U. Gophna

A new archaeal virus that suppresses the transcription of host immunity genes

This paper discovers a new archaeal virus that suppresses host immunity gene transcription, leading to faster growth of its host when the virus is removed.

Using the pan-genomic framework for the discovery of genomic islands in the haloarchaeon Halorubrum ezzemoulense

This study uses pan-genomics to identify 50 genomic islands in Halorubrum ezzemoulense, revealing rare accessory genes and homeocassettes that contribute to adaptability and speciation.

A vast world of viroid-like circular RNAs revealed by mining metatranscriptomes

The paper identifies 11,420 viroid-like circular RNAs across 5,131 metatranscriptomes and 1,344 plant transcriptomes, revealing a five-fold increase in known viroid-like agents and novel ribozyme combinations.

The evolutionary origins of extreme halophilic Archaea

This paper resolves conflicts in the evolutionary placement of Nanohaloarchaea and Methanonatronarchaeia using phylogenetic and phylogenomic data, showing Nanohaloarchaea share a sister relationship with Haloarchaea.

Insights into gene expression changes under conditions that facilitate horizontal gene transfer (mating) of a model Archaeon

The paper identifies genes and pathways associated with mating in Haloferax volcanii through transcriptomic analysis of gene expression during mating conditions.

Microbiome-related aspects of locust density-dependent phase transition

This study investigates how locust microbiome composition changes during phase transition and identifies a bacterial species linked to aggregation behavior.

The maternal foam plug constitutes a reservoir for the desert locust's bacterial symbionts

The paper identifies the maternal foam plug as a medium for vertical transmission of locust gut bacteria, revealing its role in symbiont inheritance and swarm formation.

The Impact of Restriction-Modification Systems on Mating in Haloferax volcanii

This study examines how restriction-modification systems affect genetic exchange in Haloferax volcanii, finding that they reduce but do not block recombination between incompatible strains.

Anode surface bioaugmentation enhances deterministic biofilm assembly in microbial fuel cells

This study shows that bioaugmenting anode surfaces in microbial fuel cells with an electroactive consortium accelerates deterministic biofilm assembly and voltage generation compared to stochastic processes in non-augmented systems.

Prolonged Antibiotic Treatment Generates a Fluoroquinolone Resistant Gut Microbiome and Collateral Multi-Drug Resistance

This study shows that prolonged antibiotic treatment leads to widespread antibiotic resistance and collateral multi-drug resistance in the gut microbiome, with only modest bacterial density reduction.