Microbial Biotechnology最新文献

Polymicrobial biofilms are a conglomeration of diverse microbial consortia encased in a self-produced exopolysaccharide layer that forms on any biotic or abiotic surface. They are more resilient and persistent due to their enhanced drug resistance compared to monospecies biofilms, making it more difficult to eliminate using standard antimicrobial therapies. The present review discusses various inter- and intra-kingdom interactions taking place in polymicrobial biofilms and accounts for the various underlying drug resistance mechanisms in this complex and heterogeneous niche. In addition, this review provides insights into developing new diagnostic approaches by exploiting metabolites and byproducts produced by drug-resistant pathogens and other microorganisms in polymicrobial biofilms. As drug resistance is an ever-evolving mechanism in polymicrobial biofilms, synergistic combinations of natural products and antibiotics alone are not a panacea for eradicating these drug-resistant polymicrobial biofilms. Therefore, this review summarises both chemical and physical measures undertaken to combat these drug-resistant biofilms and stresses the need to employ ‘omics’ approaches, gene editing technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence/machine learning tools as future perspectives to eradicate these complex biofilms.

Polymicrobial biofilms are a conglomeration of diverse microbial consortia encased in a self-produced exopolysaccharide layer that forms on any biotic or abiotic surface. They are more resilient and persistent due to their enhanced drug resistance compared to monospecies biofilms, making it more difficult to eliminate using standard antimicrobial therapies. The present review discusses various inter- and intra-kingdom interactions taking place in polymicrobial biofilms and accounts for the various underlying drug resistance mechanisms in this complex and heterogeneous niche. In addition, this review provides insights into developing new diagnostic approaches by exploiting metabolites and byproducts produced by drug-resistant pathogens and other microorganisms in polymicrobial biofilms. As drug resistance is an ever-evolving mechanism in polymicrobial biofilms, synergistic combinations of natural products and antibiotics alone are not a panacea for eradicating these drug-resistant polymicrobial biofilms. Therefore, this review summarises both chemical and physical measures undertaken to combat these drug-resistant biofilms and stresses the need to employ ‘omics’ approaches, gene editing technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence/machine learning tools as future perspectives to eradicate these complex biofilms.

Microbes orchestrate Earth's biosphere, yet public understanding of their essential role in sustainability, health and social equity remains limited. Traditional microbiology education often fails to engage diverse audiences, perpetuating gaps in societal decision-making. This opinion piece argues for expanded microbial literacy through interdisciplinary, experiential learning, with exhibitions proposed as critical platforms to bridge science, culture and society. Drawing on the International Microbiology Literacy Initiative (IMiLI) mission, the contributions of spatial and narrative-driven encounters are considered—from ancient memory palaces to modern theatres of microbial activity—in transforming otherwise abstract microbial processes into tangible, transferrable, actionable knowledge. Individual case studies of historic and contemporary exhibitions such as We the Bacteria: Notes Toward Biotic Architecture are examined through a curatorial vision to understand how the relationship between people and microbes can be shaped through experiential knowledge while advancing microbial literacy. However, such initiatives require careful balancing of innovation with ethical communication to avoid reductive or misleading narratives. Scaling these approaches through global collaboration between scientists, educators and designers—aligned with IMiLI's vision of lifelong, learner-centric microbiology education—could effectively engage audiences who have limited access to scientific knowledge, resources, or engagement opportunities and support progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The ubiquitous pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is attracted to γ-aminobutyrate (GABA), acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, tyramine, glycine, and glutamate via chemotaxis. These compounds are all major neurotransmitters in humans. They are also found in various non-neuronal tissues and are synthesised by different organisms, including bacteria, protozoa, invertebrates, and plants. Many of these neurotransmitters increase the expression of virulence-related genes in P. aeruginosa, so that chemotaxis to these compounds may constitute an important virulence factor. The chemotactic response is initiated by the direct binding of these compounds to the dCache ligand-binding domains of the PctC, TlpQ, PctD, PctA, and PctB chemoreceptors. Previous studies have shown that Escherichia coli is attracted to epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These responses are mediated by the Tar and Tsr chemoreceptors, which possess four-helix bundle-type ligand-binding domains. The use of structurally dissimilar chemoreceptors to mediate neurotransmitter chemotaxis suggests convergent evolution. This article is intended to stimulate the study of the connection between neurotransmitter chemotaxis and virulence in P. aeruginosa and to expand the search for neurotransmitter chemotaxis in other motile bacteria.

