An Extracellular, Ca-Activated Nuclease (EcnA) Mediates Transformation in a Naturally Competent Archaeon.

Transformation, the uptake of DNA directly from the environment, is a major driver of gene flow in microbial populations. In bacteria, DNA uptake requires a nuclease that processes dsDNA to ssDNA, which is subsequently transferred into the cell and incorporated into the genome. However, the process of DNA uptake in archaea is still unknown.

High-throughput genetics enables identification of nutrient utilization and accessory energy metabolism genes in a model methanogen.

Archaea are widespread in the environment and play fundamental roles in diverse ecosystems; however, characterization of their unique biology requires advanced tools. This is particularly challenging when characterizing gene function. Here, we generate randomly barcoded transposon libraries in the model methanogenic archaeon and use high-throughput growth methods to conduct fitness assays (RB-TnSeq) across over 100 unique growth conditions.

Random transposon mutagenesis identifies genes essential for transformation in Methanococcus maripaludis.

Natural transformation, the process whereby a cell acquires DNA directly from the environment, is an important driver of evolution in microbial populations, yet the mechanism of DNA uptake is only characterized in bacteria. To expand our understanding of natural transformation in archaea, we undertook a genetic approach to identify a catalog of genes necessary for transformation in Methanococcus maripaludis. Using an optimized method to generate random transposon mutants, we screened 6144 mutant strains for defects in natural transformation and identified 25 transformation-associated candidate genes.

Interspecies Formate Exchange Drives Syntrophic Growth of and Methanococcus maripaludis.

The complete remineralization of organic matter in anoxic environments relies on communities of microorganisms that ferment organic acids and alcohols to CH. This is accomplished through syntrophic association of H or formate producing bacteria and methanogenic archaea, where exchange of these intermediates enables growth of both organisms. While these communities are essential to Earth's carbon cycle, our understanding of the dynamics of H or formate exchanged is limited.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Secondary Alcohol-Utilizing Methanogen Methanospirillum hungatei Strain GP1.

We report the complete genome sequence of Methanospirillum hungatei strain GP1 (DSM 1101). Strain GP1 oxidizes H, formate, and secondary alcohols as the substrates for methanogenesis. Members of the genus are model organisms used to study syntrophic growth with bacterial partners, but secondary alcohol metabolism remains poorly studied.

Formate-Dependent Heterodisulfide Reduction in a Archaeon.

Hydrogenotrophic methanogens produce CH using H as an electron donor to reduce CO In the absence of H, many are able to use formate or alcohols as alternate electron donors. Methanogens from the order are capable of growth with H, but many lack genes encoding hydrogenases that are typically found in other hydrogenotrophic methanogens. In an effort to better understand electron flow in methanogens from the , we undertook a genetic and biochemical study of heterodisulfide reductase (Hdr) in Hdr catalyzes an essential reaction by coupling the first and last steps of methanogenesis through flavin-based electron bifurcation.

Author Correction: The Role of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in the Dissemination of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli among Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

The Role of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in the Dissemination of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli among Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.

Antimicrobial use in livestock production is a driver for the development and proliferation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Wildlife interactions with livestock, acquiring associated AMR bacteria and genes, and wildlife's subsequent dispersal across the landscape are hypothesized to play an important role in the ecology of AMR. Here, we examined priority AMR phenotypes and genotypes of Escherichia coli isolated from the gastrointestinal tracts of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) found on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Complete Genome Sequence of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans IC1, a Sulfonate-Respiring Anaerobe.

We report the complete genome sequence of the anaerobic, sulfonate-respiring, sulfate-reducing bacterium IC1. The genome was assembled into a single 3.25-Mb circular chromosome with 2,680 protein-coding genes identified.

Impact of Early Implementation of Experiential Education on the Development of Interprofessional Education Knowledge and Skill Competencies.

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) is most effective when delivered as an experiential continuum. When to initiate IPE to undergraduate college students is unclear. This pilot project developed, implemented, and evaluated an IPE modular project introducing Interprofessional Communication and Teams and Teamwork IPE competencies to first-year allied health professions undergraduate students.

A gross anatomy flipped classroom effects performance, retention, and higher-level thinking in lower performing students.

A flipped classroom is a growing pedagogy in higher education. Many research studies on the flipped classroom have focused on student outcomes, with the results being positive or inconclusive. A few studies have analyzed confounding variables, such as student's previous achievement, or the impact of a flipped classroom on long-term retention and knowledge transfer.