E. R. Johnston

Metagenome-based comparisons of decay rates and host-specificity of fecal microbial communities for improved microbial source tracking

This study tracks cow, pig, and human fecal pollution in lake water over time using metagenomics and benchmarks novel protocols against standard culture-based and qPCR tests for water quality monitoring.

Metagenomic characterization of soil microbial communities in the Luquillo experimental forest (Puerto Rico) and implications for nitrogen cycling

This study characterizes soil microbial communities in the Luquillo Experimental Forest using metagenomics, revealing differences in nitrogen cycling genes compared to temperate soils.

Transcriptomic and rRNA:rDNA signatures of environmental vs. enteric Enterococcus faecalis isolates under oligotrophic freshwater conditions

This study compares survival strategies of environmental and enteric E. faecalis isolates under freshwater conditions, finding similar decay rates but distinct rRNA:rDNA ratios and limited evidence of habitat adaptation.

Minnesota peat viromes reveal terrestrial and aquatic niche partitioning for local and global viral populations

The paper analyzes viromes from a boreal peatland to reveal niche partitioning of viruses between terrestrial and aquatic environments, showing distinct viral community patterns.

Constraints on microbial communities, decomposition and methane production in deep peat deposits

This study investigates how temperature, pH, and nutrient availability affect microbial decomposition and methane production in deep peat, finding that temperature is a key limiting factor.

Metagenomic characterization of creek sediment microbial communities from a major agricultural region in Salinas, California

The paper characterizes microbial communities in creek sediments from an agricultural region using metagenomics, finding low public health risk and high antibiotic resistance gene levels.