Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Transformation

Bacterial Transformation

In 1928, bacteriologist Frederick Griffith worked on a vaccine for pneumonia, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Griffith studied two pneumonia strains in mice: one pathogenic and one non-pathogenic. Only the pathogenic strain killed host mice.
Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...

The Evidence for Evolution

The Evidence for Evolution

Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

Transformation

Transformation

Microbial communities are dynamic environments where cell lysis releases free DNA into the surroundings. Other cells can take up this extracellular DNA through a process known as transformation.When a cell incorporates this foreign DNA into its genome, resulting in genetic modification, the process is known as transformation. Cells capable of this process are termed competent. Competence can be natural, as observed in certain bacteria and archaea, or artificially induced in the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Genome sequence of protease-free <i>Bacillus</i> subtilis KO7-S strain created for protein production.

Microbiology resource announcements·2026

Same author

Barriers to simultaneous multilocus integration in Bacillus subtilis tumble down: development of a straightforward screening method for the colorimetric detection of one-step multiple gene insertion using the CRISPR-Cas9 system.

Microbial cell factories·2023

Same author

<i>Carnobacterium</i> Species Capable of Growth at Pressures Ranging Over 5 Orders of Magnitude, from the Surface of Mars (10<sup>3</sup> Pa) to Deep Oceans (10<sup>7</sup> Pa) in the Solar System.

Astrobiology·2022

Same author

Environmental Dependence of Competitive Fitness in Rifampin-Resistant <i>rpoB</i> Mutants of Bacillus subtilis.

Applied and environmental microbiology·2022

Same author

Shelf Life and Simulated Gastrointestinal Tract Survival of Selected Commercial Probiotics During a Simulated Round-Trip Journey to Mars.

Frontiers in microbiology·2021

Same author

The Spectrum of Spontaneous Rifampin Resistance Mutations in the Bacillus subtilis <i>rpoB</i> Gene Depends on the Growth Environment.

Applied and environmental microbiology·2021

Same journal

Single-Cell Division Triggers Immediate Efflux Phenotypic Switching to Environmental Toxins in Escherichia coli.

Environmental microbiology·2026

Same journal

Isolation of a Cohort of Giant Viruses From Above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway.

Environmental microbiology·2026

Same journal

Multi-Omics Profiling of the Scaphoideus titanus Yeast-Like Symbiont Guides the Bioinformatic Discovery of Related Fungal Symbioses in Insects.

Environmental microbiology·2026

Same journal

Spatial and Melt-Season Controls on the Downstream Contribution and Persistence of Glacier-Originating Bacteria Along a Glacier-Fed Stream Continuum.

Environmental microbiology·2026

Same journal

A Novel Polyphosphate-Degrading Enzyme Confers Growth on Exogenous Polyphosphate in the Archaeon Haloferax volcanii.

Environmental microbiology·2026

Same journal

Immune-Inflammatory Imbalance in Mice Under High Humidity and Three Different Ambient Temperatures: Insights From Gut Microbiome and Serum Metabolomics.

Environmental microbiology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

Experimental evolution of Bacillus subtilis.

Daniel R Zeigler¹, Wayne L Nicholson²

¹Bacillus Genetic Stock Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.

Environmental Microbiology

|June 21, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Laboratory evolution of Bacillus subtilis reveals how endospore-forming bacteria adapt to diverse environments. This study explores adaptation to altered spore formation and extreme conditions like low pressure and high UV radiation.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Published on: December 14, 2019

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Published on: December 14, 2019

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Evolutionary Biology
Astrobiology

Background:

Endospore-forming bacteria have existed for billions of years.
Their adaptability is key to surviving diverse environments.
Bacillus subtilis is a well-studied model organism.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate bacterial adaptation using laboratory evolution.
Study Bacillus subtilis adaptation to reduced endospore selection.
Examine adaptation to novel environmental stressors.

Main Methods:

Laboratory evolution experiments with Bacillus subtilis.
Whole genome sequencing of evolved strains.
Omics technologies for molecular analysis.

Main Results:

Evolved Bacillus subtilis strains show adaptation to altered selection pressures.
Demonstrated adaptation to low pressure, high UV, and temperature extremes.
Insights into genetic mechanisms of adaptation.

Conclusions:

Laboratory evolution is a powerful tool for studying bacterial adaptation.
Bacillus subtilis serves as an excellent model for evolutionary studies.
Findings contribute to understanding microbial survival on Earth and potentially beyond.