Establishing genetic manipulation for novel strains of human gut bacteria

Optimization of ultrasound-mediated DNA transfer for bacteria and preservation of frozen competent cells

The transformation of DNA into cells is the basis of molecular biology. Commonly employed techniques include heat shock transformation, electro-transformation, conjugation, transduction, and protoplast fusion. Recently, ultrasonic transformation technology has been developed to transfer DNA into competent cells. The transformation conditions, such as temperature and ultrasonic power, were preliminarily studied. However, this technique has not been widely applied because competent cells must be prepared de novo. In this study, various factors, such as ultrasonic frequency and power, were optimized for the ultrasonic transformation of Escherichia coli. The study found that the optimal conditions for ultrasonic transformation with a defined ultrasonic transformation vial were a frequency of 28 kHz and a power of 80 W. Meanwhile, this research demonstrated that combining the 42°C heat shock conditions with ultrasonic transformation is the most efficient method compared to using only heat shock. Furthermore, the cryoprotective agent ratio for ultrasonic competent cells was investigated and optimized. These findings provide new insights into enhancing transformation efficiency and lay a foundation for the broader application of ultrasonic transformation.

IMPORTANCE

Plasmid transformation is widely applicable in gene expression and modification. As an efficient, non-invasive, and gentle method of transformation, ultrasonic transformation provides a novel approach for strain modification. This research presents new strategies for enhancing transformation efficiency and lays the groundwork for expanding the utilization of ultrasonic transformation.

Current Understanding of Equine Gut Dysbiosis and Microbiota Manipulation Techniques: Comparison with Current Knowledge in Other Species

Understanding the importance of intestinal microbiota in horses and the factors influencing its composition have been the focus of many studies over the past few years. Factors such as age, diet, antibiotic administration, and geographic location can affect the gut microbiota. The intra- and inter-individual variability of fecal microbiota in horses complicates its interpretation and has hindered the establishment of a clear definition for dysbiosis. Although a definitive causal relationship between gut dysbiosis in horses and diseases has not been clearly identified, recent research suggests that dysbiosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of various conditions, such as colitis and asthma. Prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation to modulate the horse's gastrointestinal tract may eventually be considered a valuable tool for preventing or treating diseases, such as antibiotic-induced colitis. This article aims to summarize the current knowledge on the importance of intestinal microbiota in horses and factors influencing its composition, and also to review the published literature on methods for detecting dysbiosis while discussing the efficacy of gut microbiota manipulation in horses.