A5022370191- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Diatoms and Algae Research
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Coccidia and coccidiosis research
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Helminth infection and control
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Porphyrin Metabolism and Disorders
- Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
Czech Academy of Sciences, Biology Centre
2016-2025
University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
2016-2025
Institute of Parasitology
2016-2025
Czech Academy of Sciences
2010-2024
Sewanee: The University of the South
2011-2021
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
2011-2017
University of British Columbia
2004-2005
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
2004
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
2004
Diatoms are unicellular algae with plastids acquired by secondary endosymbiosis. They responsible for ∼20% of global carbon fixation. We report the 34 million–base pair draft nuclear genome marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and its 129 thousand–base plastid 44 mitochondrial genomes. Sequence optical restriction mapping revealed 24 diploid chromosomes. identified novel genes silicic acid transport formation silica-based cell walls, high-affinity iron uptake, biosynthetic enzymes several...
Diatoms, a type of microscopic marine and freshwater alga, dominate the oceans are responsible for about fifth primary productivity on Earth. The complete genome sequence Phaeodactylum tricornutum is reported in this issue, second diatom to be sequenced. Comparisons with Thalassiosira pseudonana, first, reveal that hundreds genes have been acquired by gene transfer from bacteria — or vice versa. Gene appears common during evolution, creating unorthodox combinations including some plants...
The discovery of a nonphotosynthetic plastid in malaria and other apicomplexan parasites has sparked contentious debate about its evolutionary origin. Molecular data have led to conflicting conclusions supporting either green algal origin or red origin, perhaps common with the related dinoflagellates. This distinction is critical our understanding evolution history endosymbiosis photosynthesis; however, two plastids are nearly impossible compare due their nonoverlapping information content....
Leishmaniasis is a geographically widespread severe disease, with an increasing incidence of two million cases per year and 350 people from 88 countries at risk. The causative agents are species Leishmania, protozoan flagellate. Visceral leishmaniasis, the most form lethal if untreated, caused by Leishmania donovani complex. These morphologically indistinguishable but have been identified molecular methods, predominantly multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. We conducted multifactorial genetic...
Cryptophyte and chlorarachniophyte algae are transitional forms in the widespread secondary endosymbiotic acquisition of photosynthesis by engulfment eukaryotic algae. Unlike most plastid-bearing algae, miniaturized versions endosymbiont nuclei (nucleomorphs) persist cryptophytes chlorarachniophytes. To determine why, to address other fundamental questions about eukaryote-eukaryote endosymbiosis, we sequenced nuclear genomes cryptophyte Guillardia theta Bigelowiella natans. Both have >21,000...
The eukaryotic phylum Apicomplexa encompasses thousands of obligate intracellular parasites humans and animals with immense socio-economic health impacts. We sequenced nuclear genomes Chromera velia Vitrella brassicaformis, free-living non-parasitic photosynthetic algae closely related to apicomplexans. Proteins from key metabolic pathways the endomembrane trafficking systems associated a lifestyle have been progressively non-randomly lost during adaptation parasitism. ancestor contained...
How algae turn tides toxic Algal blooms can devastate marine mammal communities through the production of neurotoxins that accumulate within food web. Brunson et al. identified a cluster genes associated with biosynthesis neurotoxin domoic acid in diatom (see Perspective by Pohnert ). In vitro experiments established series enzymes create core structure toxin. Knowledge involved will allow for genetic monitoring algal and aid identifying conditions trigger toxin production. Science , this...
Carotenoids are produced by all photosynthetic organisms, where they play essential roles in light harvesting and photoprotection. The carotenoid biosynthetic pathway of diatoms is largely unstudied, but particular interest because these organisms have a very different evolutionary history with respect to the Plantae thought be derived from an ancient secondary endosymbiosis between heterotrophic autotrophic eukaryotes. Furthermore, additional xanthophyll-based cycle for dissipating excess...
Abstract Diatoms outcompete other phytoplankton for nitrate, yet little is known about the mechanisms underpinning this ability. Genomes and genome-enabled studies have shown that diatoms possess unique features of nitrogen metabolism however, implications nutrient utilization growth are poorly understood. Using a combination transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, fluxomics, flux balance analysis to examine short-term shifts in model pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum , we obtained...
Heme and other tetrapyrroles, often called “the colors of life”, belong to the most important molecules almost all extant organisms. They are synthesized by a common multistep pathway that is highly conserved throughout tree life [1]. One tetrapyrrole products chlorophyll, green pigment plants phototrophs, which captures energy sun. Vitamin B12, complex tetrapyrrole, involved in DNA synthesis metabolism [2]. The major product biosynthesis non-photosynthetic organisms heme, an...
Algae with secondary plastids of a red algal origin, such as ochrophytes (photosynthetic stramenopiles), are diverse and ecologically important, yet their evolutionary history remains controversial. We sequenced plastid genomes two ochrophytes, Ochromonas sp. CCMP1393 (Chrysophyceae) Trachydiscus minutus (Eustigmatophyceae). A shared split the clpC gene well phylogenomic analyses concatenated protein sequences demonstrated that chrysophytes eustigmatophytes form clade, Limnista, exhibiting...
Heme biosynthesis represents one of the most essential metabolic pathways in living organisms, providing precursors for cytochrome prosthetic groups, photosynthetic pigments, and vitamin B12. Using genomic data, we have compared heme pathway diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae to those green algae higher plants, as well heterotrophic eukaryotes (fungi, apicomplexans, animals). Phylogenetic analyses showed mosaic character this eukaryotes. Although algal plant...
Balantidiasis is considered a neglected zoonotic disease with pigs serving as reservoir hosts. However, Balantidium coli has been recorded in many other mammalian species, including primates. Here, we evaluated the genetic diversity of B. non-human primates using two gene markers (SSrDNA and ITS1-5.8SDNA-ITS2). We analyzed 49 isolates ciliates from fecal samples originating 11 species captive wild primates, domestic boar. The phylogenetic trees were computed Bayesian inference Maximum...
Four respiratory complexes and ATP-synthase represent central functional units in mitochondria. In some mitochondria derived anaerobic organelles, a few or all of these have been lost during evolution. We show that the chain Chromera velia, phototrophic relative parasitic apicomplexans, lacks I III, making it uniquely reduced aerobic mitochondrion. Chromera, putative lactate:cytochrome c oxidoreductases are predicted to transfer electrons from lactate cytochrome c, rendering complex III...
SUMMARY Microscopic diagnosis of equine piroplasmoses, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi , is hindered low parasitaemia during the latent phase infections. However, this constraint can be overcome application PCR followed sequencing. Out 288 animals examined, piroplasmid DNA was detected in 78 (27·1%). Multiplex indicated that T. (18·8%) more prevalent than B. (7·3%), while mixed infections were conspicuously absent. Sequences 69 amplicons obtained ‘catch-all’ concordance with...
Abstract Most photosynthetic eukaryotes synthesize both heme and chlorophyll via a common tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway starting from glutamate. This was derived mainly cyanobacterial predecessor of the plastid differs synthesis plastid-lacking eukaryotes. Here, we show that coral-associated alveolate Chromera velia, closest known relative to Apicomplexa, possesses is homologous unusual apicomplexan parasites. We also demonstrate that, unlike other eukaryotic phototrophs, synthesizes...
Iron uptake by diatoms is a biochemical process with global biogeochemical implications. In large regions of the surface ocean are both responsible for majority primary production and frequently experiencing iron limitation growth. The strategies used these phytoplankton to extract from seawater constrain carbon flux into higher trophic levels sequestration sediments. this study we use reverse genetic techniques target putative iron-acquisition genes in model pennate diatom Phaeodactylum...