D. Claessen

A family of lanthipeptides with anti-phage function

The paper identifies a family of over 2000 lanthipeptide biosynthetic gene clusters in Actinobacteria with anti-phage function, demonstrating their conservation and novel compound production.

Bacterial heterozygosity promotes survival under multidrug selection

This study shows that bacterial heterozygosity increases survival under multidrug selection by allowing flexible chromosome ratio adjustments, reducing fitness costs compared to homozygous cells.

CslA and GlxA from Streptomyces lividans form a functional cellulose synthase complex

This paper shows that CslA and GlxA from Streptomyces lividans form a functional cellulose synthase complex capable of synthesizing cellulose in vitro.

Mycobacteria form viable cell wall-deficient cells that are undetectable by conventional diagnostics

This study shows mycobacteria can form viable cell wall-deficient cells undetectable by conventional diagnostics, likely contributing to persistent infections.

Reproducible switching between a walled and cell wall-deficient lifestyle of actinomycetes using gradient agar plates

The paper introduces gradient agar plates to enable reproducible switching between walled and wall-deficient states in actinomycetes by controlling osmolyte concentration.

A flexible and efficient microfluidics platform for the characterization and isolation of novel bacteriophages

This paper presents a microfluidics platform for isolating and analyzing bacteriophages from environmental samples, improving efficiency over conventional methods.

Reversible bacteriophage resistance by shedding the bacterial cell wall

This study shows bacteria can shed their cell wall to resist phage infection, remaining viable under osmoprotective conditions and reverting to a walled state, which may limit phage therapy effectiveness.

DNA uptake by cell wall-deficient bacteria reveals a putative ancient macromolecule uptake mechanism

The paper identifies a DNA uptake mechanism in cell wall-deficient bacteria that resembles eukaryotic endocytosis and may represent an ancient process for macromolecule acquisition.

Role for a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase in cell wall remodelling

The paper identifies two enzymes, CslZ and LpmP, involved in apical glycan deposition in Streptomycetes by remodeling peptidoglycan.

Generating heterokaryotic cells via bacterial cell-cell fusion

This study generates heterokaryotic bacterial cells through controlled cell-cell fusion using synthetic lipopeptides, revealing membrane fluidity and specificity as key factors.

Branching of sporogenic aerial hyphae in sflA and sflB mutants of Streptomyces coelicolor correlates to ectopic localization of DivIVA and FtsZ in time and space

This study shows that SflA and SflB mutants of Streptomyces coelicolor exhibit hyphal branching and ectopic DivIVA/FtsZ localization during sporulation.

Mutational meltdown of microbial altruists in Streptomyces coelicolor colonies

The paper shows altruistic mutant cells in Streptomyces coelicolor experience mutational meltdown due to genomic deletions and increased mutation rates, leading to reduced fitness and sterility.

A novel and conserved cell wall enzyme that can substitute for the Lipid II synthase MurG

The paper identifies a novel enzyme, MurG2, that can substitute for the essential MurG enzyme in Lipid II synthesis across different bacterial genera.

Microbial piggy-back: how Streptomyces spores are transported by motile soil bacteria

The paper shows Streptomyces spores use motile bacteria's flagella to transport themselves to plant roots, facilitated by surface proteins.

Teichoic acids anchor distinct cell wall lamellae in an apically growing bacterium

This study uses cryo-electron tomography to show that teichoic acids anchor distinct cell wall lamellae in the apically growing bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor.

Formation of wall-less cells in Kitasatospora viridifaciens requires cytoskeletal protein FilP in oxygen-limiting conditions

This study shows that FilP, a cytoskeletal protein, is required for S-cell formation in Kitasatospora viridifaciens under oxygen-limiting conditions.

Antibiotic production in Streptomyces is organized by a division of labour through terminal genomic differentiation

The paper shows that Streptomyces coelicolor colonies use division of labour to enhance antibiotic production by generating specialized mutants that trade individual fitness for increased secondary metabolite diversity and yield.

Genome rearrangements and megaplasmid loss in the filamentous bacterium Kitasatospora viridifaciens are associated with protoplast formation and regeneration

The paper shows that protoplast formation in Kitasatospora viridifaciens causes genetic changes including megaplasmid loss and chromosomal lesions linked to insertion sequences.

From individuals to populations: How intraspecific competition shapes thermal reaction norms

This study examines how intraspecific competition and temperature jointly affect growth rate and asymptotic length in ectotherms, showing competition modulates the temperature-size rule.

Stress-induced formation of cell wall-deficient cells in filamentous actinomycetes

This study shows filamentous actinomycetes can naturally form cell wall-deficient S-cells under hyperosmotic stress, which can transition to stable wall-less forms with prolonged exposure.

Dynamics of pellet fragmentation and aggregation in liquid-grown cultures of Streptomyces lividans

This study investigates pellet fragmentation and aggregation in Streptomyces lividans during stationary phase, showing fragmentation as a response to nutrient scarcity and potential escape mechanism.

Micro-encapsulation extends mycelial viability of Streptomyces lividans 66 and increases enzyme production

This study shows that micro-encapsulation of Streptomyces lividans 66 with alginate increases enzyme production and mycelial viability while reducing protein release.

SParticle, an algorithm for the analysis of filamentous microorganisms in submerged cultures

SParticle analyzes filamentous microorganism morphology in submerged cultures using automated image analysis and is available as an ImageJ plugin.