Biology

Blogs about biology

The rock sample that was analyzed in this study revealing the presence of microorganisms that remained isolated within it

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An article published in the journal “Microbial Ecology” reports the discovery of living microorganisms in rocks dating back about two billion years taken in the Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) in South Africa. A team of researchers led by the University of Tokyo analyzed rock samples taken from about 15 meters underground in an area that constitutes one of the largest known layered igneous formations.

That area is known for the presence of precious metals but for once, the discovered treasure is in the form of microorganisms that remained isolated in a sealed fracture in the rock. They’re interesting because they have evolved very little over time and offer interesting information for the search for alien life as well, for example, on the planet Mars.

Sugarcane plant in Mozambique

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An article published in the journal “Nature” reports the results of a high-quality sequencing of sugarcane DNA. The name generally refers to the Saccharum officinarum species but actually, the cultivars are hybrids with the Saccharum spontaneum species, sometimes called wild sugarcane. The polyploid sugarcane genome has become one of the most complex known, which is why it’s been so difficult to completely sequence. Now a team of researchers combined different genetic techniques to obtain the genome of the variety referred to as R570, a typically modern cultivar.

Fruit of Arabica coffee

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An article published in the journal “Nature Communications” reports the results of a new DNA sequencing of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) which allowed the identification of various aberrations and genetic diversity. A team of researchers from the University of Udine and the Institute of Applied Genomics (istituto di Genomica applicata, Iga) also in Udine, Italy, used the most advanced genetic techniques to obtain details superior to those of the analyzes conducted in previous years. There’s a commercial purpose because this genetic study was conducted in collaboration with two big Italian producers – Illycaffè and Lavazza – but it’s important to know in depth the DNA of Arabica coffee and also to face the dangers deriving from diseases and climate change.

Southlakia epibionticum, a type of Patescibacteria, growing on the surface of much larger, orange microbes. (Image courtesy Yaxi Wang, Wai Pang Chan and Scott Braswell/University of Washington)

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An article published in the journal “Cell” reports the results of the use of genetic manipulation to study the behavior of some bacteria belonging to a large group called Patescibacteria. A team of researchers managed to manipulate the DNA of bacteria belonging to the phylum Saccharibacteria, which is part of that large group, which is considered microbial dark matter for the difficulties biologists had in studying them. These are bacteria discovered not many years ago that are now considered interesting for their metabolic characteristics, which for example, may include enzymes useful in biotechnological applications.

The structure of the various groups of archaea resulting from this study with eukaryotes as part of this taxonomic domain

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An article published in the journal “Nature” reports the results of a genetic study on the archaea Asgard that expands the genetic diversity of this group of microorganisms and concludes that the taxonomic order Hodarchaeales is the one most closely related to eukaryotes, the organisms that make up all forms of multicellular life on Earth. A team of researchers conducted a genetic analysis of Asgard archaea from samples collected at 11 locations around the world in a genomic research using state-of-the-art analysis techniques. The conclusion is that eukaryotes constitute a group within the Asgard archaea, from which they may have directly evolved.