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Hallsworth JE, Udaondo Z, Pedrós‐Alió C, Höfer J, Benison KC, Lloyd KG, Cordero RJB, de Campos CBL, Yakimov MM, Amils R. Scientific novelty beyond the experiment. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1131-1173. [PMID: 36786388 PMCID: PMC10221578 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Practical experiments drive important scientific discoveries in biology, but theory-based research studies also contribute novel-sometimes paradigm-changing-findings. Here, we appraise the roles of theory-based approaches focusing on the experiment-dominated wet-biology research areas of microbial growth and survival, cell physiology, host-pathogen interactions, and competitive or symbiotic interactions. Additional examples relate to analyses of genome-sequence data, climate change and planetary health, habitability, and astrobiology. We assess the importance of thought at each step of the research process; the roles of natural philosophy, and inconsistencies in logic and language, as drivers of scientific progress; the value of thought experiments; the use and limitations of artificial intelligence technologies, including their potential for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research; and other instances when theory is the most-direct and most-scientifically robust route to scientific novelty including the development of techniques for practical experimentation or fieldwork. We highlight the intrinsic need for human engagement in scientific innovation, an issue pertinent to the ongoing controversy over papers authored using/authored by artificial intelligence (such as the large language model/chatbot ChatGPT). Other issues discussed are the way in which aspects of language can bias thinking towards the spatial rather than the temporal (and how this biased thinking can lead to skewed scientific terminology); receptivity to research that is non-mainstream; and the importance of theory-based science in education and epistemology. Whereas we briefly highlight classic works (those by Oakes Ames, Francis H.C. Crick and James D. Watson, Charles R. Darwin, Albert Einstein, James E. Lovelock, Lynn Margulis, Gilbert Ryle, Erwin R.J.A. Schrödinger, Alan M. Turing, and others), the focus is on microbiology studies that are more-recent, discussing these in the context of the scientific process and the types of scientific novelty that they represent. These include several studies carried out during the 2020 to 2022 lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic when access to research laboratories was disallowed (or limited). We interviewed the authors of some of the featured microbiology-related papers and-although we ourselves are involved in laboratory experiments and practical fieldwork-also drew from our own research experiences showing that such studies can not only produce new scientific findings but can also transcend barriers between disciplines, act counter to scientific reductionism, integrate biological data across different timescales and levels of complexity, and circumvent constraints imposed by practical techniques. In relation to urgent research needs, we believe that climate change and other global challenges may require approaches beyond the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Zulema Udaondo
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Carlos Pedrós‐Alió
- Department of Systems BiologyCentro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Juan Höfer
- Escuela de Ciencias del MarPontificia Universidad Católica de ValparaísoValparaísoChile
| | - Kathleen C. Benison
- Department of Geology and GeographyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Karen G. Lloyd
- Microbiology DepartmentUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Radamés J. B. Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Claudia B. L. de Campos
- Institute of Science and TechnologyUniversidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP)São José dos CamposSPBrazil
| | | | - Ricardo Amils
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC‐UAM)Nicolás Cabrera n° 1, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Department of Planetology and HabitabilityCentro de Astrobiología (INTA‐CSIC)Torrejón de ArdozSpain
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Krell T, Gavira JA, Roca A, Matilla MA. The emerging role of auxins as bacterial signal molecules: Potential biotechnological applications. Microb Biotechnol 2023. [PMID: 37466451 PMCID: PMC10364314 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are exposed in their natural niches to a wide diversity of signal molecules. Specific detection of these signals results in alterations in microbial metabolism and physiology. Auxins like indole-3-acetic acid are key phytohormones that regulate plant growth and development. Nonetheless, auxin biosynthesis is not restricted to plants but is ubiquitous in all kingdoms of life. This wide phylogenetic distribution of auxins production, together with the diversity of regulated cellular processes, have made auxins key intra- and inter-kingdom signal molecules in life modulating, for example microbial physiology, metabolism and virulence. Despite their increasing importance as global signal molecules, the mechanisms by which auxins perform their regulatory functions in microorganisms are largely unknown. In this article, we outline recent research that has advanced our knowledge of the mechanisms of bacterial auxin perception. We also highlight the potential applications of this research in aspects such as antibiotic production, biosensor design, plant microbiome engineering and antivirulence therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Krell
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - José A Gavira
- Laboratory of Crystallographic Studies, IACT (CSIC-UGR), Armilla, Spain
| | - Amalia Roca
- Department of Microbiology, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel A Matilla
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
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Anand S, Hallsworth JE, Timmis J, Verstraete W, Casadevall A, Ramos JL, Sood U, Kumar R, Hira P, Dogra Rawat C, Kumar A, Lal S, Lal R, Timmis K. Weaponising microbes for peace. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1091-1111. [PMID: 36880421 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
