Project description:Fungal community composition in Panchagavya, an organic agriculture input as revealed by Next Generation Sequencing of ITS sequences
Project description:Prolific heterotrophic biofilm growth is a common occurrence in airport receiving streams containing deicer and anti-icer runoff. This study investigated relations of heterotrophic biofilm prevalence and community composition to environmental conditions at stream sites upstream and downstream of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, WI, during two deicing seasons (2009–2010 and 2010–2011). Modern genetic tools (such as microarray) have not previously been applied to biofilm communities in this type of setting. We used microarray results to characterize biofilm community composition as well as the response of the biofilm community to environmental factors (i.e., organic content (using chemical oxygen demand concentration) and temperature).
Project description:In this study, we investigated the effects of organic vegetable juice supplementation on modulating the microbial community, and how its consumption ameliorates blood lipid profiles in diet-induced obese mice. Here, we analyzed the effect of organic vegetable juice on the microbial community and fatty acid synthesis via animal experiments using diet-induced obese mice and continuous colon simulation system. Organic vegetable juice supplement influenced intestinal bacterial composition from phylum to genus level, including decreased Proteobacteria in the ascending colon in the phylum. At the family level, Akkermansia which are associated with obesity, were significantly augmented in the transverse colon and descending colon compared to the control juice group. In addition, treatment with organic vegetable juice affected predicted lipid metabolism function genes related to lipid synthesis. Organic vegetable juice consumption did not have a significant effect on weight loss but helped reduce epididymis fat tissue and adipocytes. Additionally, blood lipid profiles, such as triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and glucose, were improved in the organic vegetable juice-fed group. Expression levels of genes related to lipid synthesis, including SREBP-1, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and Fas, were significantly decreased. Analysis of antioxidant markers, including 8-OHdG and MDA, in the vegetable juice group, indicated that blood lipid profiles were improved by the antioxidant effect. These results suggest that organic vegetable juice supplementation may modulate gut microbial community and reduce the potential role of hyperlipidemia in diet-obese mice.
Project description:Phytoplankton blooms represent hotspots of primary production and lead to the formation of particulate organic matter composed of living and dead algal cells. These particles are characterized by steep chemical gradients, for instance in oxygen concentration, that provide diverse ecological niches for specifically adapted microbes to thrive. Particulate fractions were collected at almost daily intervals between early March and late May in 2018. Amplicon sequencing and Meta-omics was used to asses microbial community composition and functionality at different time points.