Michael Hoppert

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen | GAUG · Institute of Microbiology and Genetics

Focusing on visible plaques for phage isolation leaves the question if we miss the diversity of non-plaque forming phages. We addressed this question through direct plaque-based isolation by employing the new hosts Brevundimonas pondensis LVF1 and Serratia marcescens LVF3 dsDNA, ssDNA, dsRNA, and ssRNA host-associated metavirome analysis. Of the 25...

In the present study, microbialites from a stream in the Ammergau Alps (Northern Calcareous Alps) were examined with regard to morphology, mineralogy, and colonizing microorganisms. The carbonate buildups form regular (mainly laminated) stromatolite structures, essentially due to the activity of the cyanobacterium Rivularia. The filaments of the cy...

The Kilianstollen Marsberg (Rhenish Massif, Germany) has been extensively mined for copper ores, dating from early medieval period until 1945. The exposed organic-rich alum shale rocks influenced by the diverse mine drainages at an ambient temperature of 10 ∘C could naturally enrich biogeochemically distinct heavy metal resistant microbiota. This a...

Extensive beds of the deep-sea mussel Bathymodiolus mauritanicus (currently also known as Gigantidas mauritanicus ) linked to active cold seeps related to fissure-like activity on Al Gacel mud volcano, Gulf of Cádiz, were filmed and sampled for the first time during the oceanographic expedition SUBVENT-2 aboard R/V Sarmiento de Gamboa. Al Gacel mud...

Roundup® is the brand name for herbicide solutions containing glyphosate, which specifically inhibits the 5‐enolpyruvyl‐shikimate‐3‐phosphate (EPSP) synthase of the shikimate pathway. The inhibition of the EPSP synthase causes plant death because EPSP is required for biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. Glyphosate also inhibits the growth of archa...

Three strains of methanotrophic bacteria (EbAT, EbBT and Eb1) were isolated from the River Elbe, Germany. These Gram-negative, rod-shaped or coccoid cells contain intracytoplasmic membranes perpendicular to the cell surface. Colonies and liquid cultures appeared bright-pink. The major cellular fatty acids were 12:0 and 14:0, in addition in Eb1 the...

The Kilianstollen Marsberg (Rhenish Massif, Germany) has been extensively mined for copper ores, dating from Early Medieval Period till 1945. The exposed organic-rich alum shale rocks influenced by the diverse mine drainages at an ambient temperature of 10 °C could naturally enrich biogeochemically distinct heavy metal resistant microbiota. This me...

The hydrothermal steam environment of Sasso Pisano (Italy) was selected to investigate the associated microbial community and its metabolic potential. In this context, 16S and 18S rRNA gene partial sequences of thermophilic prokaryotes and eukaryotes inhabiting hot springs and fumaroles as well as mesophilic microbes colonising soil and water were...

Abstract The study of hydrothermal travertines contributes to the understanding of the interaction between physico‐chemical processes and microbial mats in carbonate precipitation. Three active travertine sites were investigated in Central Italy to characterise the types of carbonate precipitates and the associated microbial mats at varying physico...

Aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn) into proteinaceous deposits is a pathological hallmark of a range of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Numerous lines of evidence indicate that the accumulation of toxic oligomeric and prefibrillar αSyn species may underpin the cellular toxicity and spread of pathology between cells. Th...

The 16S rRNA amplicons from biofilms inhabiting rocks near various water bodies of Marsberg Copper Mine (Rhenish Massif, Germany) reveal the diversity of their microbial communities. The abundance of Chloroflexi and Cyanobacteria taxa in the biofilms near leachate streams indicated the selective enrichment of Ktedonobacteria and Oxyphotobacteria me...

We sequenced the metagenome of a biofilm collected near a leachate stream of the Marsberg copper mine (Germany) and reconstructed eight metagenome-assembled genomes. These genomes yield copper resistance through Cu(I) oxidation via multiple copper oxidases and extrusion through copper-exporting P-type ATPases.

(1) Background: Microbial communities in terrestrial, calcifying high-alkaline springs are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the structure and composition of microbial mats in ultrabasic (pH 10–12) serpentinite springs of the Voltri Massif (Italy). (2) Methods: Along with analysis of chemical and mineralogical parameters, environme...

