Draft genome sequence of a novel actinobacterium from the family Intrasporangiaceae isolated from Signy Island, Antarctica

Actinobacterium strain S63T isolated from a soil sample collected from Spindrift Col on Signy Island (South Orkney Islands, maritime Antarctic) is a new species of the Intrasporangiaceae family. Here we report a draft genome sequence with an approximate size of 5 Mbp contained in 54 contigs (69.33% GC content). Preliminary analysis revealed the presence of cold active protein coding sequences, which may indicate an adaptation to the harsh polar environment from which the strain was isolated

DGGE fingerprinting of bacteria in soils from eight ecologically different sites around Casey Station, Antarctica

Bacterial community structures in soils collected from eight sites around Casey Station, Antarctica, were investigated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments. Higher bacterial diversity was found in soils from protected or relatively low human-impacted sites in comparison to highly impacted sites. However, the highest diversity was detected in samples from Wilkes Tip, a former waste disposal site that has been undisturbed for the last 50 years. Comparison of community structure based on non-metric multidimensional scaling plots revealed that all sites, except the hydrocarbon-contaminated (oil spill) site, were clustered with a 45 similarity. A total of 23 partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from the excised DGGE bands, with the majority of the sequences closely related to those of the Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides group. No significant correlation was established between environmental variables, including soil pH, electrical conductivity, carbon, nitrogen, water content and heavy metals, with bacterial diversity across the eight study sites

Draft genome sequence of a marine actinobacteria Sciscionella strain SE31

The bacterium strain SE31, a member of the genus Sciscionella, was isolated from intertidal sediments collected from Cape Rachado, Malaysia. The high quality draft genome sequence of Sciscionella strain SE31 with a genome size of approximately 7.4. Mbp is reported. Preliminary analysis revealed 46 putative gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and 113 putative genes that are associated with bacterial virulence, disease and defense. Availability of the genome sequence of Sciscionella SE31 will contribute to a better understanding of the genus Sciscionella

Emended description of the genus Actinokineospora Hasegawa 1988 and transfer of Amycolatopsis fastidiosa Henssen et al. 1987 as Actinokineospora fastidiosa comb. nov.

The species Amycolatopsis fastidiosa (ex Celmer et al. 1977) Henssen et al. 1987 was proposed, based on morphological and chemotaxonomic observations, for a strain originally described as `Pseudonocardia fastidiosa' Celmer et al. 1977 in a US patent. In the course of a phylogenetic study of the taxa with validly published names within the suborder Pseudonocardineae based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, it became apparent that this species was misplaced in the genus Amycolatopsis. After careful evaluation of the phylogeny, morphology, chemotaxonomy and physiology of the type strain, it was concluded that this strain represents a species of the genus Actinokineospora that is unable to produce motile spores. The description of the genus Actinokineospora is therefore emended to accommodate species that do not produce motile spores, and it is proposed that Amycolatopsis fastidiosa be transferred to the genus Actinokineospora as Actinokineospora fastidiosa comb. nov. The type strain is NRRL B-16697(T) =ATCC 31181(T) =DSM 43855(T) =JCM 3276(T) =NBRC 14105(T) =VKM Ac-1419(T)

Effects of freeze-thaw cycles on High Arctic soil bacterial communities

The projected increase in freeze-thaw frequency associated with warmer temperatures in the High Arctic could affect the dynamics of soil bacterial communities. We report here the effects of freeze-thaw (FT) cycles on High Arctic bacterial communities of soil samples collected from three sites with different depths of snow cover. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences showed that bacterial diversity in soil sampled under high snow cover were significantly different from those under low snow cover and those with no snow cover, and showed little change in community diversity after nine consecutive FT cycles. Conversely, bacterial diversity in soil samples under low and with no snow cover decreased after the simulated FT cycles. It is therefore likely that reduced snow cover will influence soil bacterial community structure through an increased frequency of freeze-thaw cycling

Effects of field warming on high arctic soil bacterial community: a metagenomic analysis

Soil microbial communities in the Arctic, one of the most rapidly warming regions on Earth, play an important role in a range of ecological processes. This report describes initial studies of natural soil bacterial diversity at a High Arctic site on Svalbard, as part of a long-term field environmental manipulation study. The impact of increased soil temperature and water availability on soil microbial communities was investigated. The manipulation experiment, using open-top chambers, was installed in late summer 2014, and the soils were sampled soon after snow melt in July 2015. High throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed relatively uniform diversity across the study area and revealed no significant initial effect of treatments on bacterial communities over the first 10-month autumn–winter–spring manipulation period

Prevalence and distribution of nucleotide sequences typical for pMEA-like accessory genetic elements in the genus Amycolatopsis

The prevalence and distribution of pMEA-like elements in the genus Amycolatopsis was studied. For this purpose, a set of 95 recently isolated Amycolatopsis strains and 16 Amycolatopsis type strains were examined for the presence of two unique pMEA-sequences (repAM and traJ), encoding proteins essential for replication and conjugative transfer. Homologues of repAM and traJ were found in 10 and 26 of 111 investigated strains, respectively, a result which shows that pMEA-like sequences, though not very abundant, can be found in several Amycolatopsis strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced RepAM and TraJ protein sequences revealed clustering with the protein sequences of either pMEA300 or pMEA100. Furthermore, two geographically different populations of pMEA-like elements were distinguished, one originating in Europe and the other in Australia and Asia. Linkage between the distribution of repAM and traJ and the chromosomal identifier, the 16S rRNA gene, indicated that these elements coevolved with their hosts, suggesting that they evolved in an integrated form rather than by horizontal gene transfer of the free replicating form

Proceedings of International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022

This conference proceedings contains articles on the various research ideas of the academic & research communities presented at the International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022 (TECH POST 2022) that was held at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 24-25 September 2022. TECH POST 2022 was organized by the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya. The theme of the conference is “Embracing Innovative Engineering Technologies Towards a Sustainable Future”.  TECH POST 2022 conference is intended to foster the dissemination of state-of-the-art research from five main disciplines of Engineering: Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. The objectives of TECH POST 2022 are to bring together innovative researchers from all engineering disciplines to a common forum, promote R&D activities in Engineering, and promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge and research know-how between researchers, engineers, and students. Conference Title: International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022Conference Acronym: TECH POST 2022Conference Date: 24-25 September 2022Conference Location: Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (Hybrid Mode)Conference Organizers: Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia