Research Keyword: biofilm

Effects of defined organic layers on the fluorescence lifetime of plastic materials

Researchers developed a fast, non-destructive method using fluorescence lifetime imaging to identify different types of plastic particles, even when covered with bacteria, fungi, and proteins. This technique could help scientists quickly detect and study microplastics in the environment without needing extensive cleaning procedures. The study found that biological coatings on plastics don’t prevent accurate identification using this fluorescence method. This advancement could make monitoring plastic pollution easier and more efficient in real environmental samples.

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Characterizing the Contaminant-Adhesion of a Dibenzofuran Degrader Rhodococcus sp.

Dibenzofuran is a toxic pollutant that bacteria can degrade, but the process of bacterial adhesion to this contaminant wasn’t well understood. Researchers found that the bacterium Rhodococcus sp. strain p52 produces sticky outer coatings called extracellular polymeric substances when exposed to dibenzofuran. These coatings change the bacteria’s surface properties, making them better able to stick to and degrade the pollutant. The study reveals how bacteria naturally adapt to efficiently clean up toxic contamination.

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Bioactive Peptides and Other Immunomodulators of Mushroom Origin

Mushrooms contain special compounds called peptides and proteins that can boost your immune system and fight harmful bacteria. These mushroom-derived compounds show promise as natural alternatives to antibiotics, which are becoming less effective due to antibiotic resistance. Researchers are studying how these mushroom compounds could help treat difficult infections, wounds that won’t heal, and cancer, though more testing is needed before they can be used widely as medicines.

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Copper biosorption by Serratia plymuthica: crucial role of tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances in planktonic and biofilm systems

Researchers discovered that a bacterium called Serratia plymuthica can effectively remove copper from contaminated water using special protective layers of polymers it produces. These polymer layers, especially the protein components, act like tiny magnets that capture copper ions from solution. The study found that when these bacteria form biofilms on porous surfaces, they become even more effective at removing copper from industrial wastewater, achieving up to 97% removal efficiency even under harsh acidic conditions.

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Baicalein as a potent antifungal agent against Candida albicans: synergy with fluconazole and sustainable production through probiotic-mediated bioconversion

Baicalein, a natural compound from a traditional medicinal plant, is significantly more effective at fighting Candida albicans infections than its parent compound baicalin. When combined with the common antifungal drug fluconazole, baicalein creates a powerful synergistic effect that is especially useful against drug-resistant fungal strains. Scientists discovered that a beneficial probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, can efficiently convert the abundant baicalin into baicalein, providing a sustainable and safe way to produce this potent antifungal compound at scale.

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Benefits of Immobilized Bacteria in Bioremediation of Sites Contaminated with Toxic Organic Compounds

This review explains how immobilizing bacteria on solid carriers like biochar can make them much more effective at cleaning up polluted soil and water. When bacteria are attached to a matrix material, they form protective biofilms that help them survive toxic pollutants better than free-floating bacteria. By combining immobilized bacteria with the right carrier materials, environmental cleanup can be faster, cheaper, and more sustainable than traditional chemical methods.

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Impact of Clove Oil on Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans and Its Effects on Mice with Candida Vaginitis

This research demonstrates that clove oil, a natural and FDA-approved dietary supplement, can effectively combat Candida albicans infections that cause vaginal yeast infections. The study found that clove oil works by preventing the fungus from forming protective biofilms and by reducing inflammation. In mice with vaginal yeast infections, clove oil treatment significantly improved symptoms and reduced fungal levels, suggesting it could serve as a safer alternative to conventional antifungal medications.

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Scanning electron microscopy of hyphal ectobiont bacteria within mycelial extracellular matrices

Researchers studied how bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) attach to mushroom fungi (Lion’s Mane/Hericium erinaceus) in liquid cultures. Using a special drying technique and electron microscopy, they were able to see tiny structures where bacteria stick to the fungal threads. These structures are made of slimy substances produced by the fungus and could potentially allow bacteria to influence the fungus’s electrical and physical properties.

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Molecular characterization of gliotoxin synthesis in a biofilm model of Aspergillus fumigatus

Researchers studied how a dangerous fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus produces a toxin called gliotoxin when it forms biofilms, which are organized communities of fungal cells found in human infections. They compared two clinical strains from infected patients and found they produced gliotoxin at different times and in different amounts, despite forming similar biofilm structures. By analyzing which genes were turned on and off, they discovered that one strain rapidly produced toxin early while the other strain produced it more slowly, suggesting different strategies for survival. Understanding these differences could help develop better treatments for serious lung infections caused by this fungus.

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Lack of correlation between in vitro and within patient measures of P. aeruginosa biofilms in cystic fibrosis

Researchers compared how Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria form biofilms (protective clusters) in lung samples from cystic fibrosis patients versus in laboratory culture dishes. They found that the bacteria behave quite differently in the lab compared to in patients’ lungs, suggesting that laboratory tests may not accurately predict how well antibiotics will work in real patients. This highlights the importance of studying bacteria directly from patient samples to better understand how infections actually develop and progress.

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