the composition and function of skin viruses, their role in shaping the metabolism of bacterial hosts, and the subsequent effects on skin phenotype. We analyzed metagenomes from cheek skin swabs collected from 124 Chinese women in our previous study and found that the viruses associated with the two microbiome cutotypes had distinct diversities, compositions, functions, and lifestyles following PAH exposure. Moreover, exposure to high concentrations of PAHs substantially increased interactions between viruses and certain biodegrading bacteria. Under high-PAH exposure, the viruses were enriched in xenobiotic degradation functions, and there was evidence suggesting that the insertion of bacteriophage-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes into hosts aids biodegradation. Under low-PAH exposure conditions, the interactions followed the "Piggyback-the-Winner" model, with Cutibacterium acnes being "winners," whereas under high-PAH exposure, they followed the "Piggyback-the-Persistent" model, with biodegradation bacteria being "persistent." These findings highlight the impact of air pollutants on skin bacteria and viruses, their interactions, and their modulation of skin health. Understanding these intricate relationships could provide insights for developing targeted strategies to maintain skin health in polluted environments, emphasizing the importance of mitigating pollutant exposure and harnessing the potential of viruses to help counteract the adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shicong Du
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xinzhao Tong
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Ren’ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Marcus H Y Leung
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Richard J Betts
- L’Oréal Research and Innovation, Raffles Quay, North Tower, 048583, Singapore
| | - Anthony C Woo
- L’Oréal Research and Innovation, Rue Blaise-Pascal, Aulnay-Sous-Bois, 93600, France
| | - Philippe Bastien
- L’Oréal Research and Innovation, Rue Blaise-Pascal, Aulnay-Sous-Bois, 93600, France
| | - Namita Misra
- L’Oréal Research and Innovation, Rue Blaise-Pascal, Aulnay-Sous-Bois, 93600, France
| | - Luc Aguilar
- L’Oréal Research and Innovation, Rue Blaise-Pascal, Aulnay-Sous-Bois, 93600, France
| | - Cécile Clavaud
- L’Oréal Research and Innovation, Rue Blaise-Pascal, Aulnay-Sous-Bois, 93600, France
| | - Patrick K H Lee
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Low-Carbon and Climate Impact Research Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Gaylarde CC, Ortega-Morales BO. Biodeterioration and Chemical Corrosion of Concrete in the Marine Environment: Too Complex for Prediction. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2438. [PMID: 37894096 PMCID: PMC10609443 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102438] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Concrete is the most utilized construction material worldwide. In the marine environment, it is subject to chemical degradation through reactions with chloride (the most important ion), and sulfate and magnesium ions in seawater, and to biodeterioration resulting from biological (initially microbiological) activities, principally acid production. These two types of corrosions are reviewed and the failure of attempts to predict the degree of deterioration resulting from each is noted. Chemical (abiotic) corrosion is greatest in the splash zone of coastal constructions, while phenomenological evidence suggests that biodeterioration is greatest in tidal zones. There have been no comparative experiments to determine the rates and types of microbial biofilm formation in these zones. Both chemical and microbiological concrete deteriorations are complex and have not been successfully modeled. The interaction between abiotic corrosion and biofilm formation is considered. EPS can maintain surface hydration, potentially reducing abiotic corrosion. The early marine biofilm contains relatively specific bacterial colonizers, including cyanobacteria and proteobacteria; these change over time, producing a generic concrete biofilm, but the adhesion of microorganisms to concrete in the oceans has been little investigated. The colonization of artificial reefs is briefly discussed. Concrete appears to be a relatively prescriptive substrate, with modifications necessary to increase colonization for the required goal of increasing biological diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine C. Gaylarde
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, 770 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Benjamin Otto Ortega-Morales
- Center of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Agustín Melgar s/n entre Juan de la Barrera y Calle 20, Col. Buenavista, San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche 24039, Mexico;
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8
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Young GR, Sherry A, Smith DL. Built environment microbiomes transition from outdoor to human-associated communities after construction and commissioning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15854. [PMID: 37740013 PMCID: PMC10516947 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42427-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiota of the built environment is linked to usage, materials and, perhaps most importantly, human health. Many studies have attempted to identify ways of modulating microbial communities within built environments to promote health. None have explored how these complex communities assemble initially, following construction of new built environments. This study used high-throughput targeted sequencing approaches to explore bacterial community acquisition and development throughout the construction of a new build. Microbial sampling spanned from site identification, through the construction process to commissioning and use. Following commissioning of the building, bacterial richness and diversity were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) and community structure was altered (R2 = 0.14; P = 0.001). Greater longitudinal community stability was observed in outdoor environments than indoor environments. Community flux in indoor environments was associated with human interventions driving environmental selection, which increased 10.4% in indoor environments following commissioning. Increased environmental selection coincided with a 12% reduction in outdoor community influence on indoor microbiomes (P = 2.00 × 10-15). Indoor communities became significantly enriched with human associated genera including Escherichia, Pseudomonas, and Klebsiella spp. These data represent the first to characterize the initial assembly of bacterial communities in built environments and will inform future studies aiming to modulate built environment microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory R Young
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, NE1 8ST, UK
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Angela Sherry
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, NE1 8ST, UK
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Darren L Smith
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, NE1 8ST, UK.
