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Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology

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2019

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Use Of Uav Imagery And Nutrient Analyses For Estimation Of The Spatial And Temporal Contributions Of Cattle Dung To Nutrient Cycling In Grazed Ecosystems, Amanda Shine Dec 2019

Use Of Uav Imagery And Nutrient Analyses For Estimation Of The Spatial And Temporal Contributions Of Cattle Dung To Nutrient Cycling In Grazed Ecosystems, Amanda Shine

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nutrient inputs from cattle dung are crucial drivers of nutrient cycling processes in grazed ecosystems. These inputs are important both spatially and temporally and are affected by variables such as grazing strategy, water location, and the nutritional profile of forage being grazed. Past research has attempted to map dung deposition patterns in order to more accurately estimate nutrient input, but the large spatial extent of a typical pasture and the tedious nature of identifying and mapping individual dung pats has prohibited the development of a time- and cost-effective methodology. The first objective of this research was to develop and validate …


Identifiying High Risk Areas Of Zika Virus Infection By Meteorological Factors In Columbia, Lung-Chang Chien, Francisco Sy, Adriana Perez Oct 2019

Identifiying High Risk Areas Of Zika Virus Infection By Meteorological Factors In Columbia, Lung-Chang Chien, Francisco Sy, Adriana Perez

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background Several Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks have occurred since October 2015. Because there is no effective treatment for ZIKV infection, developing an effective surveillance and warning system is currently a high priority to prevent ZIKV infection. Despite Aedes mosquitos having been known to spread ZIKV, the calculation approach is diverse, and only applied to local areas. This study used meteorological measurements to monitor ZIKV infection due to the high correlation between climate change and Aedes mosquitos and the convenience to obtain meteorological data from weather monitoring stations. Methods This study applied the Bayesian structured additive regression modeling approach to include …


Insights Into The Ecological Roles And Evolution Of Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase-Containing Hot Spring Archaea, Zheng-Shuang Hua, Yu-Lin Wang, Paul N. Evans, Yan-Ni Qu, Kian Mau Goh, Yang-Zhi Rao, Sun Yat-Sen University Qi, Yu-Xian Li, Min-Jun Huang, Jian-Yu Jiao, Ya-Ting Chen, Wen-Sheng Shu, Wael Hozzein, Brian P. Hedlund, Gene W. Tyson, Tong Zhang, Wen-Jun Li Oct 2019

Insights Into The Ecological Roles And Evolution Of Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase-Containing Hot Spring Archaea, Zheng-Shuang Hua, Yu-Lin Wang, Paul N. Evans, Yan-Ni Qu, Kian Mau Goh, Yang-Zhi Rao, Sun Yat-Sen University Qi, Yu-Xian Li, Min-Jun Huang, Jian-Yu Jiao, Ya-Ting Chen, Wen-Sheng Shu, Wael Hozzein, Brian P. Hedlund, Gene W. Tyson, Tong Zhang, Wen-Jun Li

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Several recent studies have shown the presence of genes for the key enzyme associated with archaeal methane/alkane metabolism, methyl-coenzyme M reductase (Mcr), in metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) divergent to existing archaeal lineages. Here, we study the mcr-containing archaeal MAGs from several hot springs, which reveal further expansion in the diversity of archaeal organisms performing methane/alkane metabolism. Significantly, an MAG basal to organisms from the phylum Thaumarchaeota that contains mcr genes, but not those for ammonia oxidation or aerobic metabolism, is identified. Together, our phylogenetic analyses and ancestral state reconstructions suggest a mostly vertical evolution of mcrABG genes among methanogens and methanotrophs, …


Reproduction And Dispersal Of Biological Soil Crust Organisms, Steven D. Warren, Larry L. St. Clair, Lloyd R. Stark, Louise A. Lewis, Nuttapon Pombubpa, Tania Kurbessoian, Jason E. Stajich, Zachary T. Aanderud Oct 2019

Reproduction And Dispersal Of Biological Soil Crust Organisms, Steven D. Warren, Larry L. St. Clair, Lloyd R. Stark, Louise A. Lewis, Nuttapon Pombubpa, Tania Kurbessoian, Jason E. Stajich, Zachary T. Aanderud

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) consist of a diverse and highly integrated community of organisms that effectively colonize and collectively stabilize soil surfaces. BSCs vary in terms of soil chemistry and texture as well as the environmental parameters that combine to support unique combinations of organisms—including cyanobacteria dominated, lichen-dominated, and bryophyte-dominated crusts. The list of organismal groups that make up BSC communities in various and unique combinations include—free living, lichenized, and mycorrhizal fungi, chemoheterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, diazotrophic bacteria and archaea, eukaryotic algae, and bryophytes. The various BSC organismal groups demonstrate several common characteristics including—desiccation and extreme temperature tolerance, production of various …


