Project description:The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to establish strong biofilms in milk poses a significant threat to the consumer’s health and a challenge for the dairy industry. Here, we have evaluated the efficacy of phage-based treatments (phage Kayvirus rodi and lytic protein LysRODI∆Ami) for combating biofilm formation on polystyrene and stainless steel surfaces submerged in UHT skim milk compared to growth medium. An adaptive transcriptional response was observed in cells intended to metabolize lactose and to increase biofilm formation. Also, biofilms grown in milk exhibited a denser and more complex matrix, mainly composed of proteins, presumably casein. These changes in matrix composition and structure offered a high resistance to both LysRODI∆Ami (4 µM) and phage Kayvirus rodi (108 PFU/ml) individual treatments, although combination of the two led to some reduction in the number of attached cells. Both antimicrobials were more successful at biofilm inhibition, exhibiting a synergistic interaction when used together. Unexpectedly, the bacteriophage treatment exhibited enhanced efficacy to prevent biofilm development in milk compared to fresh medium. The shift in matrix composition and pH modulation might be behind these differences. This research contributes to the development of innovative strategies for ensuring milk quality and safety. Moreover, our results demonstrate the importance of testing antimicrobials under conditions that reflect the real-life application as much as possible.
Project description:Bacillus subtilis has been extensively used as a model for molecular studies on biofilm formation. These studies encompassed the development of complex macro-colonies on agar, the formation of pellicles at the air-liquid interface, and lately the formation of submerged architectural biofilms at the solid-liquid interface. Beside similarities, these multicellular communities also display considerable heterogeneity at the structural, chemical and biological levels. Here we use RNA-seq to analyze nine different spatio-physiological conditions, including the three biofilm populations (colony, pellicle, and submerged).
Project description:Enterococcus faecalis is a common commensal organism and a prolific nosocomial pathogen that causes biofilm-associated infections. Numerous E. faecalis OG1RF genes required for biofilm formation have been identified, but few studies have compared genetic determinants of biofilm formation and biofilm morphology across multiple conditions. Here, we cultured transposon (Tn) libraries in CDC biofilm reactors in two different media and used Tn sequencing (TnSeq) to identify core and accessory biofilm determinants, including many genes that are poorly characterized or annotated as hypothetical. Multiple secondary assays (96-well plates, submerged Aclar, and MultiRep biofilm reactors) were used to validate phenotypes of new biofilm determinants.
Project description:Purpose: Zinc deficiency (ZnD) and iron deficiency (FeD), excess Zn (ZnE) and cadmium exposure (CdE) are major environmental problems for crop cultivation. Methods: Applying Tag-Seq technology to leaves of Brassica rapa grown under FeD, ZnD, ZnE or CdE conditions, with normal conditions as a control, we examined global gene expression changes and compared the expression patterns of multiple paralogs. Results: We identified 812, 543, 331 and 447 differentially expressed genes under FeD, ZnD, ZnE and CdE conditions, respectively, in B. rapa leaves.Further analysis revealed that genes associated with Zn, Fe and Cd responses tended to be over-retained in the B. rapa genome. Most of these multiple-copy genes showed the same direction of expression change under stress conditions. Conclusion: We conclude that the duplicated genes involved in trace element responses in B. rapa are functionally redundant, making the regulatory network more complex in B. rapa than in Arabidopsis thaliana. In total, there were 15 Digital gene expression libraries, one for each of the three replicates under the four trace metal element treatments and normal nutrient supply conditions as a control.
Project description:Investigation of the kinetics of whole genome gene expression level changes in Bacillus subtilis NDmed strain during formation of submerged biofilm and pellicle. The Bacillus subtilis NDmed strain analyzed in this study is able to form thick and highly structured submerged biofilms as described in Bridier et al., (2011) The Spatial Architecture of Bacillus subtilis Biofilms Deciphered Using a Surface-Associated Model and In Situ Imaging. PLoS ONE 6(1):e16177.