Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO) exert minimal adverse effects on microbial communities in soils with and without biosolids amendment.

Increased use of nano-cerium oxide (nCeO) in an array of industrial applications has raised environmental concerns due to potential increased loadings to the soil environment. This research investigated the potential adverse effects of nCeO (10-30 nm) on the soil microbial community in two exposure scenarios: direct application to soil, and indirect application to soil through chemical spiking of biosolids, followed by mixing into soil. Total Ce in test soils without, and with biosolids amendment, ranged from 44 to 770, and 73 to 664 mg Ce kg soil, respectively.

Soil exposed to silver nanoparticles reveals significant changes in community structure and altered microbial transcriptional profiles.

Anthropogenic activities can disrupt soil ecosystems, normally resulting in reduced soil microbial health. Regulatory agencies need to determine the effects of uncharacterized substances on soil microbial health to establish the safety of these chemicals if they end up in the environment. Previous work has focused on measuring traditional ecotoxicologial endpoints within the categories of microbial biomass, activity, and community structure/diversity.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Industrially Significant Bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL 942.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL 942 is a Gram-positive bacterium with several potential industrial uses. We have sequenced the whole genome of this organism to assist in understanding the biological mechanisms that might modulate human health or environmental risk in the event of its release into the environment.

Comparison of Methods to Identify Pathogens and Associated Virulence Functional Genes in Biosolids from Two Different Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Canada.

The use of treated municipal wastewater residues (biosolids) as fertilizers is an attractive, inexpensive option for growers and farmers. Various regulatory bodies typically employ indicator organisms (fecal coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella) to assess the adequacy and efficiency of the wastewater treatment process in reducing pathogen loads in the final product.

Identification and application of AFLP-derived genetic markers for quantitative PCR-based tracking of Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp. released in soil.

In this study, we show that noncoding sequences from amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) can provide robust and sensitive genetic markers suitable for PCR-based discrimination of closely related strains of Bacillus and Paenibacillus, and quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based tracking of the strains in complex natural systems like soil. Quantitative PCR was accurate in the approximately 1 x 10(9) to approximately 1 x 10(4) colony forming units (CFU)/g soil range. The detection limit was improved to approximately 1 x 10(2) CFU/g when amplicons were analyzed by gel electrophoresis.

Development and application of an oligonucleotide microarray and real-time quantitative PCR for detection of wastewater bacterial pathogens.

Conventional microbial water quality test methods are well known for their technical limitations, such as lack of direct pathogen detection capacity and low throughput capability. The microarray assay has recently emerged as a promising alternative for environmental pathogen monitoring. In this study, bacterial pathogens were detected in municipal wastewater using a microarray equipped with short oligonucleotide probes targeting 16S rRNA sequences.

Detection of bacterial pathogens in municipal wastewater using an oligonucleotide microarray and real-time quantitative PCR.

As a first step toward building a comprehensive microarray, two low density DNA microarrays were constructed and evaluated for the accurate detection of wastewater pathogens. The first one involved the direct hybridization of wastewater microbial genomic DNA to the functional gene probes while the second involved PCR amplification of 23S ribosomal DNA. The genomic DNA microarray employed 10 functional genes as detection targets.

Methods of studying soil microbial diversity.

Soil microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, play central roles in soil fertility and promoting plant health. This review examines and compares the various methods used to study microbial diversity in soil.

Simulated microgravity (SMG) and bacteria.

This past century has been a scientific revolution in the understanding of the cell as the basic unit of life. However an immense paucity of knowledge exists on microbial growth, survival, function and structure in space. However, there are significant constraints placed on conducting biological research in space such as time, available stowage space, trained personnel, power requirements, weight and the possibility of accidental microbiological contamination.