Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

371
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
371
Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

20.7K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
20.7K
Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

282
Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
282
Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

394
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
394
Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry01:27

Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry

522
Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...
522
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

443
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
443

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Integrating LC-MS and network pharmacology to uncover the mechanism of antidepressant effects of Illigera aromatica ethanol extract in rodent models.

Fitoterapia·2026
Same author

Critical role of high-dose Astragalus in Buyang Huanwu Decoction for enhancing neurovascular coupling in a Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis animal model.

Chinese medicine·2026
Same author

Microplastics in Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms: Facilitators of CO<sub>2</sub> and CH<sub>4</sub> Emission Hotspots.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same author

m6A-dependent translation of circPICALM encodes a novel metastasis-promoting oncoprotein in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Molecular cancer·2026
Same author

Polylactic acid microplastics facilitate nitrogen removal in freshwater sediments by modulating carbon-nitrogen coupling.

Journal of hazardous materials·2026
Same author

Long-term exposure to biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics promotes Microcystis aeruginosa proliferation.

Water research·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
09:49

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation

Published on: October 31, 2019

22.6K

Microplastics benefit bacteria colonization and induce microcystin degradation.

Yixin He1, Guining Wei1, Bingran Tang1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Eco-Environment of Three Gorges Region, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.

Journal of Hazardous Materials
|February 27, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) enhance microcystin (MC-LR) removal through adsorption and biodegradation by attached biofilms. This study reveals MPs act as a double-edged sword, impacting toxic substance behavior in aquatic environments.

Keywords:
BiodegradationBiofilmMicrocystinsMicroplasticsTurbulence

More Related Videos

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis
10:16

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

50.0K
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
05:31

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

16.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
09:49

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation

Published on: October 31, 2019

22.6K
Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis
10:16

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

50.0K
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
05:31

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

16.2K

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Ecotoxicology

Background:

  • Microplastics (MPs) can adsorb toxic substances and host microbial communities.
  • The interplay between adsorbed toxins and MP-associated biofilms is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on microcystin (MC-LR) behavior in aquatic microcosms.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of MC-LR interaction with PS-MPs and their biofilms.

Main Methods:

  • A 37-day microcosm experiment simulating turbulent aquatic conditions.
  • Analysis of MC-LR concentrations, PS-MP adsorption, and biofilm composition.
  • Identification of MC-LR degradation products.

Main Results:

  • PS-MPs significantly reduced aquatic MC-LR concentrations primarily through adsorption.
  • Biofilm formation on PS-MPs enhanced MC-LR bio-adsorption and facilitated biodegradation.
  • Bacteria like Sphingomonadaceae and Methylophilaceae in biofilms contributed to MC-LR degradation, achieving up to 35.8% removal.

Conclusions:

  • MPs act as vectors for toxic substances, exhibiting a dual role in adsorption and biodegradation.
  • The interaction between MPs, biofilms, and toxins is significant in natural waters, influencing ecological risks.