Myrtle rust, caused by the obligate pathogen Austropuccinia psidii, is a significant disease of myrtaceous plants. Species in Australia, such as Rhodamnia rubescens, are now critically endangered as a result of this disease. This research aimed to evaluate the culturable fungal communities present on, and within, leaves of symptomatic and asymptomatic R. rubescens plants as inhibitors of myrtle rust disease. We hypothesised that microbes present in asymptomatic leaves may possess biocontrol activity, thereby providing a mechanism of resistance observed in the field.

Brewing yeast strain selection and management are critical in beer production, influencing flavor profiles and overall quality. This study investigates the potential of MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) for characterizing and differentiating brewing yeast strains associated with various beer styles.

We have investigated bacterial colonisation and site-specific distribution across hard and soft oral tissues focusing on both intra- and inter-individual patterns of Streptococcus clonality and overall microbial composition.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) infections are increasingly problematic, leading to worse treatment outcomes and higher healthcare expenditure. This study evaluated laboratory workflows for the detection of ESBL-E in healthcare environments. We aimed to optimise workflows for organism yield, detection accuracy and practical feasibility to support future surveillance and transmission studies, which are needed to inform targeted interventions to interrupt the spread of drug-resistant organisms.

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens has driven interest in bacteriocins as alternative antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to isolate bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria from traditional Moroccan foods, purify their active compounds, and assess their activity against MDR clinical isolates.

Anti-virulence compounds can control pathogens with reduced selection for antimicrobial resistance. There is little understanding of how these compounds impact biofilm structure and development through time. We hypothesized that 4-ethoxybenzoic acid (4EB), an anti-virulence compound, disrupts normal growth for the four phases of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 biofilm development (attachment, multiplication, exodus and maturation).

The halotolerant endophytic bacterial Pseudomonas strain EB3 isolated from the roots of the mangrove plant species Avicennia alba, has been reported to promote plant growth and mitigate the adverse effects of salt stress. However, the genetic mechanisms of the strain that may explain these processes are unknown. This study aimed to determine the whole genome sequence of EB3 and conduct expression analysis of EB3 genes putatively involved in salt tolerance and plant growth promotion.

Screenings for biocontrol organisms against fungal and oomycete pathogens are typically performed on mycelium. While this allows for high-throughput screenings, it omits a major actor in pathogenicity, i.e. the spores. This study aims to improve the screening strategy using a spore-based confrontation assay (SBCA), as well as comparing its performance to the traditional mycelium-based confrontation assay (MBCA) and microscopy analyses of spore germination.

Meat can harbor microbial pathogens, posing hazards for public health. In the European Union, microbiological food safety standards for meat are mainly at the processing level, with limited data and criteria on microbial contamination and pathogen presence at retail. This study addresses this gap by quantifying and comparing microbial loads on various meat types.

This study aims to delineate the characteristic profiles of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in individuals diagnosed with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), potentially elucidating the gut-disc axis as a novel perspective for understanding IDD pathophysiology.

The study aimed to investigate the anti-MRSA and anti-biofilm activity of 3-methoxy-5-hydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) bibenzyl (DELC) isolated from Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp (pigeon pea) leaves, while evaluating its biocompatibility and exploring its potential as an antibiotic alternative.

Glycyrrhiza glabra is a medicinal legume species that is adapted to arid and saline environments, as well as climate stressors such as drought, salinity and extreme heat. This review highlights the latest developments in understanding the microbial communities associated with G. glabra, which enhance stress tolerance through nutrient acquisition, phytohormone modification, the production of antioxidants and osmotic regulation. This review synthesizes research on the distribution, diversity, and functionality of these microbial communities including endophytes, rhizobacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi within the ecological context of degraded and marginal soils, which functionally enhances G. glabra as a model plant for studying plant-microbial interactions in extreme environments. We specifically highlight the microbial regulation of glycyrrhizin biosynthesis, a critical defense-related secondary metabolite with known therapeutic applications. Finally, we present an overview of new and emerging multi-omics tools that elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning these beneficial microbial interactions, and their potential in developing bio-inoculants for climate-resilient agriculture and providing a blueprint for harnessing native microbial partnerships to enhance plant survival, productivity, and soil restoration under climate uncertainty.

In order to understand the emergence, persistence and transmission of Campylobacter jejuni in livestock, this longitudinal study characterised the C. jejuni population in young calves and assessed the impact of exposure to wild birds during the pre-weaning period.

This study investigated the presence of viable Mycobacterium bovis in faecal samples collected from 79 free-ranging domestic cattle in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Metal resistance genes (MRGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) are driven by environmental factors and host immunity, respectively, and they are traditionally considered to evolve independently. However, their co-selection dynamics in landfill leachates remain poorly characterized. In this study, a multi-regional metagenomic assessment integrating environmental gradients was first presented to reveal how heavy metals shape MRG-VFG interactions and associated ecological risks in landfill leachates.

To implement multi-hurdle technology, understanding their impact on microbiota composition is needed. The effects of peracetic acid (PAA) and acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) on Salmonella and Campylobacter inoculated chicken thigh microbiota were evaluated.

The objective of this study was to evaluate 16S rRNA gene sequencing with viability differentiation as a diagnostic tool to assess microbial contamination during ready-to-eat (RTE) meat manufacturing.

This study aimed to design and evaluate novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Computational analyses included interactions with quorum sensing (QS) receptors as potential targets involved in bacterial virulence regulation.

Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidli var. unicolor) possesses both nutritional and medicinal value, however, its bulbs are highly susceptible to postharvest physical damage. Pathogenic bacteria readily infiltrate through these wounds, resulting in extensive decay and consequent economic losses. This study demonstrates that optimized volatile organic compound (VOC) combinations can significantly reduce effective antimicrobial concentrations and broaden the antimicrobial spectrum through synergistic effects, while exhibiting excellent preservation potential.

This study aimed to characterize the bile microbiome and metabolome in patients with common bile duct stones (CBDs), with versus without juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum (JPDD), to identify potential factors associated with stone formation.