Many filamentous vibriophages encode virulence genes that lead to the emergence of pathogenic bacteria. Most genomes of filamentous vibriophages characterized up until today were isolated from human pathogens. Despite genome-based predictions that environmental Vibrios also contain filamentous phages that contribute to bacterial virulence, empirica...

Hydrothermal iron (Fe)-rich sediments were recovered from the Tagoro underwater volcano (Central Atlantic) that was built during the 2011–2012 volcanic event. Cruises in 2012 and 2014 enabled the monitoring and sampling of the early-stage establishment of a hydrothermal system. Degassing vents produced acoustic flares imaged on echo-sounders in Jun...

We sequenced the metagenome of an anoxygenic photosynthetic consortium originating from pond water and reconstructed four metagenome-assembled genomes. These genomes include Desulfocapsa, Paludibacter, Lamprocystis, and Rhodocyclaceae representatives and indicate the presence of genes for dissimilatory sulfate reduction and oxidation of reduced sul...

The in vivo identification of Hülle cells in cases of aspergillosis infections in animals and humans illustrates their biological relevance and suggests that they might be involved in pathogenicity. It is striking that aspergilli have developed and maintained a multinucleate nurse cell that is presumably energy-intensive to produce and is usually f...

Siboglinids were sampled from four mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cádiz (El Cid MV, Bonjardim MV, Al Gacel MV, and Anastasya MV). These invertebrates are characteristic to cold seeps and are known to host chemosynthetic endosymbionts in a dedicated trophosome organ. However, little is known about their tube as a potential niche for other microorganis...

Exceptionally well-preserved fossils are frequently encased by carbonate concretions. The initial steps of their formation in marine and freshwater sediments are induced by microbial activity. The role of the involved microbial communities, however, is not well understood. In this study, siderite (FeCO3) formation in microbial microcosms is observe...

Bacillus velezensis FZB42 is a Gram-positive, endospore-forming rhizobacterium that is associated with plant roots and promotes plant growth. It was used as host to isolate phage vB_BveM-Goe7 (Goe7). Goe7 exhibits a Myoviridae morphology with a contractile tail and an icosahedral head. Its genome is 158,674 bp in size and contains 5137-bp-long term...

vB_BmeM-Goe8 is a phage preying on Bacillus megaterium. Its genome has a GC content of 38.9%, is 161,583 bp in size, and has defined ends consisting of 7436-bp-long terminal repeats. It harbours 11 genes encoding tRNAs and 246 coding DNA sequences, 66 of which were annotated. The particle reveals Myoviridae morphology, and the formation of a double...

Organic-rich laminated shales and limestones from the Monte San Giorgio (Lugano Prealps, Switzerland) are known as famous fossil lagerstätten for excellently preserved fossils from the Middle Triassic Period. The various bituminous shales from Monte San Giorgio are thermally immature and rich in diverse organic compounds, which provide unique subst...

Filamentous vibriophages represent a massive repertoire of virulence factors which can be transferred across species boundaries, leading to the emergence of deadly pathogens. All filamentous vibriophages that were characterized until today were isolated from human pathogens. Considering frequent horizontal gene transfer among vibrios, we predict th...

Siboglinid worms were sampled from four mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cádiz (El Cid MV, Bonjardim MV, Al Gacel MV and Anastasya MV). These invertebrates are characteristic to cold seeps and are known to host chemosynthetic endosymbionts in a dedicated trophosome organ. However, little is known about their tube as a potential niche for other chemosyn...

Siboglinid worms were sampled from four mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cádiz (El Cid MV, Bonjardim MV, Al Gacel MV and Anastasya MV). These invertebrates are characteristic to cold seeps and are known to host chemosynthetic endosymbionts in a dedicated trophosome organ. However, little is known about their tube as a potential niche for other chemosyn...

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is non-pathogenic for humans and serves as a biological control agent in agriculture. Understanding its phages will help to prevent industrial production loss of Bt products and will lead to a better understanding of phages in general. The complete genome of the new B. thuringiensis phage isolate vB_BthM-Goe5 (Goe5) was...

Azooxanthellate cold-water corals (CWCs) have a global distribution and have commonly been found in areas of active fluid seepage. The relationship between the CWCs and these fluids, however, is not well understood. This study aims to unravel the relationship between CWC development and hydrocarbon-rich seepage in Pompeia Province (Gulf of Cádiz, A...

An elliptical to cucumber-shaped methanotroph with large cells was isolated from a rice rhizosphere in Western India. Strain Sn10-6 is one of the first methanotrophs to be isolated from Indian rice fields. Cells of Sn10-6 are Gram-negative, motile, large in size (3-6 µm × 1.5-2 µm) and contain intracellular cytoplasmic membrane stacks. Colonies of...

We present the recently isolated virus vB_BthP-Goe4 infecting Bacillus thuringiensis HD1. Morphological investigation via transmission electron microscopy revealed key characteristics of the genus Phi29virus, but with an elongated head resulting in larger virion particles of approximately 50 nm width and 120 nm height. Genome sequencing and analysi...

Physical, chemical and biogenic weathering considerably threatens all historic stone monuments. Microorganisms, though inconspicuous, are key players of stone surface colonization and penetration. This study highlights eukaryotic microbial communities on dimension stone surfaces from two representative monuments of the “cultural landscape corridor”...

Azooxanthellate cold-water corals (CWCs) are globally widespread and have commonly been found in areas of active fluid seepage. The relationship between the CWCs and these fluids, however, is not well understood. This study aims at unravelling the relationship between CWC development and hydrocarbon-rich seepage in the Pompeia Province (Gulf of Cád...

The current discussion about recent discoveries of possible Late Glacial or early Holocene rock art in Germany requires a transparent process of evaluation of its authenticity. The opinion of experts is significant, but should not be the only criterion in the evaluation process. In the present paper we propose a protocol for evaluating authenticity...

An elliptical to cucumber-shaped methanotroph with large cells was isolated from a rice rhizosphere in Western India. Strain Sn10-6 is one of the first methanotrophs to be isolated from Indian rice fields. Cells of Sn10-6 are Gram-negative, motile, large in size (3-6 µm x 1.5-2 µm) and contain intracellular cytoplasmic membrane stacks. Colonies of...

Microbial activity has the potential to alter all cultural heritage in mining and metallurgy, due to metal mobilization by leaching. This communication shows the consequences of the bioleaching ability of two natural enrichments on copper slag samples from a historic ore smelting site in Sangerhausen (Mansfeld, Südharz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany). Enr...

Phages are currently under discussion as a solution for the antibiotic crisis, as they may cure diseases caused by multi-drug-resistant pathogens. However, knowledge of phage biology and genetics is limited, which impedes risk assessment of therapeutic applications. In order to enable advances in phage genetic research, the aim of this work was to...

Two carbonate- and phosphate-rich concretions from Early Jurassic strata at Buttenheim (Bavaria, Germany) and their immediate claystone host rocks were analysed to study the mechanisms of biomarker preservation in concretions. Superimposed on a common sedimentary background signal, distinctive biomarkers reflect microbial processes involved in conc...

The new virus vB_BveP-Goe6 was isolated on the host organism Bacillus velezensis FZB42. The virus morphology indicated its association with the genus Phi29virus . The genome of vB_BveP-Goe6 (19,105 bp) comprises a linear chromosome with a GC content of 39.99%. The genome harbors 26 putative protein-coding genes and a noncoding packaging RNA.

Cultural landscapes are the result of long-term human–environment interaction, but they are nevertheless worldwide vulnerable to processes of global change such as land-use change, urbanization, neglect and abandonment. The cultural landscape mosaic along the rivers Saale and Unstrut (Germany, Central Uplands) provides many features of (pre-)histor...

The Spounavirinae viruses are ubiquitous in nature and have an obligatory virulent lifestyle. They infect Firmicutes, a bacterial phylum containing an array of environmental non-pathogenic and pathogenic organisms. To expand the knowledge of this viral subfamily, new strains were isolated and investigated in this study. Here we present two new viru...

Carbonate minerals such as dolomite, kutnahorite or rhodochrosite are frequently, but not exclusively generated by microbial processes. In recent anoxic sediments, Mn(II)carbonate minerals (e.g. rhodochrosite, kutnahorite) derive mainly from the reduction of Mn(IV) compounds by anaerobic respiration. The formation of huge manganese-rich (carbonate)...

In Middle European suburban environments green algae often cover open surfaces of artificial hard substrates. Microscopy reveals the Apatococcus/Desmococcus morphotype predominant over smaller coccoid forms. Adverse conditions as limited water availability connected with high PAR and UV irradiance may narrow the algal diversity to a few specialists...

The tenacious association between strains of the heterotrophic alphaproteobacterial genus Acidiphilium and chemolithotrophic iron oxidizing bacteria has long been known. In this context the genome of the heterotroph Acidiphilium sp. JA12-A1, an isolate from an iron oxidizing mixed culture derived from a pilot plant for bioremediation of acid mine d...

Importance: We provide the first direct evidence that M. xanthus synthesizes c-di-GMP and demonstrate that c-di-GMP is important for T4P-dependent motility whereas we did not obtain evidence that c-di-GMP regulates gliding motility. The data presented uncovered a novel mechanism for regulation of T4P-dependent motility in which increased levels of...

The mitochondrial inner membrane is highly folded and displays a complex molecular architecture. Cristae junctions are highly curved tubular openings that separate cristae membrane invaginations from the surrounding boundary membrane. Despite their central role in many vital cellular processes like apoptosis, the details of cristae junction formati...

n recent anoxic sediments manganese(II)carbonate minerals (e.g., rhodochrosite, kutnohorite) derive mainly from the reduction of manganese(IV) compounds by microbial anaerobic respiration. Small particles of rhodochrosite in stromatolite-like features in the Dresser chert Fm (Pilbara supergroup, W- Australia), associated with small flakes of keroge...

Terrestrial mud volcanoes and salses are unique inland sites of methane and saline water seepage, driven by tectonic pressure and methane from deep subsurface oil reservoirs. These structures are mainly found in active nappe tectonic zones, like in the foothills of the Northern Apennines. Fluid samples, taken anaerobically from the Nirano mud volca...

Quantitative waveguide-based X-ray phase contrast imaging has been carried out on the level of single, unstained, unsliced and freeze-dried bacterial cells of Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis using hard X-rays of 7.9 keV photon energy. The cells have been prepared in the metabolically dormant state of an endospore. The quantitative phas...

Prophages are viruses, which have integrated their genomes into the genome of a bacterial host. The status of the prophage genome can vary from fully intact with the potential to form infective particles to a remnant state where only a few phage genes persist. Prophages have impact on the properties of their host and are therefore of great interest...

Molecular methods allow a comprehensive view on uncultured microbial communities in dimension stone. In the presented study, we focus on depth profiles of microbial colonization in sandstones with different porosity and overall durability. The sandstones were exposed to the environment for several years and were covered with a dense brown-greenish...

Modern scanning X-ray microscopy can help to unravel the spatial context between biotic and abiotic compounds of geobiological assemblies with the aim to finally link chemical pathways to biological activities at the nanometre scale. This work presents some multi-modal imaging techniques provided by hard X-ray microscopes at synchrotron radiation s...

The lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus kunkeei has been described as an inhabitant of fructose-rich niches. Here we report on the genome sequence of L. kunkeei EFB6, which has been isolated from a honeybee larva infected with European foulbrood. The draft genome comprises 1,566,851 bp and 1,417 predicted protein-encoding genes.

Symbiont-bearing and non-symbiotic marine bivalves were used as model organisms to establish biosignatures for the detection of distinctive symbioses in ancient bivalves. For this purpose, the isotopic composition of lipids (δ13C) and bulk organic shell matrix (δ13C, δ34S, δ15N) from shells of several thiotrophic, phototrophic, or non-symbiotic biv...

A novel methanotrophic gammaproteobacterium, strain KoM1, was isolated from the profundal sediment of Lake Constance after initial enrichment in opposing gradients of methane and oxygen. Strain KoM1 grows on methane or methanol as its sole source of carbon and energy. It is a Gram-negative methanotroph, often expressing red pigmentation. Cells are...

Ivan E. Wallin (1883–1969) was among the first scientists who noticed the evolutionary impact of symbiotic events. He proposed that endosymbiosis was the principal source for speciation (Wallin 1927). Mitochondria and chloroplasts as symbiotic descendants of bacteria in a eukaryotic cell are the well-known and most important endosymbiotic key play-...

Biological Soil Crusts (BSCs), consisting of prokaryotes, microalgae, lichens, mosses and eventually small vascular plants, cover wide areas in arid and semi-arid environments. In the present study, the microbial diversity of these crusts was explored at extrazonal mountain steppe sites in the western Khentej (Northern Mongolia). At the study site...