An article published in the journal “Cell” reports the discovery of over 140,000 bacteriophage viruses that live in the human guts, added to a new database called the Gut Phage Database (GPD). A team of researchers led by Dr. Luis Camarillo-Guerrero of the Wellcome Sanger Institute analyzed more than 28,000 gut microbiome samples collected from different parts of the world to detect bacteriophage viruses using metagenomics. Over half of the viruses identified were unknown so far. These viruses attack bacteria, so they can help the body’s immune responses.

An article published in the journal “Genome Research” reports the DNA sequencing of Wolffia australiana, considered the fastest growing plant in the world. A team of researchers led by Todd Michael of the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, USA, used advanced genetic sequencing techniques to accomplish this task. Understanding Wolffia australiana’s genetic characteristics means not only understanding how it grows so quickly but also how this plant is optimized for growth at the expense of other functions such as root growth and pest defense. The importance of this study also lies in the fact that the Wolffia australiana is part of the diet of some Southeast Asia populations, and a careful selection of its characteristics could make it an important protein source.

An article published in the journal “Molecular Cell” reports the reconstruction of the folding of an RNA fragment, with the consequent creation of videos of the process. A team of researchers led by Julius Lucks of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA, applied a method that was called Reconstructing RNA Dynamics from Data (R2D2) to obtain details of RNA movements. Specifically, the folding of the sequence called signal recognition particle (SRP) of a bacterium of the Escherichia coli family was reconstructed. Understanding how RNA work is crucial for improving biological and medical knowledge.