Jaime Mayoral

Bacteriophages LittleDigger and Renkei were isolated from soil in Miami, FL, USA using Mycobacterium smegmatis mc² 155. Their genomes are 70,752 and 70,746 bp long, respectively, both encoding 98 predicted genes. They are assigned to the actinobacteriophage B4 cluster and revealed a siphoviral morphology by transmission electron microscopy.

Bacteriophage TownLake was discovered and isolated from an environmental sample in Pembroke Pines, Florida, using Microbacterium foliorum NRRL B-24224 as the host. TownLake has a 53,817 bp genome containing 52 predicted protein-coding genes and is assigned to subcluster EK1. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a podoviral morphology.

Trackstar was isolated using Microbacterium folioru m NRRL B-24224 in Miami, Florida. Its genome is 17,033 bp with 24 predicted protein-coding genes and 69.0% guanine–cytosine (GC) content. Trackstar has a siphoviral morphology and is assigned to cluster EE based on gene content similarity.

The arachnid order Palpigradi remains poorly studied, particularly with respect to patterns of morphological adaptation to subterranean environments. Subterranean adaptation in palpigrades and comparison with endogean species has been documented scarcely. In this study, Eukoenenia serrana sp. nov . is described as a new species in the E. mirabilis-berlesei group from the cave Sima del Pla de Llomes in eastern Spain. The new species exhibits pronounced troglomorphic features, including large body size and strong elongation of appendicular elements, particularly leg I, while retaining diagnostic characters of the group like the single lateral prosomal organ. We explored the morphological differentiation between endogean and hypogean species in the E. mirabilis-berlesei group, a lineage traditionally regarded as endogean and only marginally associated with caves. An analysis of elongation patterns, with an emphasis on the palp and legs, showed clear differences between species from different habitats using a set of linear measurements and derived ratios related to body and their appendages size. Hypogean species consistently show marked elongation of tibia I, basitarsus IV, and combined tarsus–tibia lengths, whereas changes in overall body characters are more moderate. In contrast, the basitarsus IV/tibia IV ratio remains largely unchanged, indicating proportional elongation of these segments. Highly cave-adapted species in this group retained a single blade in the lateral organ, suggesting that sensory and appendicular traits may evolve independently. The results reveal a mosaic pattern of subterranean adaptation within the E. mirabilis-berlesei group and by extension in palpigrades.

The Microbacterium bacteriophage CookieDog was isolated from a soil sample in Miami, FL. CookieDog has a genome length of 38,761 bp, contains 66 putative genes, and is assigned to actinobacteriophage cluster GA based on shared gene content. Transmission electron microscopy shows a siphovirus morphology.

Bacteriophages JessellCookie and MiamiPanther were isolated from environmental samples collected in Miami and Miami Beach, FL, respectively, using Microbacterium foliorum as host. Both phages have a podoviral morphology and are grouped in the EK1 subcluster based on gene content similarity.

β-Glucosidase B (BglB) hydrolyzes β‑glycosidic bonds in complex carbohydrates, playing an important role in global carbon cycling, and diverse biofuel and biotechnological applications. This study systematically evaluated the functional and structural role of residue F397 by generating and characterizing all 19 possible amino acid substitutions. Hydrophobic and neutral substitutions expressed efficiently and retained catalytic efficiency and substrate affinity comparable to wild-type, whereas charged or polar substitutions reduced BglB expression and structural stability. Kinetic analyses showed minimal effects on K _M , while thermal stability was generally decreased. These results indicate that F397 primarily contributes to local structural stability rather than catalysis.

Bacteriophages Biscayne, Bush and GreenIvy were isolated from soil samples in Miami, FL using Microbacterium foliorum NRRL B-24224 as host. Transmission electron microscopy shows siphoviral morphologies for all three phages. Based on gene content similarity to other actinobacteriophages, they are assigned to the EE, GA and EA5 clusters, respectively.

Replicability is the foundation of research in any scientific discipline. Despite this fact, few studies address experimental variability within and across multiple institutions that operate under the same protocol. While consistency is usually well documented within the same lab, multi-institutional experiments may introduce new variables and, therefore, variability that may lead to inconsistent results. This study seeks to explore intra- and interinstitutional variability among enzyme catalytic efficiency values (KM and Kcat/KM) for the wild type of β-Glucosidase derived from Paenibacillus polymyxa. A standardized protocol for the assay was provided to all institutions that participated in the study. The analysis was conducted using data from 13 laboratories across the United States. The information was collected through the Design2Data CURE database. A total of 132 independent assays of β-Glucosidase were analyzed. Statistical analysis of Kcat/KM , KM, and T50 was conducted using SPSS, and Whisker Plots with a 90% confidence interval were generated for all parameters. Acceptance intervals for the parameters assayed of β-Glucosidase were determined; these could be used in all future experiments in the network as a reference by current and incoming laboratory members that incorporate into the network yearly. Ultimately, we aim to identify possible errors and misunderstandings in the protocol we use in the laboratories of the D2D network to improve assay replicability across institutions. High variability may be a concern when data is interpreted across institutions. This specific assay is used as a control for other, more complex assays in the CURE network and, therefore, the variability found can potentially lead to incorrect interpretation of results. It also highlights the high variability of a simple enzymatic assay when it is replicated in laboratories with different personnel and equipment, regardless of using the same standardized protocol.

Iberochyzeria fornielesi Mayoral et al., 2018 was reported from larvae collected ectoparasitic on Calliptamus barbarus and Oedipoda caerulescens (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Spain. In this study, we collected ectoparasitic larvae of I. fornielesi from Calliptamus sp., unidentified Acrididae (Orthoptera) and off host via pitfall traps. This species is reported for the first time in Türkiye and the second time of the genus in the world. The tarsi of I. fornielesi are illustrated and the tarsal setal formula is corrected. Leptus darvishi Saboori et al., 2018 and Charletonia damavandica Karimi Iravanlou et al., 2002 are reported for the first time from Türkiye. Metric and some meristic data of Turkish specimens of I. fornielesi, Leptus rosellae Haitlinger, 1999, L. darvishi, C. damavandica and Neotrombicula vulgaris Schluger, 1955 are presented. An updated key to gagzoi species subgroup of phalangii species group (Leptus) is presented.