Project description:Using data from microarray experiments, we investigated the transcriptional changes in evolved and ancestor D. vulgaris strains. gene expression changes in evolved salt-stressed DvH strain (ES, evolved in LS4D + 100 mM NaCl for 1200 generations), evolved control DvH strain (EC, evolved in LS4D for 1200 generations) and ancestor DvH strain grown in non-stress (LS4D), low salt stress (LS4D + 100 mM NaCl) or high salt stress (LS4D + 250 mM NaCl) conditions
Project description:Prolific heterotrophic biofilm growth is a common occurrence in airport receiving streams containing deicer and anti-icer runoff. This study investigated relations of heterotrophic biofilm prevalence and community composition to environmental conditions at stream sites upstream and downstream of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, WI, during two deicing seasons (2009–2010 and 2010–2011). Modern genetic tools (such as microarray) have not previously been applied to biofilm communities in this type of setting. We used microarray results to characterize biofilm community composition as well as the response of the biofilm community to environmental factors (i.e., organic content (using chemical oxygen demand concentration) and temperature).
Project description:We examined whether paternal diet from weaning to puberty induces sperm DNA methylation changes that can be transmitted to subsequent generations. Over 100 methylated cytosines environmentally altered in the F0 generation were inherited by the F1 and F2 generations. Furthermore, the F0 paternal diet was associated with growth and male fertility phenotypes in these generations. Differentially methylated genes also showed correlations with gene expression.
Project description:We found that western diet consumption resulted in decrease in the percentage of normal Paneth cell population in wild type mice, indicating that western diet could negatively affect Paneth cell function. Subsequent generations of western diet consumption further reduced percentages of normal Paneth cell population. We performed fecal microbiota composition profiling. Male mice were used at 4-5 weeks of age. Fecal samples were collected for microbiome analysis.
Project description:Analysis of microbial community composition in arctic tundra and boreal forest soils using serial analysis of ribosomal sequence tags (SARST). Keywords: other
Project description:Although composition and functional potential of the human gut microbiota evolve over lifespan, kinship has been identified as a key covariate of microbial community diversification. To date, sharing of microbiota features within families has however mostly been assessed between parents and their direct offspring. Here, we investigate potential transmission and persistence of familial microbiome patterns and microbial genotypes in a family cohort (N=102) spanning three to five generations over the same female bloodline. We observe microbiome community composition to be associated with kinship, with seven (low-abundant) genera displaying familial distribution patterns. While kinship and current cohabitation emerged as closely entangled variables, our explorative analyses of microbial genotype distribution and transmission estimates point at the latter as a key covariate of strain dissemination. Highest potential transmission rates are estimated between sisters and mother-daughter pairs, decreasing with increasing daughter’s age, and being higher among cohabiting pairs than those living apart. Although rare, we do detect potential transmission events spanning three and four generations, primarily involving species of the genera Alistipes and Bacteroides. Overall, while our analyses confirm the existence of family-bound microbiome community profiles, transmission or co-acquisition of bacterial strains appears to be strongly linked to cohabitation.