Cell shape affects bacterial colony growth under physical confinement.

Evidence from homogeneous liquid or flat-plate cultures indicates that biochemical cues are the primary modes of bacterial interaction with their microenvironment. However, these systems fail to capture the effect of physical confinement on bacteria in their natural habitats. Bacterial niches like the pores of soil, mucus, and infected tissues are disordered microenvironments with material properties defined by their internal pore sizes and shear moduli.

Divergence and convergence in epiphytic and endophytic phyllosphere bacterial communities of rice landraces.

Phyllosphere-associated microbes can significantly alter host plant fitness, with distinct functions provided by bacteria inhabiting the epiphytic (external surface) vs endophytic niches (internal leaf tissue). Hence, it is important to understand the assembly and stability of these phyllosphere communities, especially in field conditions. Broadly, epiphytic communities should encounter more environmental fluctuations and frequent immigration, whereas endophytic microbiota should face stronger host selection.

Impact of Phyllosphere on Host Rice Landraces.

The genus includes widespread plant-associated bacteria that are abundant in the plant phyllosphere (leaf surfaces), consume plant-secreted methanol, and can produce plant growth-promoting metabolites. However, despite the potential to increase agricultural productivity, their impact on host fitness in the natural environment is relatively poorly understood. Here, we conducted field experiments with three traditionally cultivated rice landraces from northeastern India.

Phenotypic diversity of Methylobacterium associated with rice landraces in North-East India.

The ecology and distribution of many bacteria is strongly associated with specific eukaryotic hosts. However, the impact of such host association on bacterial ecology and evolution is not well understood. Bacteria from the genus Methylobacterium consume plant-derived methanol, and are some of the most abundant and widespread plant-associated bacteria.

Preclinical evaluation and molecular docking of 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DTBBQ) from Streptomyces sp. VITVSK1 as a potent antibacterial agent.

The incidence of bacterial disease has increased tremendously in the last decade, because of the emergence of drug resistance strains within the bacterial pathogens. The present study was to investigate the antibacterial compound 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DTBBQ) isolated from marine Streptomyces sp. VITVSK1 as a potent antibacterial agent.