Rachael J. Lappan

Bacterial fermentation dominates over respiration in upland soils during hypoxia

This study shows that bacterial fermentation, not respiration, dominates in upland soils during hypoxia, challenging the assumption that respiration is the primary metabolic strategy.

Integrated cross-sectoral surveillance of antimicrobial resistance genotypes and phenotypes across disparate reservoirs

This study integrates surveillance methods to profile AMR genotypes and phenotypes across diverse environmental and clinical samples, revealing high diversity and mismatches between genotype and phenotype.

Developing a sensitive indoor air surveillance approach for nosocomial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance

This study evaluates a high-volume air sampling approach to detect bioaerosols in indoor environments, showing its sensitivity and association with human activity and AMR transmission risks.

Widespread horizontal transfer and strong selection enhance microbial adaptation in Antarctic soils

This study investigates how horizontal gene transfer and selection drive microbial adaptation in Antarctic soils, finding widespread HGT of aerotrophy-related genes and strong purifying selection.

Resilient Antarctic soil bacteria consume trace gases across wide temperature ranges

This study shows that Antarctic soil bacteria can consume trace gases like H2 and CO across wide temperature ranges, with potential increases in activity under future climate scenarios.

Flavobacteria buffer nitrous oxide emissions from partial denitrifiers in coastal sediments

The paper identifies Flavobacteria in coastal sediments that reduce nitrous oxide emissions by having low substrate affinity, contradicting prior assumptions and suggesting they buffer nitrogen cycling.

Microbial aerotrophy enables continuous primary production in diverse cave ecosystems

This study identifies aerotrophy as a primary energy source in caves, revealing microbial use of atmospheric trace gases for continuous primary production.

A widespread hydrogenase drives fermentative growth of gut bacteria in healthy people

This study identifies the group B [FeFe]-hydrogenase as the primary enzyme driving fermentative H2 production in the human gut, linking it to gut health and disease.

Aerotolerant methanogens use seaweed and seagrass metabolites to drive marine methane emissions

The paper shows that aerotolerant methanogens in oxygenated marine sediments produce methane using seaweed and seagrass metabolites, linking eutrophication to increased methane emissions.

Meta-taxonomic Analysis of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Gut Flora in Stool Samples from Visceral Leishmaniasis Cases and Endemic Controls in Bihar State India

The paper uses meta-taxonomic analysis of gut flora in VL cases and controls to identify microbial associations with disease status and diversity.