Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are a diverse group of mobile genetic elements
found in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These elements primarily reside in …

Bacterial genomes evolve through mutations, rearrangements or horizontal gene transfer.
Besides the core genes encoding essential metabolic functions, bacterial genomes also …

The social amoebae are exceptional in their ability to alternate between unicellular and
multicellular forms. Here we describe the genome of the best-studied member of this group …

Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene is widely used to survey microbial
communities. Specialized 16S rRNA databases have been developed to support this …

In the rhizosphere, exudates from plants and microorganisms as well as stable soil organic
matter influence processes that can control plant growth, microbial infections, and nutrient …

Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are distinct genetic elements on the chromosomes of a large
number of bacterial pathogens. PAIs encode various virulence factors and are normally …

Bacteria belonging to the genera Sphingomonas and Sphingobium are known for their
ability to catabolize aromatic compounds. In this study, we analyzed the whole genome …

Biofuels from microalgae have promising potential for a sustainable bioeconomy. Algal
strains' oil content and biomass yield are the most influential cost drivers in the fourth …

Lateral gene transfer has played a prominent role in bacterial evolution, but the mechanisms
allowing bacteria to tolerate the acquisition of foreign DNA have been incompletely defined …

Broad-host-range (BHR) IncP-1 plasmids have the ability to transfer between and replicate
in nearly all species of the Alpha-, Beta-and Gammaproteobacteria, but surprisingly few data …