Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2025
09:38
Physical Isolation of Endospores from Environmental Samples by Targeted Lysis of Vegetative Cells
Published on: January 21, 2016
14.4K
Environmental sporobiota: Occurrence, dissemination, and risks.
Min Xu1, Ganesh-Kumar Selvaraj2, Huijie Lu3
1Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
The Science of the Total Environment
|January 26, 2023
Summary
Environmental spore-forming bacteria (sporobiota) are prevalent and pose health risks due to antibiotic resistance and virulence gene transmission. Climate change may exacerbate these dangers, necessitating further research and control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Spore-forming bacteria, or sporobiota, are ubiquitous in various environments, including natural, industrial, and healthcare settings.
- Research has predominantly focused on food processing and clinical sporobiota, overlooking significant populations in natural ecosystems.
- Environmental sporobiota possess traits like persistence and the ability to transfer virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes, presenting potential human health concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on environmental sporobiota, covering their distribution, traits, and ecological roles.
- To analyze the interconnectedness between clinical, food-related, and environmental sporobiota populations.
- To discuss contemporary detection and disinfection methodologies for environmental sporobiota and identify future research priorities.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on environmental sporobiota.
- Construction of an interaction network to visualize relationships between different sporobiota groups.
- Discussion of current and emerging techniques for detecting and eliminating environmental sporobiota.
Main Results:
- Environmental sporobiota are widespread and possess characteristics that can impact human health.
- A complex interaction network exists between sporobiota from clinical, food, and environmental sources.
- Effective methods for detection and disinfection are available but require further development and application.
Conclusions:
- Environmental sporobiota represent a significant, understudied reservoir with implications for public health.
- Factors like global warming and pollution may alter sporobiota behavior and increase associated risks.
- Further research is crucial for understanding and mitigating the health risks posed by environmental sporobiota and the broader sporobiome.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
67
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
67
01:20Endospores and Sporulation
131
Endospores are specialized, dormant cells primarily formed by Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus and Clostridium, enabling survival under extreme environmental conditions. Due to their unique composition and formation process, these structures are highly resistant to physical and chemical insults, such as extreme heat, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, desiccation, and toxic chemicals. Rare instances of endospore-like structures have also been observed in some Gram-negative bacteria,...
131
01:20Infection
8.5K
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
8.5K
01:27Diversity of Protists II
80
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
80
01:17Gene Regulation During Sporulation
53
Sporulation is a complex developmental process that allows certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium species, to survive extreme environmental conditions. This process is tightly regulated by a series of signaling cascades and transcriptional controls, ensuring the formation of a highly resistant endospore.Sporulation is triggered by unfavorable conditions, such as nutrient depletion, and is governed by a phosphorelay system. One of the sensor kinases, such as...
53
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
109
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...
109