A5013674455- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Gut microbiota and health
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Helicobacter pylori-related gastroenterology studies
- Odor and Emission Control Technologies
- Microscopic Colitis
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
German Center for Infection Research
2016-2025
Technische Universität Braunschweig
2019-2025
Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures
2015-2025
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy
2025
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
2024
Montana State University
2000-2023
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
2021
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
2021
Leibniz Association
2015-2017
Robert Koch Institute
2006-2015
We developed and tested a set of oligonucleotide primers for the specific amplification 16S rRNA gene segments from cyanobacteria plastids by PCR. PCR products were recovered all cultures diatoms that checked but not other bacteria archaea. Gene selectively retrieved in unialgal nonaxenic cyanobionts lichens could be directly sequenced. In context growing sequence databases, this procedure allows rapid phylogenetically meaningful identification without pure or molecular cloning. demonstrate...
Sequence heterogeneities in 16S rRNA genes from individual strains of Paenibacillus polymyxa were detected by sequence-dependent separation PCR products temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE). A fragment the genes, comprising variable regions V6 to V8, was used as a target sequence for amplifications. P. (type strain) emerged well-defined pattern bands gel. Six plasmids with different inserts, individually demonstrating migration characteristics single pattern, obtained cloning...
Understanding Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission is essential to guide efficient control strategies. Traditional strain typing lacks sufficient discriminatory power resolve large outbreaks. Here, we tested the potential of using next generation genome sequencing for identification outbreak-related chains.During long-term (1997 2010) prospective population-based molecular epidemiological surveillance comprising a total 2,301 patients, identified outbreak caused by an Mtb Haarlem...
The widespread use of antibiotics in association with high-density clinical care has driven the emergence drug-resistant bacteria that are adapted to thrive hospitalized patients. Of particular concern globally disseminated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones cause outbreaks and epidemics associated health care. most rapidly spreading tenacious health-care-associated clone Europe currently is EMRSA-15, which was first detected UK early 1990s subsequently spread...
The impact of globalization on the emergence and spread pathogens is an important veterinary public health issue. Staphylococcus aureus a notorious human pathogen associated with serious nosocomial community-acquired infections. In addition, S. major cause animal diseases including skeletal infections poultry, which are large economic burden global broiler chicken industry. Here, we provide evidence that majority isolates from chickens descendants single human-to-poultry host jump occurred...
ABSTRACT We compared the community structures of cyanobacteria in four biological desert crusts from Utah's Colorado Plateau developing on different substrata. analyzed natural samples, cultures, and cyanobacterial filaments or colonies retrieved by micromanipulation field samples using microscopy, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, sequencing 16S rRNA genes. While microscopic analyses apparently underestimated biodiversity thin filamentous cyanobacteria, molecular failed to retrieve...
We quantified the diversity of oxygenic phototrophic microorganisms present in eight hypersaline microbial mats on basis three cultivation-independent approaches. Morphological was studied by microscopy. The carotenoids examined extraction from mat samples and high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis. 16S rRNA genes investigated total DNA samples, amplification gene segments cyanobacteria plastids eukaryotic algae phylum-specific PCR, sequence-dependent separation products...
A small number of clonal lineages dominates the global population structure methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resulting in concept that MRSA has emerged on a few occasions after penicillinase-stable beta-lactam antibiotics were introduced to clinical practice, followed by intercontinental spread individual clones. We investigated evolutionary history an clone (ST5) mutation discovery at 108 loci (46 kb) within collection 135 isolates. The SNPs ascertained define radial...
ABSTRACT We determined the value of spa typing in combination with BURP (based upon repeat pattern) grouping analysis as a frontline tool epidemiological Staphylococcus aureus , based on random collection 1,459 clinical isolates sent to German Reference Centre for Staphylococci within 6-month period. The application was found be helpful classification into particular clonal lineages currently prevalent Germany. Due its major advantages because ease interpretation and exchangeability results,...
A simple method that combines an adapted ribosome isolation and a common RNA extraction step has been developed for selective recovery of intact rRNA from natural microbial communities in soil. After mechanical cell lysis, ribosomes are separated by centrifugation steps, avoiding massive humic acid contamination degradation. The protocol accommodates the complex composition soils blocking adsorbing surfaces acids with polyvinylpyrrolidone bovine serum albumin. usual yields accessible...
Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen causing a wide range of infections in the hospital and community setting. In order to have adequate information for treatment S. infections, it crucial understand trends antibiotic-resistance patterns. addition, occurrence changes types aureus, clonal identities, their geographic spread essential establishment infection control programmes. this study, 68 isolates obtained from clinical non-clinical sources Nigeria between January April 2009 were...
Due to the lack of fossil evidence, timescales bacterial evolution are largely unknown. The speed with which genetic change accumulates in populations pathogenic bacteria, however, is a key parameter that crucial for understanding emergence traits such as increased virulence or antibiotic resistance, together forces driving pathogen spread. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) common cause hospital-acquired infections. We have investigated an MRSA strain (ST225) highly...
Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) encoding virulence and resistance genes are widespread in bacterial pathogens, but it has remained unclear how they occasionally jump to new host species. Staphylococcus aureus clones exchange MGEs such as S. pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) with high frequency via helper phages. Here we report that the ST395 lineage is refractory horizontal gene transfer (HGT) typical exchanges SaPIs other species genera including epidermidis Listeria monocytogenes. produces an...
Recently, the diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) population structure has been described in detail. Based on geographical separation and specific host pathogen co-evolution shaping MTBC virulence traits, at least 20 major lineages/genotypes have evolved finally leading to a clear influence strain genetic background transmissibility, clinical presentation/outcome, resistance development. Therefore, high resolution genotyping for characterization strains larger studies is...
Bacterial factors favoring the unprecedented multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) epidemic in former Soviet Union remain unclear. We utilized whole genome sequencing and Bayesian statistics to analyze evolutionary history, temporal emergence of resistance transmission networks MDR Mycobacterium complex isolates from Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan (2001–2006). One clade (termed Central Asian outbreak, CAO) dating back 1974 (95% HPD 1969–1982) subsequently acquired mediating mutations eight...
Abstract Recent studies portend a rising global spread and adaptation of human- or healthcare-associated pathogens. Here, we analyse an international collection the emerging, multidrug-resistant, opportunistic pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia from 22 countries to infer population structure clonality at level. We show that S. complex is divided into 23 monophyletic lineages, most which harbour strains all degrees human virulence. Lineage Sm6 comprises highest rate human-associated...
The naming of prokaryotes is governed by the International Code Nomenclature Prokaryotes (ICNP) and partially for Algae, Fungi Plants (ICN). Such codes must be able to determine names taxa in a universal unambiguous manner, thus serving as common language across different fields activities. This unity undermined when new code nomenclature emerges that overlaps scope with an established, time-tested uses same format but assigns nomenclatural status values names. resulting confusion not...
ABSTRACT We investigated whether individual populations of freshwater bacteria in mixed experimental communities may exhibit specific responses to the presence different bacterivorous protists. In two successive experiments, a two-stage continuous cultivation system was inoculated with nonaxenic batch cultures cryptophyte Cryptomonas sp. Algal exudates provided sole source organic carbon for growth accompanying microflora. The dynamics several 16S rRNA-defined bacterial were followed...