Microbes orchestrate Earth's biosphere, yet public understanding of their essential role in sustainability, health and social equity remains limited. Traditional microbiology education often fails to engage diverse audiences, perpetuating gaps in societal decision-making. This opinion piece argues for expanded microbial literacy through interdisciplinary, experiential learning, with exhibitions proposed as critical platforms to bridge science, culture and society. Drawing on the International Microbiology Literacy Initiative (IMiLI) mission, the contributions of spatial and narrative-driven encounters are considered—from ancient memory palaces to modern theatres of microbial activity—in transforming otherwise abstract microbial processes into tangible, transferrable, actionable knowledge. Individual case studies of historic and contemporary exhibitions such as We the Bacteria: Notes Toward Biotic Architecture are examined through a curatorial vision to understand how the relationship between people and microbes can be shaped through experiential knowledge while advancing microbial literacy. However, such initiatives require careful balancing of innovation with ethical communication to avoid reductive or misleading narratives. Scaling these approaches through global collaboration between scientists, educators and designers—aligned with IMiLI's vision of lifelong, learner-centric microbiology education—could effectively engage audiences who have limited access to scientific knowledge, resources, or engagement opportunities and support progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The ubiquitous pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is attracted to γ-aminobutyrate (GABA), acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, tyramine, glycine, and glutamate via chemotaxis. These compounds are all major neurotransmitters in humans. They are also found in various non-neuronal tissues and are synthesised by different organisms, including bacteria, protozoa, invertebrates, and plants. Many of these neurotransmitters increase the expression of virulence-related genes in P. aeruginosa, so that chemotaxis to these compounds may constitute an important virulence factor. The chemotactic response is initiated by the direct binding of these compounds to the dCache ligand-binding domains of the PctC, TlpQ, PctD, PctA, and PctB chemoreceptors. Previous studies have shown that Escherichia coli is attracted to epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These responses are mediated by the Tar and Tsr chemoreceptors, which possess four-helix bundle-type ligand-binding domains. The use of structurally dissimilar chemoreceptors to mediate neurotransmitter chemotaxis suggests convergent evolution. This article is intended to stimulate the study of the connection between neurotransmitter chemotaxis and virulence in P. aeruginosa and to expand the search for neurotransmitter chemotaxis in other motile bacteria.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in clinically important bacteria, has posed serious challenges to clinical treatments. Novel and effective antimicrobial strategies are urgently needed to address AMR. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a new concept of disinfection method that kills bacteria through various active species and particles within an ionised and electrical-balanced gas. In this review, we introduced the generation of CAP and summarised its disinfection mechanisms. Moreover, we reviewed the applications of CAP in treating globally important bacteria, including Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus pyogenes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Additionally, we discussed technological strategies to enhance CAP disinfection efficacy and evaluated the safety of CAP applications. We recommend CAP as an effective alternative technology for combating bacterial infections and hope that the comprehensive information provided in the present review will facilitate the development of CAP-based disinfection strategies to overcome AMR issues in the future.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in clinically important bacteria, has posed serious challenges to clinical treatments. Novel and effective antimicrobial strategies are urgently needed to address AMR. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a new concept of disinfection method that kills bacteria through various active species and particles within an ionised and electrical-balanced gas. In this review, we introduced the generation of CAP and summarised its disinfection mechanisms. Moreover, we reviewed the applications of CAP in treating globally important bacteria, including Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus pyogenes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Additionally, we discussed technological strategies to enhance CAP disinfection efficacy and evaluated the safety of CAP applications. We recommend CAP as an effective alternative technology for combating bacterial infections and hope that the comprehensive information provided in the present review will facilitate the development of CAP-based disinfection strategies to overcome AMR issues in the future.

Fungal pathogens are major threats to global crop production, intensified by rising fungicide resistance and the limited availability of resistant cultivars. This highlight article outlines recent molecular strategies aimed at reducing fungal virulence through sustainable and targeted approaches. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a precise method to silence essential genes in pathogens, significantly impairing virulence and development. In parallel, inhibiting fungal efflux transporters—particularly ABC and MFS proteins—has been shown to reverse multidrug resistance and restore fungicide efficacy in pathogens like Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, engineering biocontrol agents expressing anti-apoptotic genes enhances their growth, stress resistance, and mycoparasitic activity. These strategies collectively illustrate the potential of combining RNAi technologies, efflux inhibition, and genetically enhanced biocontrol agents to create integrated, environmentally friendly plant protection systems. Such precision-targeted approaches represent a promising alternative to traditional chemical control, aligning with global efforts to achieve sustainable agriculture.

Fruiting body development is a principal mechanism in fungal morphogenesis, which often involves complex interplays of hormonal regulation, gene expression, and metabolic immobilisation influenced by environmental interactions, ultimately leading to the differentiation of multicellular structures. In fungal communities, including ascomycetes and basidiomycetes, fruiting body development ensures protection and facilitates the dispersal of ascospores. Constrained by environmental factors that vary across morphogenetic stages, a thorough synthesis of the critical ecological optima, which primarily regulate the multi-omics footprint encompassing diverse molecular perspectives characterising fruiting body formations, is key. It underscores that exceeding the critical environmental ranges triggers dynamic shifts that adversely impact the fruiting body's eco-resilience; however, operating below these optima is safer, as most fruiting body physiological activities are generally able to maintain normal functioning and stability, making the present study relevant to decision-makers for optimal fruiting body commercialisation. It elucidates the recent advances in fruiting body biotechnologies, traversing agricultural/food, optimised cultivation strategies, environmental and health, bioactive compounds extractions, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology, promoting scalable bioproduction. Nonetheless, it proposes further studies emphasising omics-driven strain-substrate improvements/genomic modifications, incorporating CRISPR advances, to boost precision cultivation and enhance robust strain design. The study offers promising insights into complementing existing knowledge on fungal fruiting bodies and addresses challenges related to environmental complexity and uncertainties, aiming to drive sustainable industrial biotechnology.