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Key research themes
1. How do different substrates and beneficial microorganisms affect seed germination in horticultural species like Punica granatum and Poncirus trifoliata?
This research area evaluates the role of natural fiber substrates derived from insects (e.g., silkworm cocoons) and plants (e.g., cotton wool, gauzes) in promoting seed germination, alongside the effects of microbial inoculants such as Bacillus spp., Azotobacter spp., Saccharomyces boulardii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Understanding these interactions is pivotal for optimizing germination rates and seedling vigor, particularly in economically important fruit crops and rootstocks. It explores how microbial supplementation and substrate composition modulate the physical and biochemical environment to enhance or inhibit seed sprouting and early growth.
Key finding: This study demonstrated that silkworm cocoon fibers significantly supported higher seed germination of Poncirus trifoliata (up to 83.33% without microbial supplementation) compared to plant-based fibers. Supplementation with... Read more
2. What genetic and phylogenetic methods advance identification and classification of fungal and oomycete pathogens relevant to veterinary and human medicine?
This theme encompasses the application of molecular approaches such as multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA), mitochondrial genome sequencing, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and marker gene (e.g., SSU rRNA, cox1) phylogenies to accurately delineate and describe novel microbial taxa. Particularly, it addresses the taxonomic challenges posed by complex, polyphyletic, or morphologically ambiguous organisms, including medically significant fungi and oomycetes. Improved genetic resolution is crucial for distinguishing emerging pathogens, informing diagnostics, guiding treatment strategies, and understanding evolutionary relationships across diverse host-pathogen systems.
Key finding: By employing next-generation sequencing and assembly of the mitochondrial genome, this study identified a novel oomycete pathogen from a feline tail mass that was genetically distinct from known Lagenidium and Pythium... Read more
Key finding: Using multi-locus phylogenetic analyses on five loci (ITS1, LSU, TEF1, RPB2, ACT), the authors resolved polyphyletic elements within the historically defined Madurella grisea group, establishing two novel species within a new... Read more
Key finding: Utilizing PCR-RFLP, this study differentiated multiple Sarcocystis species infecting sheep muscles, revealing prevalence and species composition unknown by microscopic methods alone. Molecular tools allowed detection of mixed... Read more
Key finding: This study proposes standardized taxonomic protocols integrating molecular (ITS rDNA sequencing, phylogenetic analysis) and morphological characterization, along with holotype preservation and pure culture deposition. Using... Read more
3. What are the taxonomic and antimicrobial properties of novel Streptomyces species isolated from underexplored environments?
Research under this theme focuses on the polyphasic taxonomy, genomic characterization, and antimicrobial bioactivity screening of novel Streptomyces isolates sourced from unique habitats such as marine sediments, bats, mangrove forests, and lava tubes. Integration of 16S rRNA and multi-locus sequence data, DNA-DNA hybridization, chemotaxonomic profiling, and genome-wide analysis facilitates delineation of new species. Besides taxonomic insights, bioactivity assays against pathogens assess their potential as sources of novel antimicrobial agents, important for addressing multi-drug resistant infections.
Key finding: Isolation of strain S4702 T from Black Sea deep sediment, combined with a polyphasic taxonomic approach including 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, DNA-DNA hybridization (21% relatedness with closest relative), chemotaxonomic markers,... Read more
Streptomyces corynorhini sp. nov., isolated from Townsend’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii)
Key finding: Using multilocus sequence analysis and whole-genome comparison, strain AC230 T was established as a novel Streptomyces species distinct from close relatives based on MLSA distances (>0.007 threshold) and DNA-DNA relatedness... Read more
Key finding: Characterized by 100% 16S rRNA similarity but differentiated by DNA-DNA relatedness (27-54%), unique protein profiles (MALDI-TOF/MS), physiological properties (NaCl tolerance), and chemotaxonomy, strain MS 3/20 T from... Read more
Key finding: Strains MZ03-37 T and MZ03-48 from lava tube substrates were identified as a novel Streptomyces species via MLSA of six housekeeping genes, whole-genome ANI, and chemotaxonomic data, distinguishing them from closest relatives... Read more
Key finding: Screening of 249 actinomycete isolates from varied Rift Valley agroecological soils revealed that 69.1% exhibited antimicrobial activity against human pathogens. Twenty-four potent strains were identified, with inhibition... Read more