https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2017.00527 SUMMARY: In 2003, scientists discovered that giant viruses infected amoebas. These giant viruses are so big that they were mistaken for bacteria for the longest time. It wasn’t until scientists realized they contained no ribosomal DNA that these organisms were reclassified as viruses. From there, even more giant viruses were discovered. Some of the… Continue reading Amoebae, Giant Viruses, and Virophages
Tag: RNA
Genetic diversity of Entamoeba in cockroaches
Genetic diversity of Entamoeba: Novel ribosomal lineages from cockroaches SUMMARY: Researchers in this study looked at the diversity of Entamoeba in 3 different species of cockroaches (the American roach, the Dubia roach, and the Madagascar hissing roach) by looking at SSU rDNA in the ground up intestines of the cockroaches. They found that the Entamoebas… Continue reading Genetic diversity of Entamoeba in cockroaches
Relationship between the flagellates and the ciliates
Relationship between the flagellates and the ciliates SUMMARY: This is an article comparing the structural and genomic differences between ciliates and flagellates. Dinoflagellates seem to be the ancestors of ciliates based on similarities in various cell structures and rRNA sequencing. Structures compared in this article include: mitochondria, mechanisms of cilia and flagella, nucleus, and how… Continue reading Relationship between the flagellates and the ciliates
Environmental DNA sequencing primers for eutardigrades and bdelloid rotifers
Environmental DNA sequencing primers for eutardigrades and bdelloid rotifers SUMMARY: This article talked about using soil eutardigrades and bdelloid rotifer primers to quickly and easily identify these organisms directly. Due to the fact that there are so many types of microorganisms in soil, many of which are still unidentified and unable to be cultured in… Continue reading Environmental DNA sequencing primers for eutardigrades and bdelloid rotifers
Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression
Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve SUMMARY: This study looked at the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on GABA receptors and the role of the vagus nerve in the gut-brain connection. Results showed that L. rhamnosus decreased cortisone levels in stressed out mice… Continue reading Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression
Role of CRISPR in Pathogenic Bacteria
The Role of CRISPR-Cas Systems in Virulence of Pathogenic Bacteria SUMMARY: The introduction talks about the different types of CRISPR-Cas systems and the first section explains how these CRISPR systems were used in the past (mostly to see the genotypic relationship between bacteria). It wasn’t until 2013 that scientists discovered CRISPR was a type of… Continue reading Role of CRISPR in Pathogenic Bacteria