Tag Archives: Bacterium

Ancient Bacterium: A Potential Solution or Catalyst for Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

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Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of ancient bacteria trapped in ice. This ancient bacteria could provide insights into antibiotic resistance—and potentially exacerbate the existing problem.

A recent study published in Frontiers of Microbiology highlights the analysis conducted by Romanian scientists on the antibiotic resistance profiles of these ancient bacterial strains.

Known as Cyclobacter SC65A.3, these bacteria have been preserved for approximately 5,000 years beneath a thick layer of ice in Scalisoara Cave, located in northwestern Romania.

According to the study authors, “These ancient bacteria are invaluable for science and medicine; however, meticulous handling and laboratory safety measures are crucial to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled spread.” Dr. Cristina Purcarea, a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Biology, emphasized this point.

As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, conventional antibiotics may soon become ineffective in treating infections.

The issue of antibiotic resistance is largely driven by overuse. However, Professor Purcarea noted that Cyclobacter SC65A.3, recovered from thousands-of-years-old ice deposits, reveals the natural evolution of antibiotic resistance long before the introduction of modern antibiotics.

To recover this bacterial strain, scientists drilled a 25-meter ice core representing a 13,000-year timeline and transported the frozen samples in sterile bags to their laboratory.

Once in the lab, researchers analyzed the bacterial DNA embedded in the ice chips to explore how the bacteria survived such frigid temperatures and how they interacted with various antibiotics.

The bacterium was recovered from the great hall area of the Scalisoara cave in Transylvania, Romania – Credit: Getty Images

Scientists found that Cyclobacter possessed over 100 genes related to antibiotic resistance.

They tested these bacteria against 28 different antibiotics and discovered resistance to 10 of them, which included drugs used to treat infections of the lungs, skin, blood, reproductive system, and urinary tract.

Purcarea noted, “The 10 antibiotics to which we found resistance are commonly used in both oral and injectable therapies for a variety of serious bacterial infections in clinical settings.”

The findings suggest that strains capable of surviving in cold environments may serve as reservoirs for genes that aid in drug resistance.

“As the ice melts and releases these microorganisms, their resistance genes could spread to modern bacteria, further complicating the global issue of antibiotic resistance,” Purcarea explained.

Nevertheless, there is a silver lining. Cyclobacter SC65A.3 contains nearly 600 genes with unknown functions, including 11 genes that have the potential to kill other microorganisms or inhibit their growth.

This indicates that this strain could pave the way for the development of new treatments and therapies, particularly against major antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Uncommon Aerobic Bacterium Discovered Capable of Degrading Persistent “Forever Chemicals”

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Labris Portucalensis F11A Strain of Aerobic Bacterium From the Xanthobactereae Family, Can Break Down and Transform at ThreeS of-and PolyFluoroarkyl Substances (PFAS) C Byprodusts, According to New Research.

Labris Portucalensis F11 CAN BE POTENTIALLY USED FOR PFAS BIODEGRADADATION in CONTAMINATED ENVIRONMENTS. Image Credit: Wijayahena et alDOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTOTENV.2024.178348.

“The Bond Between Carbon and Fluorine Atoms IS IS STRONG, SO MOST MICROBES CANNOT Use IT AN ENERGY SOURCE,” ER at the University at buffalo and suny.

“THE Labris Portucalensis F11 Bacterial Strain Developed The Ability to CHOP AWAY THE FLUORINE AND EAT THE CARBON.

Labris Portucalensis F11 Was Isolated from the SOIL OF ANDUSTRIAL SITE in PORTUGAL AND HAD Utical Contaminants. However, it Had Never BeeN Tested on Pfas.

In The New Study, Professor AGA and HER COLLEAGUES FOUND THAT Labris Portucalensis F11 METABOLIZED OVER 90% of OF Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) Following An Exposit of 100 Days.

PFOS Is ONE OF THE TYQUENTLY DETECTED TYPES OF PFAS AND WAS DESIGNATED HAZARDOUS BY THE US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYT Year.

Labris Portucalensis F11 ALSO BROKE down LOMER SULFONATE.

UNLIKE MANY PRIOR STUDIES ON PFAS-DEGRADING BACTERIA, The New Study Accounted for Shorter-Chain Breain Breakdown Products-or Metabolites.

In some case, Labris Portucalensis F11 EVEN REMOVED FLUORINE FROM The Metabolites or Broke Them Down to Minute, Undetector Levels.

“Many Previbility Studies Have Only Degradation of Pfas, But Not the Formation of Metabolites,“ SAID MINDULA WIJAYAHENA E University at Buffalo and Suny.

“WE Not ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR PFAS Byprodusts But Found some of Them Continued to Be Further Degradeded by The Bactteria.”

PFAS ARE A GROUP OF UBIQUITOUS CHEMICALS WIDELY USED SINCE THE THE 1950S in EVERYTHING from Nonstick Pans to Fire-Fighting Materials.

THEY'RE At the Can USE THEIR CARBON as an enERGY SOURCE.

“IF BACTERIA SURVIVE IN A HARSH, POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT, It's Probable Vecause THEY HAVE ADAPTED TO USE SURROUNDING CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS AS AS AS ASO RCE SO THEY DON'T Starve, “Professor AGA SAID.

“Through Evolution, SOME BACTERIA CAN DEVELOP EFFECTIVE MECHANISMS to USE Chemical Contaminants to Help Them Grow.”

THE Findings Were publiced ​​in the journal Science of the total Environment.

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Mindula K. Wijayahena et al2025. PFAS BIODEGRADATION by Labris Portucalensis F11: Evidence of Chain Shortening and Identification of Metabolites of PFOS, 6: 2 FTS, and 5: 3 FTCA. Science of the total Environment 959: 178348; Doi: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2024.178348

Source: www.sci.news

The Role of a Common Bacterium in the Sudden Deaths of 200,000 Longhorn Bees

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Saiga enters a bar. The bartender asks, “Why the long face?” Saiga responds, “A long nose helps me filter out dust in the summer and warm the cold air in winter. Plus, female saigas love big noses.”

Despite its unusual appearance, the saiga antelope has even stranger qualities. In May 2015, during breeding season in central Kazakhstan, a mysterious tragedy struck the saiga population. Over 200,000 saigas, equivalent to 60% of the global species, died from unknown causes.

Conservation efforts had been ongoing to protect the saigas, which had been hunted for their horns in the past centuries, leading to a decline in their numbers. The sudden mass die-off in 2015 shocked experts and led to extensive testing and analysis.

After thorough investigations, it was determined that a strain of bacteria, Pasteurella multocida, had caused the fatal infection in the saigas. This outbreak was possibly triggered by unusual weather conditions, sparking concerns about future die-offs.

Despite these challenges, conservation efforts have been successful in stabilizing the saiga population, with estimates now around 1.5 million. Strict measures like anti-poaching initiatives, habitat protection, and community engagement have contributed to this recovery.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature recently reclassified the saiga from “endangered” to “near threatened,” signaling progress in their conservation. However, researchers remain cautious about the species’ future due to ongoing threats.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com