Latest Publications

Sinchan Banerjee, Andras Tancsics, Zegin Wu, Tudor Stafioiu, Jiacheng Gao, Erika Toth, Erzsebet Baka, Garry Bending, Hendrik Schaefer

A novel carbon monoxide (CO)-oxidizing bacterial strain designated as SB112^T was enriched and isolated from Ilex aquifolium leaves from Tocil Wood Nature Reserve in Coventry, UK. The strain was Gram reaction-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile with a polar flagellum and non-spore-forming. Growth of strain SB112^T was observed at 10–45 °C, pH 6.0–12.0 and NaCl concentrations of 1–3%. The genomic DNA G+C content was 58.3 mol%, and the major fatty acids (>10%) of strain SB112^T were C18 : 1 ω7c, C18 : 1 ω7c 11-methyl and C19 : 0 cyclo ω7c. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and a phospholipid. Strain SB112ᵀ contains ubiquinone-10 as the major respiratory quinone. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SB112^T formed a separate lineage within the family Phyllobacteriaceae, showing sequence identities of 97.7%, 97.6% and 97.5%, with its closest relatives Aminobacter niigataensis, Aminobacter aminovorans and Mesorhizobium plurifarium, respectively. Phylogenomic analyses using whole-genome sequences consistently placed this strain within the family Phyllobacteriaceae. However, its phylogenetic position did not correspond to any known genus within this family. The genome of strain SB112^T was found to possess the form II coxL gene, which encodes the large subunit of the CO dehydrogenase and potentially enables CO oxidation. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization with members of closely related genera yielded values below the thresholds for prokaryotic species delineation (95–96 and 70%, respectively). Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, genomic and physiological properties, strain SB112^T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus Foliimonas within the family Phyllobacteriaceae for which the name Foliimonas ilicis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type of strain is SB112^T (=LMG 33802^T, =NCAIM B.02691^T

Microbiology Society

Samantha Wilson-Thain, Beatriz Lagunas, Ryan Arthur, Janet Beard, Sophie Martucci

The University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences “Welcome Week+” initiative has taken a novel approach to welcoming students, with their sense of belonging at its core. Through co-creation between staff and students working as partners, we have developed a programme with student voice at its heart and which shifts the transition perspective from “deficit” thinking, to celebrating diversity. Supporting students, in particular students who meet widening participation criteria, the “Welcome Week+” initiative set out to better prepare students through managing expectations and improving the introduction to the School of Life Sciences, while building a sense of their place and value in the school before arrival.

Shifting perspectives of “deficit” thinking, to learning more about what our students bring to us and the power of diversity in boosting belonging for everyone, is central to the success and impact of the welcome experience.

Student Belonging in Action

Yang Yang, Yan Zhao, Wei Zhao, Yingqi Zhang, Hongmei Wang, Murray Grant, Patrick Schäfer, Yuling Meng, Weixing Shan

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are key signaling molecules in plant development and immunity, but current understanding is primarily focused on apoplastic and chloroplastic ROS. Mitochondria are also a key source of intracellular ROS, yet their contribution to plant immunity is poorly characterized. Here, we studied mitochondrial ROS (mROS) function in plant-pathogen interactions, deploying genetically encoded sensors, assorted fluorescent markers, and genetic approaches to track mROS, specifically H2O2, dynamics and identify interorganelle contact sites. We unexpectedly found a mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum (ER) ROS signal cascade functioning independently of apoplastic and chloroplastic ROS in plant immunity. mROS initiate immune responses induced by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora parasitica and promote mitochondria-ER association. These enhanced mitochondria-ER membrane associations are required for transfer of mROS signals and initiation of extensive unfolded protein responses. We conclude that mROS transfer via mitochondria-ER membranes to the ER lumen is an underappreciated yet essential component in plant defense.

Science Advances 2025

Cook Jonathan, Crow Allister

The FtsEX-EnvC-AmiA/B system is a key component of the E. coli cell division machinery that directs breakage of the peptidoglycan layer during separation of daughter cells. Structural and mechanistic studies have shown that ATP binding by FtsEX in the cytoplasm drives periplasmic conformational changes in EnvC, which lead to the binding and activation of peptidoglycan amidases such as AmiA and AmiB. The FtsEX-EnvC amidase system is highly regulated to prevent cell lysis with at least two separate layers of autoinhibition that must be relieved to initiate peptidoglycan hydrolysis during division. Here, we test the FtsEX-EnvC amidase activation mechanism through site-directed mutagenesis. We identify mutations that disrupt the autoinhibition mechanism of FtsEX-EnvC and an N-terminal deletion variant that prevents activation. Finally, we develop a cysteine locking residue pair that stabilizes the complex in its amidase activating conformation. The reported EnvC variants greatly enhance our understanding of the FtsEX-EnvC autoinhibition mechanism and the conformational changes underpinning amidase activation. Our observations are consistent with the proposed mechanism of amidase activation by large-scale conformational changes in FtsEX-EnvC, allowing recruitment and activation of peptidoglycan amidases.

MBIO-ASM Journals

Dykes, Charlotte, Pearson, Jonathan M., Bending, Gary D. and Abolfathi, Soroush

Free-water surface constructed wetlands (CWs) are sustainable, low emission, nature-based solutions for water and wastewater treatment. However, the discharge of nutrient-rich effluents from CWs treating wastewater can adversely impact freshwater ecosystems and exacerbate eutrophication. Despite their ecological benefits, limited research exists on the treatment efficiency and pollutant dynamics of CWs under varying seasonal and environmental pressures. This study investigates the treatment efficiency of an integrated CW (ICW) serving as a nature-based solution for treating partially treated wastewater before release into the environment. Our findings highlight the dynamic and sensitive mechanisms influencing nutrient removal in CWs, driven by seasonal hydraulic conditions, vegetation phenology, and climatic factors. The study provides critical insights for optimizing CW design and management under fluctuating environmental conditions to enhance their resilience, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain long-term treatment efficiency. This understanding is essential for guiding future regulatory policies and ensuring that CWs meet water quality standards in response to climate pressures.

Journal of Water Process Engineering. March 2025

Cara Wharton, Andrew Beacham, Miriam L. Gifford and James Monaghan

There is much interest in how roots can be manipulated to improve crop performance in a changing climate, yet root research is made difficult by the challenges of visualising the root system accurately, particularly when grown in natural environments such as soil. This study reports a novel, low cost, Rootrainer-based system for root phenotyping. This novel Rootrainertron method has many advantages over existing methods of phenotyping seedling roots. Rootrainers are cheap, and readily available from garden centres, unlike rhizotrons which are expensive and only available from specialist suppliers. Rootrainers allow the roots to grow in substrate medium, providing a significant advantage over agar and paper assays.This approach offers an affordable and relevant root phenotyping option and makes root phenotyping more accessible and applicable for researchers.

Plant Methods. March 2025