Publications by authors named "S B Busi"
Article Synopsis
- Glacier-fed streams (GFS) are extreme aquatic ecosystems with little nutrients and fluctuating environments, where microorganisms predominantly form biofilms.
- Researchers analyzed 156 metagenomes from various mountain ranges, revealing thousands of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of prokaryotes, algae, fungi, and viruses that demonstrate complex biotic interactions in these biofilms.
- The study found that as glaciers shrink, biofilms transition from using inorganic energy sources to relying more on heterotrophy as algal biomass increases, highlighting the adaptability of microbial life in these unique ecosystems amid climate change.
Unlabelled: Glacier-fed streams are permanently cold, ultra-oligotrophic, and physically unstable environments, yet microbial life thrives in benthic biofilm communities. Within biofilms, microorganisms rely on secondary metabolites for communication and competition. However, the diversity and genetic potential of secondary metabolites in glacier-fed stream biofilms remain poorly understood.
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- The rapid melting of mountain glaciers, a sign of climate change, threatens unique ecosystems known as glacier-fed streams (GFSs), which are primarily dominated by microbial life.
- Using advanced techniques like metabarcoding and metagenomics, researchers conducted a detailed study of the bacterial microbiome in 152 GFSs across major mountain ranges, revealing distinct taxonomic and functional differences compared to other cryospheric microbiomes.
- The findings highlight the importance of geographic isolation and environmental factors in shaping bacterial diversity, underscoring the urgent need for further research due to the risks posed by climate change to this unique ecosystem.
Background: Early-life exposures including diet, and the gut microbiome have been proposed to predispose infants towards multifactorial diseases later in life. Delivery via Cesarian section disrupts the establishment of the gut microbiome and has been associated with negative long-term outcomes. Here, we hypothesize that Cesarian section delivery alters not only the composition of the developing infant gut microbiome but also its metabolic capabilities.
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- Pathogenic variants in the LRRK2 gene significantly contribute to Parkinson's disease, but not everyone with these variants develops the disease, suggesting lifestyle and environmental factors play a role.
- A study analyzed household dust samples from different groups, including patients with and without PD and a healthy control group, identifying over 1,000 chemicals and 163 types of microorganisms, with some shown to be statistically significant in relation to PD.
- Notably, hazardous chemicals like Bisphenol S were linked to negative effects on mitochondrial function in nerve cells from PD patients, highlighting the potential impact of environmental exposures on Parkinson's disease development.