Mark O. Martin

Sex-specific asymmetry within the cloacal microbiota of the striped plateau lizard, Sceloporus virgatus

The structure and diversity of microbial communities in wild vertebrate populations remain poorly understood, but are expected to have important consequences for individual survival and reproductive success. For instance, recent work has demonstrated that cloacal microbe assemblages of wild birds are related to the phenotypic quality of the host. To contribute to this field of study, we examined the composition and diversity of the cloacal microbiota of free-ranging striped plateau lizards, Sceloporus virgatus, using 16s rRNA-based culture independent techniques. Our dataset, generated from cloacal swabs of six males and six females, and based on twenty five 16s rRNA clones from each sample, revealed (i) low overall microbial diversity, (ii) a striking sex asymmetry in microbial community composition with males displaying cloacal microbiota more typical of gastrointestinal residents found in other organisms, while females display only gammaproteobacterial phylotypes, (iii) a significant sex difference in microbial community structure, with females having significantly lower microbial diversity and richness than do males, and (iv) that the diversity of the female microbial community is negatively correlated to her ectoparasitic mite load. It is not yet clear if the female-specific paucity of cloacal microbial diversity is due to host function or microbe-microbe interactions, or whether the relationship to female mite load is causal, however these findings are expected to have relevance to the species’ life history and ecology. Although the diversity of microbiota from humans, mice, birds, zebrafish, and invertebrates is widely investigated, this is one of only a few reports in the literature describing the cloacal microbiota of a wild vertebrate, and is perhaps the first report for wild reptiles that utilizes culture-independent techniques.

The Hospital Microbiome Project: Meeting Report for the 2nd Hospital Microbiome Project, Chicago, USA, January 15th, 2013

This report details the outcome of the 2nd Hospital Microbiome Project workshop held on January 15th at the University of Chicago, USA. This workshop was the final planning meeting prior to the start of the Hospital Microbiome Project, an investigation to measure and characterize the development of a microbial community within a newly built hospital at the University of Chicago. The main goals of this workshop were to bring together experts in various disciplines to discuss the potential hurdles facing the implementation of the project, and to allow brainstorming of potential synergistic project opportunities.

Complete genome sequence of the predatory bacterium Ensifer adhaerens Casida A

ABSTRACT We report here the complete genome sequence of the facultative predatory bacterium Ensifer adhaerens strain Casida A. The genome was assembled into three circular contigs, with a main chromosome as well as two large secondary replicons, that totaled 7,267,502 bp with 6,641 predicted open reading frames.

The Endurance of Microbiology: An Interview with Mike Jetten, Mark Martin, Ute Römling, and Victor Torres

UR: There is a certain public awareness about the importance of microbiology. Also, the movement of biohackers already shows that there is an increased interest for microbial and scientific issues in the lay audience. However, often, the detrimental consequences of microbiology, such as the problem of antibiotic resistance, infection outbreaks, and nosocomical infections, are in the foreground. These are indeed huge challenges, which need to be solved and controlled. And there are even other equally broad ecological and economic challenges such as concerted infestations of plantations by microbial pathogens. But what else do we hear about microbiology? There is a need to communicate more intensively the beneficial aspects of microbiology such as the beneficial role of the human, animal, and plant microbiome and the role of microbiology as initiating and driving other research areas. The global impact of microbes, historically, in earths history and, today, on our climate, can be emphasized. Also, we should not hesitate to mention the role of microbiology in daily delicacies, including the diversity of microbes required for the flavor of the cheese that we eat and the wine that we drink.MJ: As humans we are a ‘visual’ species making the microbiology as a science seem more challenging. Luckily we see a steady increase in public awareness and interest in microbiology, not in the least by the many human microbiome studies that reveal important roles in our own development and functioning. Recent good examples are the establishment of Micropia, the first microbiology museum at Artis Zoo Amsterdam, or the Secret World Inside You exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Further, the learned societies of microbiology (the American Society for Microbiology, Microbiology Society, Federation of European Microbiological Societies, and Koninklijke Nederlands Vereniging voor Microbiologie) develop outreach packages for schools and the general public. Also, our recent center of excellence is dedicated to inform the general public (see for example http://anaerobic-microbiology.eu/ontdeklab/) and recently organized an outreach event at the InScience film festival. Further, I accept quite some invitations to lecture for the general public on the importance of microbiology that are very well received.MM: I would like to see much more in the way of ‘Citizen Science’ in microbiology. Many researchers are exploring exactly that, and they need showcasing. I also think that every microbiology course needs a small independent project for students. These small-scale projects really lead to ownership and improved outcomes. Microbiology is not a stack of notecards; its a process and a way of thinking. I try to teach this kind of ‘microbiocentricity’ (or even ‘microbial supremacy’) in the classroom, or when I speak to the public. My goal remains to change the way people think about what I call ‘matters microbial’. I also remind listeners of the lesson that the tattoo on my right arm states: Avete Parvuli Domini. All Hail the Small Masters.VT: We desperately need to find a way to make microbiology ‘cool’ again. While tragedies like the recent Ebola crisis, now the Zika virus, and the seriousness of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the recent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses have put microbes on the map and in the news, we also need to do a better job highlighting and explaining to lay people the broader outcomes of microbiological research –CRISPR/Cas9 and its application in genome editing comes to mind. This is a job not only for scientists, but also for publishers, magazines, and news outlets. Lastly, the recent unpleasant encounters with highly virulent and, in some cases, lethal microbes also highlight something very important – we need to commit sustainable additional resources to battle these pathogens.

Elementary Student Outreach Activity Demonstrating the Use of Phage Therapy Heroes to Combat Bacterial Infections

The public has recently gained an increased appreciation of “good” or “friendly” bacteria, including commensal bacteria that are part of the healthy human microbiome (1) and bacteria present in common probiotic food products such as yogurt (2). Despite this new perception of bacteria, the term “virus” still has a predominantly negative connotation that is almost exclusively associated with disease (3). Consequently, the public frequently asks questions such as “Are there any good viruses?” In fact, there are many viruses that have mutualistic relationships with their hosts (4), but one viral group of particular interest for benefiting human health is the bacteriophages (phages: viruses that infect bacteria), which can specifically kill disease-causing bacterial pathogens. Battles between superheroes and villains easily capture the attention and enthusiasm of young learners, presenting an excellent opportunity to introduce interactions within the microbial world. This activity, which is appropriate for elementary-school children in a classroom or outreach setting, introduces learners to the concept of phage therapy, where certain phages (heroes) are used to destroy bacterial pathogens (villains) in a targeted and specific approach that does not negatively affect commensal bacteria (5). The specificity of phage therapy provides an advantage over antibiotic treatments, which disrupt the healthy microbiome. In addition, phage therapy presents an alternative strategy to treat bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics (6). In this activity, participants will learn about phage infection and host specificity by viewing photos of plaque assays performed in a laboratory with chromogenic bacteria, followed by a hands-on “fishing” activity using the phage heroes’ superpowers of specificity (hooks, Velcro, magnets) to capture particular bacterial villains. Templates are also provided for making custom temporary tattoos as activity rewards and for printing phage comic strips for a coloring activity.