Laboratory experiments have shown that the fitness of microorganisms can depend on cooperation between cells. Although this insight has revolutionized our understanding microbial life, results from artificial microcosms not been validated in complex natural populations. We investigated sociality essential virulence factors (crystal toxins) pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis using diamondback moth larvae (Plutella xylostella) as hosts. show toxin production is cooperative, and a manipulative...

The Bacillus cereus group contains vertebrate pathogens such as anthracis and the invertebrate pathogen thuringiensis. Microbial biopesticides based on B. thuringiensis (Bt) are widely recognized being among safest least environmentally damaging insecticidal products available. Nevertheless, a recent food poisoning incident prompted European Food Safety Authority review which argued that poses health risk equivalent to cereus, causative agent of diarrhoea. However, critical examination...

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and its insecticidal toxins are widely exploited in microbial biopesticides genetically modified crops. Its population biology is, however, poorly understood. Important issues for the safe, sustainable exploitation of Bt include understanding how selection maintains expression nature, whether entomopathogenic is ecologically distinct from related human pathogens cereus group, use pesticides alters natural bacterial populations. We addressed these questions with a...

The breakdown of antibiotics by β-lactamases may be cooperative, since resistant cells can detoxify their environment and facilitate the growth susceptible neighbours. However, previous studies this phenomenon have used artificial bacterial vectors or engineered bacteria to increase secretion from cells. Here, we investigated whether a broad-spectrum β-lactamase gene carried naturally occurring plasmid (pCT) is cooperative under range conditions. In ordinary batch culture on solid media,...

Plasmids play a key role in microbial ecology and evolution, yet the determinants of plasmid transfer rates are poorly understood. Particularly, interactions between donor hosts potential recipients understudied. Here, we investigate importance genetic similarity naturally co-occurring Escherichia coli isolates transfer. We uncover extensive variability, spanning over five orders magnitude, ability to donate receive two different plasmids, R1 RP4. Overall, is strongly biased towards...

The mode of action the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) remains a matter debate. Recent reports have claimed that aseptic lepidopteran hosts were not susceptible to Bt and inoculation with mid-gut bacteria restores pathogenicity. These claims are controversial because larvae rendered by consuming antibiotics, although effect these antibiotics on was examined. We tested generality hypothesis in diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella using properly controlled experiments...

Classical models of the evolution virulence predict that multiple infections should select for elevated virulence, if increased competitiveness arises from faster growth. However, diverse modes parasite competition (resource-based, antagonism, immunity manipulation) can lead to adaptations with different implications virulence. Using an experimental approach we investigated hypothesis selection in mixed-strain will antagonism trades off against investment Selection mixed led improved...

Many microorganisms cooperate by secreting products that are commonly available to neighboring cells. These "public goods" include autoinduced, quorum-sensing (QS) molecules and the virulence factors activated these signals [1Popat R.R. Crusz S.A.S. Messina M.M. Williams P.P. West Diggle S.P.S. Quorum-sensing cheating in bacterial biofilms.Proc. Biol. Sci. 2012; 279: 4765-4771Crossref PubMed Scopus (132) Google Scholar, 2Diggle S.P. Griffin A.S. Campbell G.S. S.A. Cooperation conflict...

Transgenic crops expressing Bt toxins have substantial benefits for growers in terms of reduced synthetic insecticide inputs, area-wide pest management and yield. This valuable technology depends upon delaying the evolution resistance. The 'high dose/refuge strategy', which a refuge non-Bt plants is planted close proximity to crop, foundation most existing resistance management. Most theoretical analyses high strategy assume random oviposition across refugia crops. In this study we examined...

Understanding the genetic basis of host shifts is a key genomic question for pathogen and parasite biology. The Bacillus cereus group, which encompasses thuringiensis anthracis, contains pathogens that can infect insects, nematodes, vertebrates. Since target range essential virulence factors (Cry toxins) many isolates well known, this group presents powerful system investigating how diversify adapt to phylogenetically distant hosts. Specialization exploit insects occurs at level major clade...

Bacterial plasmids can vary from small selfish genetic elements to large autonomous replicons that constitute a significant proportion of total cellular DNA. By conferring novel function the cell, may facilitate evolution but their mobility be opposed by co-evolutionary relationships with chromosomes or encouraged via infectious sharing genes encoding public goods. Here, we explore these hypotheses through large-scale examination association between and chromosomal DNA in phenotypically...

Background and Objectives Telemedicine can expand healthcare access to populations, but relying on technology risks a digital divide. Therefore, it is important understand who utilizes telemedicine. This study explores telemedicine usage across socio-demographic groups in the United States during COVID-19. Methods Data came from Household Pulse Survey (HPS) between 14 April 2021, 11 2022. HPS rapid online response survey that assesses household experiences We calculated descriptive...

Genes which provide resistance to novel challenges such as pesticides, toxins or pathogens often impose fitness costs on individuals with a resistant phenotype. Studies of Bacillus thuringiensis and its insecticidal Cry indicate that may be variable cryptic. Using two field populations (Karak Serd4) the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella , we tested hypothesis associated B. toxin Cry1Ac would evident when insects were grown under poor environmental conditions, namely limited quality...

Summary Sustainable insect control requires effective management of the evolution resistance to pesticides. Resistance may ultimately depend on a range diverse strategies. We explored how combining use pathogen with an integrated pest (IPM)‐compatible pesticide, Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ), could affect resistance. used fitness and laboratory selection experiments explore whether nucleopolyhedrovirus alter rate toxin. These results were incorporated into simulation modelling investigate...

Abstract Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli commonly resist β-lactam antibiotics using plasmid-encoded β-lactamase enzymes. Bacterial strains that express β-lactamases have been found to detoxify liquid cultures and thus protect genetically susceptible strains, constituting a clear laboratory example of social protection. These results are not necessarily general; on solid media, for instance, the rapid bactericidal action β-lactams largely prevents Here, we tested hypothesis...

ABSTRACT The long-term usefulness of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins, either in sprays or transgenic crops, may be compromised by the evolution resistance target insects. Managing to B. toxins requires extensive knowledge about mechanisms, genetics, and ecology genes. To date, laboratory-selected populations have provided information on diverse genetics mechanisms , highly resistant field being rare. However, selection pressures laboratory are very different produce genes with distinct...

Abstract Plasmids may maintain antibiotic resistance genes in bacterial populations through conjugation, the absence of direct selection pressure. However, costs and benefits conjugation for plasmid fitness are not well understood. Using invasion competition experiments with mutants we explicitly tested how contributes to maintenance a bearing single extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) gene ( bla CTX-M-14 ). Surprisingly, had little impact on overall frequencies, although it imposed...

Abstract Background The African Union’s High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies identified gene drive mosquitoes as a priority technology for malaria elimination. first field trials are expected in 5–10 years Uganda, Mali or Burkina Faso. In preparation, regional and international actors developing risk governance guidelines which will delineate the framework identifying evaluating risks. Scientists bioethicists have called stakeholder involvement these developments, arguing knowledge...