There is much human disadvantage and unmet need in the world, including deficits in basic resources and services considered to be human rights, such as drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, healthy nutrition, access to basic healthcare, and a clean environment. Furthermore, there are substantive asymmetries in the distribution of key resources among peoples. These deficits and asymmetries can lead to local and regional crises among peoples competing for limited resources, which, in turn, can become sources of discontent and conflict. Such conflicts have the potential to escalate into regional wars and even lead to global instability. Ergo: in addition to moral and ethical imperatives to level up, to ensure that all peoples have basic resources and services essential for healthy living and to reduce inequalities, all nations have a self-interest to pursue with determination all available avenues to promote peace through reducing sources of conflicts in the world. Microorganisms and pertinent microbial technologies have unique and exceptional abilities to provide, or contribute to the provision of, basic resources and services that are lacking in many parts of the world, and thereby address key deficits that might constitute sources of conflict. However, the deployment of such technologies to this end is seriously underexploited. Here, we highlight some of the key available and emerging technologies that demand greater consideration and exploitation in endeavours to eliminate unnecessary deprivations, enable healthy lives of all and remove preventable grounds for competition over limited resources that can escalate into conflicts in the world. We exhort central actors: microbiologists, funding agencies and philanthropic organisations, politicians worldwide and international governmental and non-governmental organisations, to engage - in full partnership - with all relevant stakeholders, to 'weaponise' microbes and microbial technologies to fight resource deficits and asymmetries, in particular among the most vulnerable populations, and thereby create humanitarian conditions more conducive to harmony and peace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailly Anand
- Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - James Timmis
- Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willy Verstraete
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Utkarsh Sood
- Department of Zoology, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Roshan Kumar
- Post-Graduate Department of Zoology, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India
| | - Princy Hira
- Department of Zoology, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Charu Dogra Rawat
- Department of Zoology, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Abhilash Kumar
- Department of Zoology, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Sukanya Lal
- PhiXgen Pvt. Ltd, Gurugram, Gurgaon, Haryana, India
| | - Rup Lal
- Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Govindpuri, Kalkaji, New Delhi, India
| | - Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of Microbiology, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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Paluch E, Sobierajska P, Okińczyc P, Widelski J, Duda-Madej A, Krzyżanowska B, Krzyżek P, Ogórek R, Szperlik J, Chmielowiec J, Gościniak G, Wiglusz RJ. Nanoapatites Doped and Co-Doped with Noble Metal Ions as Modern Antibiofilm Materials for Biomedical Applications against Drug-Resistant Clinical Strains of Enterococcus faecalis VRE and Staphylococcus aureus MRSA. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031533. [PMID: 35163457 PMCID: PMC8836119 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The main aim of our research was to investigate antiadhesive and antibiofilm properties of nanocrystalline apatites doped and co-doped with noble metal ions (Ag+, Au+, and Pd2+) against selected drug-resistant strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. The materials with the structure of apatite (hydroxyapatite, nHAp; hydroxy-chlor-apatites, OH-Cl-Ap) containing 1 mol% and 2 mol% of dopants and co-dopants were successfully obtained by the wet chemistry method. The majority of them contained an additional phase of metallic nanoparticles, in particular, AuNPs and PdNPs, which was confirmed by the XRPD, FTIR, UV–Vis, and SEM–EDS techniques. Extensive microbiological tests of the nanoapatites were carried out determining their MIC, MBC value, and FICI. The antiadhesive and antibiofilm properties of the tested nanoapatites were determined in detail with the use of fluorescence microscopy and computer image analysis. The results showed that almost all tested nanoapatites strongly inhibit adhesion and biofilm production of the tested bacterial strains. Biomaterials have not shown any significant cytotoxic effect on fibroblasts and even increased their survival when co-incubated with bacterial biofilms. Performed analyses confirmed that the nanoapatites doped and co-doped with noble metal ions are safe and excellent antiadhesive and antibiofilm biomaterials with potential use in the future in medical sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Paluch
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-376 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.D.-M.); (B.K.); (P.K.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: (E.P.); (R.J.W.)
| | - Paulina Sobierajska
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Okolna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Piotr Okińczyc
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicines, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Jarosław Widelski
- Department of Pharmacognosy with the Medicinal Plant Garden, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Anna Duda-Madej
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-376 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.D.-M.); (B.K.); (P.K.); (G.G.)
| | - Barbara Krzyżanowska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-376 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.D.-M.); (B.K.); (P.K.); (G.G.)
| | - Paweł Krzyżek
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-376 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.D.-M.); (B.K.); (P.K.); (G.G.)
| | - Rafał Ogórek
- Department of Mycology and Genetics, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Jakub Szperlik
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Botanical Garden, University of Wroclaw, Sienkiewicza 23, 50-525 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Jacek Chmielowiec
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Okolna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Grażyna Gościniak
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-376 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.D.-M.); (B.K.); (P.K.); (G.G.)
| | - Rafal J. Wiglusz
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Okolna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.S.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: (E.P.); (R.J.W.)
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