What About The Environment?: Exploring The Neglected Third Dimension Of Antimicrobial Resistance, Paige E. Montfort Oct 2019

What About The Environment?: Exploring The Neglected Third Dimension Of Antimicrobial Resistance, Paige E. Montfort

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent and complex health risks of our time, with links to human health, animal health, and the environment. The majority of research and policy related to AMR, however, has been dedicated to human and animal health. The third dimension — the environment — has been relatively neglected. Conversations about this problem have begun, but gaps in understanding remain. This study explores the key barriers that have hindered developments related to the environmental aspect of AMR and some of the solutions that have begun to or could be utilized to overcome these barriers. …


Glycolic Acid Utilization In Two Species Of Marine Bacteria, Erik S. Timsak Aug 2019

Glycolic Acid Utilization In Two Species Of Marine Bacteria, Erik S. Timsak

STAR Program Research Presentations

Interactions between bacteria and phytoplankton are crucial for the cycling of organic matter in marine environments. Around 50% of organic carbon taken up by marine bacteria is converted into inorganic carbon. The uptake of organic carbon by marine bacteria exuded from phytoplankton is a key factor in regulating the marine carbon cycle. One such molecule that is exuded by phytoplankton and then uptaken by marine bacteria is called glycolate - the anion of glycolic acid, a two caron molecule. Glycolate is exuded by phytoplankton during photorespiration and 10-50% of dissolved organic carbon in marine environments is comprised of glycolate. Additionally, …


Exploring The Potential Of Endophytes And Medicinal Plants As Sources Of Antimicrobials To Control Citrus Greening, Jessica Dominguez Jul 2019

Exploring The Potential Of Endophytes And Medicinal Plants As Sources Of Antimicrobials To Control Citrus Greening, Jessica Dominguez

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Citrus greening is an economically disastrous bacterial disease that infects all species of citrus, and currently has no cure. It is caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), an unculturable phloem-limited bacteria vectored by the sap-sucking insect Diaphorina citri. Citrus greening has spread to every citrus-producing county in Florida; thus, there is a crucial need to develop environmentally safe treatments to reduce or eliminate CLas. It was hypothesized that endophytic microorganisms isolated from survivor citrus trees would show antagonistic activity against CLas; also, that plant extracts with known antimicrobial properties could suppress CLas. Oregano, thyme and turmeric extracts in the …


Inoculating Rhizobium And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Snap Bean Under Salinity Stress To Study Plant Growth And Glomalin Production Effects, Claudia Lyl Garcia Jun 2019

Inoculating Rhizobium And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Snap Bean Under Salinity Stress To Study Plant Growth And Glomalin Production Effects, Claudia Lyl Garcia

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Groundwater salinization from saltwater intrusion threatens Southeastern Florida’s commercially important snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production because of the crop’s low salt-tolerance threshold. The present study was carried out to determine if co-inoculating salt-stressed snap beans with beneficial microbial symbionts (i.e., Rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) can mitigate growth reductions. Additionally, the study also assessed whether co-inoculation had an effect on the production of glomalin, a protein secreted by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that improves soil aggregation. Snap beans were inoculated (-AMF/-Rhizobium, +AMF/-Rhizobium, +AMF/+Rhizobium) and irrigated with varying salinity levels (0.6, 1.0, 2.0 dS …


Developing A Modern Microbiology Laboratory Manual To Enhance Student Learning, Alexander Yonchak May 2019

Developing A Modern Microbiology Laboratory Manual To Enhance Student Learning, Alexander Yonchak

Senior Honors Projects

My project has been addressing the issue of incorporating recent developments in biosafety and pedagogical approaches for lab-courses into our existing educational curriculum by developing a new, modern lab manual aimed at improving experiential learning for introductory microbiology teaching labs. Through researching the most recent safety regulations, industry standards, & guidelines for such teaching labs, my manual clearly delineates learning outcomes to match the skills expected of undergraduates completing degrees within the life sciences. In addition, the lab manual that I have designed has been modernized to incorporate the most recent recommended safety precautions and is written in a user-friendly …


Combating Drug Resistance - Comparison Of The Antibiotic Effect Of Hydrastis Canadensis Extract And Pure Berberine Via Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Assay, William Luke Scott, Timothy D. Trott Apr 2019

Combating Drug Resistance - Comparison Of The Antibiotic Effect Of Hydrastis Canadensis Extract And Pure Berberine Via Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Assay, William Luke Scott, Timothy D. Trott