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle, NE1 8ST, UK.
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9
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Du S, Tong X, Lai ACK, Chan CK, Mason CE, Lee PKH. Highly host-linked viromes in the built environment possess habitat-dependent diversity and functions for potential virus-host coevolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2676. [PMID: 37160974 PMCID: PMC10169181 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38400-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses in built environments (BEs) raise public health concerns, yet they are generally less studied than bacteria. To better understand viral dynamics in BEs, this study assesses viromes from 11 habitats across four types of BEs with low to high occupancy. The diversity, composition, metabolic functions, and lifestyles of the viromes are found to be habitat dependent. Caudoviricetes species are ubiquitous on surface habitats in the BEs, and some of them are distinct from those present in other environments. Antimicrobial resistance genes are identified in viruses inhabiting surfaces frequently touched by occupants and in viruses inhabiting occupants' skin. Diverse CRISPR/Cas immunity systems and anti-CRISPR proteins are found in bacterial hosts and viruses, respectively, consistent with the strongly coupled virus-host links. Evidence of viruses potentially aiding host adaptation in a specific-habitat manner is identified through a unique gene insertion. This work illustrates that virus-host interactions occur frequently in BEs and that viruses are integral members of BE microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shicong Du
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xinzhao Tong
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, P. R. China
| | - Alvin C K Lai
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chak K Chan
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick K H Lee
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Li K, Methé BA, Fitch A, Gentry H, Kessinger C, Patel A, Petraglia V, Swamy P, Morris A. Gut and oral microbiota associations with viral mitigation behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:966361. [PMID: 36159641 PMCID: PMC9500509 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.966361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Imposition of social and health behavior mitigations are important control measures in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although postulated that these measures may impact the human microbiota including losses in diversity from heightened hygiene and social distancing measures, this hypothesis remains to be tested. Other impacts on the microbiota and host mental and physical health status associations from these measures are also not well-studied. Here we examine changes in stool and oral microbiota by analyzing 16S rRNA gene sequence taxonomic profiles from the same individuals during pre-pandemic (before March 2020) and early pandemic (May-November 2020) phases. During the early pandemic phase, individuals were also surveyed using questionnaires to report health histories, anxiety, depression, sleep and other lifestyle behaviors in a cohort of predominantly Caucasian adults (mean age = 61.5 years) with the majority reporting at least one underlying co-morbidity. We identified changes in microbiota (stool n = 288; oral n = 89) between pre-pandemic and early pandemic time points from the same subject and associated these differences with questionnaire responses using linear statistical models and hierarchical clustering of microbiota composition coupled to logistic regression. While a trend in loss of diversity was identified between pre-pandemic and early pandemic time points it was not statistically significant. Paired difference analyses between individuals identified fewer significant changes between pre-pandemic and early pandemic microbiota in those who reported fewer comorbidities. Cluster transition analyses of stool and saliva microbiota determined most individuals remained in the same cluster assignments from the pre-pandemic to early pandemic period. Individuals with microbiota that shifted in composition, causing them to depart a pre-pandemic cluster, reported more health issues and pandemic-associated worries. Collectively, our study identified that stool and saliva microbiota from the pre-pandemic to early pandemic periods largely exhibited ecological stability (especially stool microbiota) with most associations in loss of diversity or changes in composition related to more reported health issues and pandemic-associated worries. Longitudinal observational cohorts are necessary to monitor the microbiome in response to pandemics and changes in public health measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin Li
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Barbara A. Methé
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Adam Fitch
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Heather Gentry
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Cathy Kessinger
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Asha Patel
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Vickie Petraglia
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Pruthvi Swamy
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Alison Morris
- Center for Medicine and the Microbiome, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Wang P, Li M, Dong L, Zhang C, Xie W. Comparative Genomics of Thaumarchaeota From Deep-Sea Sponges Reveal Their Niche Adaptation. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:869834. [PMID: 35859738 PMCID: PMC9289680 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.869834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Thaumarchaeota account for a large portion of microbial symbionts in deep-sea sponges and are even dominant in some cases. In this study, we investigated three new sponge-associated Thaumarchaeota from the deep West Pacific Ocean. Thaumarchaeota were found to be the most dominant phylum in this sponge by both prokaryotic 16S rRNA amplicons and metagenomic sequencing. Fifty-seven published Thaumarchaeota genomes from sponges and other habitats were included for genomic comparison. Similar to shallow sponge-associated Thaumarchaeota, those Thaumarchaeota in deep-sea sponges have extended genome sizes and lower coding density compared with their free-living lineages. Thaumarchaeota in deep-sea sponges were specifically enriched in genes related to stress adapting, symbiotic adhesion and stability, host–microbe interaction and protein transportation. The genes involved in defense mechanisms, such as the restriction-modification system, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas system, and toxin-antitoxin system were commonly enriched in both shallow and deep sponge-associated Thaumarchaeota. Our study demonstrates the significant effects of both depth and symbiosis on forming genomic characteristics of Thaumarchaeota, and provides novel insights into their niche adaptation in deep-sea sponges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Minchun Li
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Liang Dong
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wei Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Xie,
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