All Bacillus subtilis articles
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NewsToxic tail: Biologists find a hidden weak spot in how bacteria build the tails they use to move
New research has uncovered a previously unknown vulnerability in how bacteria build the whip-like tails they use to move. Building these tails can put stress on the protective wall surrounding a bacterial cell, and uncovered systems bacteria use to keep that stress from becoming destructive.
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NewsNo-tillage and microbial fertilizer work together to build carbon in nutrient-poor albic soils
A field study in northeastern China shows that combining reduced soil disturbance with microbial organic fertilizer can increase soil organic carbon across both surface and deeper soil layers.
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NewsEject! Bacteria discovered with the ability to jettison cells as a survival mechanism
Biologists have found that communities of bacteria are capable of ‘escape pod’ ejection strategies. They documented the biofilm ejection phenomenon for the first time while studying a bacterium known as hay bacillus (Bacillus subtilis).
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NewsA subtle difference offers insight into bacteria survival strategies
Researchers have discovered that Bacillus subtilis employs a different survival strategy to E coli, raising the question of whether other types of bacteria use alternative strategies, and how this might help researchers think differently about antibiotic tolerance.
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NewsRings of power – how bacteria use circadian clocks to colonise their world
A new study reveals how bacteria rely on circadian clocks to control the spread of their multi-cellular colonies.
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NewsResearchers produce biodegradable bioplastic from potato starch using a modified bacterium
A new study has produced a biodegradable bioplastic from unprocessed potato starch in a single 24-hour step, establishing that the bacterium Bacillus subtilis is a robust platform of great industrial interest for producing polyhydroxybutyrate from a low-cost agricultural by-product.
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NewsScientists determine how mysterious acids give bacteria their shape
Researchers have discovered how acids on the surface of bacteria give these microscopic organisms their characteristic “rod” shape—by keeping an enzyme at bay that would otherwise turn the cylindrical cells into shape-shifting blobs.
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NewsThe hunt for red: Chromatin-mediated upregulation of Monascus pigments in Talaromyces purpurogenus OUCMDZ-019 via disruption of Ash2
The industrial application of Monascus pigments has been hindered by three key bottlenecks: unstable yield, poor environmental stability, and the risk of contamination by citrinin. Researchers adopted an epigenetic derepression strategy to unlock the hidden biosynthetic potential of MPs in Talaromyces purpurogenus OUCMDZ-019.
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News‘Living plastic’ activates and self-destructs on command
Living plastics that self-destruct on command incorporate activatable, plastic-degrading microbes alongside the polymers. The latest study used two bacterial strains that worked together and completely broke down the material within just six days, without making microplastics.
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NewsCopper-loaded starch nanoparticles can target bacteria in microbial communities
Researchers have developed copper-loaded starch nanoparticles that can be broken down by specific bacteria to release antibacterial copper molecules. They hope that these nanoparticles can be used to target biofilms, which account for 50-70% of healthcare-associated infections.
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NewsEarly pregnancy probiotics may help prevent spontaneous preterm delivery
A new study suggests that probiotics supplementation during early pregnancy may help reduce the risk of recurrent spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD). Pregnant women who consumed probiotics containing Clostridium butyricum showed lower recurrence rates of sPTD compared with national averages.
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NewsDiisobutyl phthalate at environmental concentration promotes conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes
Researchers investigating the ecological safety risks posed by dibutyl phthalate (DBP), in aquatic environments found it significantly increased conjugative transfer frequency in both intragenus (E. coli DH5α to E. coli HB101) and intergenus (E. coli DH5α to B. subtilis WB100N) systems.
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NewsBeneficial bacterium deployed to protect turfgrass from fungal foes
A novel strain of Bacillus subtilis helps a variety of plants resist soil‑borne diseases, retain moisture and develop stronger root‑to‑shoot growth. New findings on the effect of UD1022 on dollar spot disease suggests intriguing implications for manufacturing of biological treatments for the fungal disease.
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NewsStiff gels slow germs: New study maps hydrogel properties that control bacterial growth
Scientists has found that firmer, lower water content hydrogels limit bacterial growth, with implications for designing antibacterial coatings, infection models, and advanced medical materials.
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NewsNew AI model improves accuracy of food contamination detection
Researchers have significantly enhanced an artificial intelligence tool used to rapidly detect bacterial contamination in food by eliminating misclassifications of food debris that looks like bacteria. Current methods often require specialized expertise and are time consuming — taking several days to a week.
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NewsEarly warning for wine spoilage glows in the dark
Researchers have built a living biosensor made of bacteria that lights up when it detects acetic acid, the main chemical signal that wine is starting to spoil. It works in real time, even in high-alcohol conditions, so wineries can catch problems early, before flavor and quality are damaged.
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NewsEngineered yeast delivers record levels of animal-free chondroitin sulfate
A new study establishes a robust yeast-based platform that overcomes the long-standing trade-off between yield and sulfation, enabling sustainable, high-level production of high-quality chondroitin sulfate without reliance on animal sources.
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NewsBacterial spores offer promise of sustainable smart materials
By embedding Bacillus spores within engineered living materials, researchers have created living materials that not only endure harsh environments but can also be programmed to perform specific tasks. These materials may be a sustainable replacement for fossil-based materials.
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NewsNew research demonstrates ’living metal’ could bridge the gap between biological and electronic systems
Researchers are pioneering ‘living metal’ composites embedded with bacterial endospores, paving the way for dynamic communication and integration between electronic and biological systems.
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NewsReview probes mechanical and durability properties of microorganism based self-healing concrete
Microorganism-based self-healing concrete, which uses bacteria to induce calcite precipitation for crack sealing, has emerged as a promising solution, but existing studies lack systematic reviews of its mechanical properties and durability performance.