Research in Biology

Herbal medicines are a melee of complex organic chemicals, making it difficult to ascertain their direct mechanism of action. In contrast to mainstream pharmaceuticals, it is argued that herbal medicines are effective because of multiple constituents working synergistically. The complexity of herbal medicines may give them advantages over simpler pharmaceuticals in combating antibiotic resistant microbes, but these advantages can be difficult to quantitate. Popular literature frequently espouses the healing properties of herbal medicines, but many of these claims are not scientifically supported. Many gains could be realized in public health and medicine if more research was aimed at validating / …


Genetic Diversity In The Leucoagaricus Cultivar Fungus Of Trachymyrmex Septentrionalis Fungus-Growing Ants, Lee Deininger Apr 2019

Genetic Diversity In The Leucoagaricus Cultivar Fungus Of Trachymyrmex Septentrionalis Fungus-Growing Ants, Lee Deininger

MCB Articles

No abstract provided.


Properties Of A Genetically Unique Mycobacteriophage, Amanda K. Staples Apr 2019

Properties Of A Genetically Unique Mycobacteriophage, Amanda K. Staples

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Bacteriophage MooMoo is a temperate phage that was isolated and propagated on Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smeg). It typically produces turbid plaques, however spontaneous clear plaque mutants can be readily isolated. Both turbid (MooMoo-T) and clear plaque (MooMoo-C) formers can establish stable lysogens, but the parental turbid plaque forming phage has a higher lysogenic frequency. The phage repressor protein typically plays the central role in regulating the lysis/lysogeny decision. Therefore, we expected that the mutation responsible for the clear plaque phenotype would be located in the repressor gene. Remarkably, whole genome sequencing detected a single base pair mutation in the minor …


Vertical Stratification Of Sediment Microbial Communities Along Geochemical Gradients Of A Subterranean Estuary Located At The Gloucester Beach Of Virginia, United States, Yiguo Hong, Jiapeng Wu, Stephanie Wilson, Bk Song Jan 2019

Vertical Stratification Of Sediment Microbial Communities Along Geochemical Gradients Of A Subterranean Estuary Located At The Gloucester Beach Of Virginia, United States, Yiguo Hong, Jiapeng Wu, Stephanie Wilson, Bk Song

VIMS Articles

Subterranean estuaries (STEs) have been recognized as important ecosystems for the exchange of materials between the land and sea, but the microbial players of biogeochemical processes have not been well examined. In this study, we investigated the bacterial and archaeal communities within 10 cm depth intervals of a permeable sediment core (100 cm in length) collected from a STE located at Gloucester Point (GP-STE), VA, United States. High throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and subsequent bioinformatics analyses were conducted to examine the composition, diversity, and potential functions of the sediment communities. The community composition varied significantly from the surface …


Undescribed Oomycete Pathogens On Zostera Marina And Z. Japonica In The Puget Sound, Theresa Proctor Jan 2019

Undescribed Oomycete Pathogens On Zostera Marina And Z. Japonica In The Puget Sound, Theresa Proctor

Summer Research

A diverse range of marine organisms relies on seagrass as a foundational species. However, seagrass populations are declining at an alarming rate and recent analysis of seagrass root microbiomes indicates that oomycetes (fungi-like protists that are notorious terrestrial plant pathogens) infect up to 99% of seagrasses worldwide. Shockingly, very little is known about marine oomycetes and their ecological roles. The Elliott lab has isolated and cultured six oomycete species from eelgrass (Zostera marina) root samples: Phytophthora gemini, aHalophytophthoraspecies discovered by WSU, and four undescribed oomycete species. During the summer of 2018, I generated temperature and salinity growth curves and isolated …


Linking Microbial Community Structure And Ecosystem Functions In Acidic Soil From Pennsylvania, Usa, Madison T. James, Sophia T. Farrisi, Shreya Shah, Vishal Shah Jan 2019

Linking Microbial Community Structure And Ecosystem Functions In Acidic Soil From Pennsylvania, Usa, Madison T. James, Sophia T. Farrisi, Shreya Shah, Vishal Shah

Sustainability Research & Creative Activities Grants Reports

Microorganisms play a critical role in the structure and functioning of soil ecosystems. Within acidic soil across the northeastern United States and Canada, we have little understanding of the microbial diversity present and its relationship to the biochemical cycles. The current study is aimed at understanding the taxonomical and functional diversities in the acidic soil obtained from near various types of trees, how the diversities change as a function of depth, and the linkage between taxonomical and functional diversities. From eight sampling locations, soil samples were collected from three horizons (depths). The three depths were 0-10 cm (A), 11-25 cm …