Publications by authors named "Michael Seeger"

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) play a role in stimulating plant growth through mechanisms such as the synthesis of the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The aims of this study were the characterization of IAA synthesis and degradation by the model aromatic-degrading bacterium LB400, and its growth promotion of the plant. Strain LB400 was able to synthesize IAA (measured by HPLC) during growth in the presence of tryptophan and at least one additional carbon source; synthesis of anthranilic acid was also observed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Urban trees are crucial in delivering essential ecosystem services, including air pollution mitigation. This service is influenced by plant associated microbiomes, which can degrade hydrocarbons, support tree health, and influence ecological processes. Yet, our understanding of tree microbiomes remains limited, thus affecting our ability to assess and quantify the ecosystem services provided by trees as complex systems.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

During the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons (December to February), onion plants (Allium cepa L.) showing decay, leaf blight, chlorosis and water soak lesions were collected in Central Chile. Five symptomatic plants were sampled from 20 different onion fields.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Bacterial aromatic degradation may cause oxidative stress. The long-chain flavodoxin FldX1 of Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400 counteracts reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective role of FldX1 in P.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) attack the vine's wood, devastating vineyards worldwide. Chile is the world's fourth-largest wine exporter, and Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most economically important red wine varieties. Botryosphaeria dieback is an important GTD, and is one of the main pathogenic species.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Botryosphaeria dieback (BD) occurs in young and old plants. In the field, the prevalence and severity of the disease increase proportionally with the age of vineyards. Among the pathogens that cause BD, is the most prevalent species in Chile and other countries with a Mediterranean climate.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The increase in microbial sequenced genomes from pure cultures and metagenomic samples reflects the current attainability of whole-genome and shotgun sequencing methods. However, software for genome visualization still lacks automation, integration of different analyses, and customizable options for non-experienced users. In this study, we introduce GenoVi, a Python command-line tool able to create custom circular genome representations for the analysis and visualization of microbial genomes and sequence elements.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Climate change has intensified the infection of tomato plants by pathogens such as Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). Rootstocks may increase plant tolerance to leaf phytopathogens.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antifungal capability of diverse compost teas of endemic Chilean flora inoculated with a consortium of fungal strains of Trichoderma spp. (biocontrol agent) against three important phytopathogens: Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, andLasiodiplodia theobromae.

Methods And Results: Compost teas were obtained from the endemic flora of Chile (Azara celastrina, Citronella mucronate, Cryptocarya alba, Peumus boldus, and Quillaja saponaria).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Heavy metal co-contamination in crude oil-polluted environments may inhibit microbial bioremediation of hydrocarbons. The model heavy metal-resistant bacterium CH34 possesses cadmium and mercury resistance, as well as genes related to the catabolism of hazardous BTEX aromatic hydrocarbons. The aims of this study were to analyze the aromatic catabolic potential of CH34 and to determine the functionality of the predicted benzene catabolic pathway and the influence of cadmium and mercury on benzene degradation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Aerobic metabolism generates reactive oxygen species that may cause critical harm to the cell. The aim of this study is the characterization of the stress responses in the model aromatic-degrading bacterium Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400 to the oxidizing agents paraquat and HO.

Methods: Antioxidant genes were identified by bioinformatic methods in the genome of P.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In Chile, tomato is one of the most widely cultivated vegetables, with around 5,000 ha for fresh market and 8,000 ha for processing industry. During recent years, symptoms of bacterial speck caused by pv. , have been observed more frequently in tomato plants in different regions of Chile.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Gray and summer bunch rot are important diseases of table grapes due to the high economic and environmental cost of their control with synthetic fungicides. The ability to produce antifungal compounds against the causal agents , , , and of two microorganisms isolated from table grapes and identified as and was evaluated. In dual cultures, both biocontrol agents (together and separately) inhibited in vitro mycelial growth of these pathogens.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The use of antioxidants such as curcumin (Cur) or quercetin (Que) in biomedical and biotechnological applications has been studied owing to their capability to prevent oxidative stress and inhibit free radicals. Using polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) electrospun fibers is presented as a proper option to encapsulate curcumin and quercetin due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability characteristics. Electrospun fibers were obtained dissolving commercial PHB in chloroform:N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) (4:1) at 7% m/V, and adding two different concentrations of antioxidant (Cur, and Que) 1%m/m, and 7% m/m.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sulfate reducing prokaryotes (SRP) are a phylogenetically and physiologically diverse group of microorganisms that use sulfate as an electron acceptor. SRP have long been recognized as key players of the carbon and sulfur cycles, and more recently, they have been identified to play a relevant role as part of syntrophic and symbiotic relations and the human microbiome. Despite their environmental relevance, there is a poor understanding about the prevalence of prophages and CRISPR arrays and how their distribution and dynamic affect the ecological role of SRP.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cold stress decreases the growth and productivity of agricultural crops. Psychrotolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) may protect and promote plant growth at low temperatures. The aims of this study were to isolate and characterize psychrotolerant PGPB from wild flora of Andes Mountains and Patagonia of Chile and to formulate PGPB consortia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

An evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activity was screened in DC flower extracts using four solvents (-hexane (Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (AcOEt), and ethanol (EtOH)). Extracts were compared for total extract flavonoids and phenol contents, antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), total reactive antioxidant properties (TRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)) across a determined value of reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG), and cell viability (the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay). The most active extracts were analyzed by chromatographic analysis (GC/MS) and tested for apoptotic pathways.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nitrogen cycle microorganisms are essential in agricultural soils and may be affected by mercury pollution. The aims of this study are to evaluate the bioremediation of mercury-polluted agricultural soil using MSR33 in a rotary drum bioreactor (RDB) and to characterize the effects of mercury pollution and bioremediation on nitrogen cycle microorganisms. An agricultural soil was contaminated with mercury (II) (20-30 ppm) and subjected to bioremediation using strain MSR33 in a custom-made RDB.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The genus has been associated largely with plant diseases. The aims of this study were to characterize the genomes and the virulence factors of Chilean subsp. strains VL527, MSF322 and OP3, and to define their phylogenomic positions within the species, .

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial obligate symbionts of plant roots. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) participate in plant communication and defence. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Funneliformis mosseae IMA1 on VOCs in Vitis vinifera cv.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biocompatible polymer made by bacteria that can vary in properties depending on the carbon source used for its production.
  • A study investigated PHB produced by the bacterium Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400 using glucose, mannitol, or xylose, finding that each produced PHB with different molecular weights and lower crystallinity compared to commercially available PHB.
  • The electrospun PHB microfibers created from these materials displayed mechanical properties similar to human skin and did not harm fibroblast cell growth, suggesting potential for tailored biomedical applications based on the carbon source used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF