微生物學

Viruses Both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses conceal their membrane-penetrating peptide, usually within a glycoprotein of the virion membrane, inside the coat, or within the virion lumen. Cellular signals expose membrane-penetrating peptides that influence the virus during its entry. Instances of cellular signals regulating virus entry include receptors, enzymes, and substances like proteases, metal ions, and reducing agents. Recently, motor proteins or virus maturation have been seen to regulate virus entry through mechanical processes.

本研究探討了潮間帶環境中細菌與古菌的群落結構及其生態功能，並評估了隨機過程與環境因子對群落演替的影響。我們於金門南門海域的潮間帶進行了五次採樣，我們使用次世代定序(Next Generation Sequencing)進行16S rRNA 基因的定序技術分析了該區域微生物的豐度變化及其功能特性。結果顯示，細菌群落以變形菌門為優勢群，而古菌群落則以亞硝侏儒菌科為主。隨機中性模型的結果顯示古菌的豐度顯著受到隨機擴散的影響，而細菌群落則主要由鹽度、溫度和溶解氧等環境因子所驅動。經由Picrust2 代謝路徑預測的結果顯示，古菌與細菌共享多種基本代謝途徑，顯示出它們在生態上的互補性；同時，各自特有的代謝途徑則體現了它們對環境壓力的不同適應方式。本研究為潮間帶微生物群落的動態變化及生態功能提供了新的發現。

本研究旨在探討如何利用地衣共生藻類與共生真菌天然的互利性來建構長效的微生物電池，此實驗將培養出的地衣共生真菌與藻類利用海藻酸鈉（SA）進行固化，並進一步製成不須添加質子交換膜的晶球地衣電池，並觀察其發電量。經觀察，本研究之地衣電池電壓高峰為0.497 V，且目前已維持運作1038小時，電壓仍有0.3 V。由上述可知，利用海藻酸鈉固化之方式能製作出穩定且高效能的地衣電池；而地衣取自於自然環境，亦不需添加質子交換膜，故對成本低廉且環境友善成本低廉，符合永續發展目標（SDGs）中的目標七：確保所有的人都可取得負擔的起、可靠、永續及現代的能源。期許未來能夠發展為具備實用性且低成本的綠色能源。

脫水技術在酵母菌應用方面則對保存和傳播重要的菌株十分有益。然而，脫水處理的酵母菌常常出現存活率過低的問題，若將生產規模擴大，導致的損失將不堪設想。 本研究探討脫水逆境下碳源調控對酵母菌抵抗脫水能力及存活率的影響。發現酵母菌面臨脫水生存逆境，會透過粒線體分裂與融合維持活性，此機制與DNM1密切相關。脫水前階段提供葡萄糖碳源可使酵母菌抵抗脫水逆境能力最佳，反之乙醇最差。甘油調節細胞內氧化還原平衡和滲透壓有助於細胞存活。脫水後復水階段提供葡萄糖可使酵母菌存活率最高，乙醇最差。脫水前碳源改變對存活率的影響更為顯著，而SNF1機制調控是影響酵母菌代謝養分及存活率的重要因素。 本實驗成果可提供酵母菌在食品工業、製藥、化工及生物燃料等領域的培養和保存技術，提高酵母菌的存活率和利用效率以減少浪費，具廣泛應用前景和經濟效益。

本研究旨在探討如何利用地衣共生藻類與共生真菌天然的互利性來建構長效的微生物電池，此實驗將培養出的地衣共生真菌與藻類利用海藻酸鈉（SA）進行固化，並進一步製成不須添加質子交換膜的晶球地衣電池，並觀察其發電量。經觀察，本研究之地衣電池電壓高峰為0.497 V，且目前已維持運作1038小時，電壓仍有0.3 V。由上述可知，利用海藻酸鈉固化之方式能製作出穩定且高效能的地衣電池；而地衣取自於自然環境，亦不需添加質子交換膜，故對成本低廉且環境友善成本低廉，符合永續發展目標（SDGs）中的目標七：確保所有的人都可取得負擔的起、可靠、永續及現代的能源。期許未來能夠發展為具備實用性且低成本的綠色能源。

克雷伯氏肺炎菌（Klebsiella pneumoniae）近年來於亞洲盛行，其除了傷害健康外，亦對於醫療經濟造成一定程度的影響。隨著時間發展，此細菌也逐漸獲得了抗藥性，使早期使用之抗生素不再有效，因此，尋找治療此疾病的替代療法成為近年來持續被關注的議題。由於其對細菌具高度專一性，噬菌體之莢膜多醣分解酶被認為極具開發抗生素替代療法之潛力。 本研究陸續於污水中分離純化出1212P2、H-P7、H-P8、0505P5、0505P6、05052P5、0505Kp3等噬菌體，並藉由一系列實驗，篩選出可能具有莢膜多醣分解酶的噬菌體。最後將候選噬菌體1212P2、0505Kp3進行全基因定序。 未來，將進行全基因序列分析，若成功比對並找到具有莢膜多醣分解酶潛力之基因，我們將對其加以表現並測試活性。並進一步進行體內試驗檢驗此噬菌體或其莢膜多醣分解酶的效力，探討其是否能作為開發藥物的工具，為對抗克雷伯氏肺炎菌盡一份努力。

本研究探討了潮間帶環境中細菌與古菌的群落結構及其生態功能，並評估了隨機過程與環境因子對群落演替的影響。我們於金門南門海域的潮間帶進行了五次採樣，我們使用次世代定序(Next Generation Sequencing)進行16S rRNA 基因的定序技術分析了該區域微生物的豐度變化及其功能特性。結果顯示，細菌群落以變形菌門為優勢群，而古菌群落則以亞硝侏儒菌科為主。隨機中性模型的結果顯示古菌的豐度顯著受到隨機擴散的影響，而細菌群落則主要由鹽度、溫度和溶解氧等環境因子所驅動。經由Picrust2 代謝路徑預測的結果顯示，古菌與細菌共享多種基本代謝途徑，顯示出它們在生態上的互補性；同時，各自特有的代謝途徑則體現了它們對環境壓力的不同適應方式。本研究為潮間帶微生物群落的動態變化及生態功能提供了新的發現。

脫水技術在酵母菌應用方面則對保存和傳播重要的菌株十分有益。然而，脫水處理的酵母菌常常出現存活率過低的問題，若將生產規模擴大，導致的損失將不堪設想。 本研究探討脫水逆境下碳源調控對酵母菌抵抗脫水能力及存活率的影響。發現酵母菌面臨脫水生存逆境，會透過粒線體分裂與融合維持活性，此機制與DNM1密切相關。脫水前階段提供葡萄糖碳源可使酵母菌抵抗脫水逆境能力最佳，反之乙醇最差。甘油調節細胞內氧化還原平衡和滲透壓有助於細胞存活。脫水後復水階段提供葡萄糖可使酵母菌存活率最高，乙醇最差。脫水前碳源改變對存活率的影響更為顯著，而SNF1機制調控是影響酵母菌代謝養分及存活率的重要因素。 本實驗成果可提供酵母菌在食品工業、製藥、化工及生物燃料等領域的培養和保存技術，提高酵母菌的存活率和利用效率以減少浪費，具廣泛應用前景和經濟效益。

The human gut microbiome is integral to digestion, overall health, and metabolic disorder imbalances. Recent advancements in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) have highlighted the therapeutic promise of restoring healthy gut microbiota in populations with high incidences of diseases. Focusing on fecal DNA samples from healthy Asian individuals, this study examines the potential of novel Akkermansia strains, specifically Akkermansia muciniphila (Z62) and Akkermansia massiliensis (IR119), as next-generation probiotics for mitigating metabolic syndrome. A key aspect of the study is the investigation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are produced and play a crucial role in regulating metabolic processes. SCFAs such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate are essential for energy provision to colon cells and exerting anti-inflammatory effects. The methodology involves selecting two Akkermansia strains, analyzing them through 16S rRNA and WGS, evaluating their growth and survival rates under acidic and bile-salt conditions, alongside their cell adhesion capabilities. The study focuses on the production of key short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and tryptophan derivatives by bacteria in regulating metabolic processes, as well as their anti-inflammatory effects on colon cells. Through in vitro assays, both strains exhibited survival in acidic/bile-rich conditions, though Z62 demonstrated superior adhesion to Caco-2 cells, suggesting a higher colonization potential. Metabolomic analysis revealed both strains produce SCFAs, including propionic and acetic acids, and indole metabolites, such as indole-3-propionic acid and indole-3-acetic acid, which are known to influence lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In adipocyte cell models, IR119 significantly reduced lipid accumulation, while Z62 increased lipid presence. Furthermore, IR119 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, including IL-6 and TNF-α, suggesting potential for inflammation mitigation. The future potential of IR119 as a therapeutic probiotic is extraordinary in addressing complex metabolic and inflammatory diseases, which open new avenues for managing chronic inflammatory conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Future clinical trials could refine IR119’s efficacy, positioning it as a leading probiotic in preventive and therapeutic contexts.

The human gut microbiome is integral to digestion, overall health, and metabolic disorder imbalances. Recent advancements in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) have highlighted the therapeutic promise of restoring healthy gut microbiota in populations with high incidences of diseases. Focusing on fecal DNA samples from healthy Asian individuals, this study examines the potential of novel Akkermansia strains, specifically Akkermansia muciniphila (Z62) and Akkermansia massiliensis (IR119), as next-generation probiotics for mitigating metabolic syndrome. A key aspect of the study is the investigation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are produced and play a crucial role in regulating metabolic processes. SCFAs such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate are essential for energy provision to colon cells and exerting anti-inflammatory effects. The methodology involves selecting two Akkermansia strains, analyzing them through 16S rRNA and WGS, evaluating their growth and survival rates under acidic and bile-salt conditions, alongside their cell adhesion capabilities. The study focuses on the production of key short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and tryptophan derivatives by bacteria in regulating metabolic processes, as well as their anti-inflammatory effects on colon cells. Through in vitro assays, both strains exhibited survival in acidic/bile-rich conditions, though Z62 demonstrated superior adhesion to Caco-2 cells, suggesting a higher colonization potential. Metabolomic analysis revealed both strains produce SCFAs, including propionic and acetic acids, and indole metabolites, such as indole-3-propionic acid and indole-3-acetic acid, which are known to influence lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In adipocyte cell models, IR119 significantly reduced lipid accumulation, while Z62 increased lipid presence. Furthermore, IR119 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, including IL-6 and TNF-α, suggesting potential for inflammation mitigation. The future potential of IR119 as a therapeutic probiotic is extraordinary in addressing complex metabolic and inflammatory diseases, which open new avenues for managing chronic inflammatory conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Future clinical trials could refine IR119’s efficacy, positioning it as a leading probiotic in preventive and therapeutic contexts.