T. Hackl

Novel isolates expand the physiological diversity of Prochlorococcus and illuminate its macroevolution

The paper isolates and characterizes four new Prochlorococcus strains, revealing physiological and genomic features that expand the understanding of its macroevolutionary history.

Genome sequencing and molecular networking analysis of the wild fungus Anthostomella pinea reveal its ability to produce a diverse range of secondary metabolites

This study sequenced the genome of Anthostomella pinea and analyzed its secondary metabolites, revealing 91 biosynthetic gene clusters and the antibiotic xanthoepocin.

Community coalescence altered the potential of horizontal gene transfers within the native soil microbiome

The paper investigates how microbial community coalescence affects horizontal gene transfer potential in soil microbiomes, finding increased insertion sequence abundance and varied MGE responses over time.

A tale of caution: How endogenous viral elements affect virus discovery in transcriptomic data

This study shows that endogenous viral elements can mimic exogenous viruses in transcriptomic data, leading to false positives and biased virus discovery.

Chitin utilization by marine picocyanobacteria and the evolution of a planktonic lifestyle

This study shows marine picocyanobacteria utilize chitin, linking their planktonic lifestyle evolution to chitin degradation and ecological expansion.

Siderophores as an iron source for Prochlorococcus in deep chlorophyll maximum layers of the oligotrophic ocean

The paper shows that Prochlorococcus in iron-depleted regions uses siderophores for iron uptake, with this trait more common in the North Pacific than the North Atlantic.

Novel integrative elements and genomic plasticity in ocean ecosystems

The paper identifies tycheposons, mobile genetic elements in Prochlorococcus, that drive genomic plasticity through gene exchange and contribute to microbial adaptation in ocean ecosystems.

Virophages and retrotransposons colonize the genomes of a heterotrophic flagellate

The paper identifies integrated virophages in wild Cafeteria burkhardae strains, showing their prevalence, diversity, and potential role in antiviral defense.

Phosphonate production by marine microbes: exploring new sources and potential function

This study identifies phosphonate biosynthesis in marine microbes, showing its prevalence in diverse lineages and potential role in reducing grazing and viral mortality.

Rapid in vitro prototyping of O-methyltransferases for pathway applications in Escherichia coli

This study develops a rapid in vitro workflow to screen O-methyltransferases for substrate and product ranges, enabling efficient biocatalyst prototyping.

Visualization of giant virus particles using BONCAT labeling and STED microscopy

The paper uses BONCAT labeling and STED microscopy to visualize giant virus particles in Cafeteria burkhardae during infection with CroV, demonstrating efficient AHA incorporation into viral proteins.

Host genome integration and giant virus-induced reactivation of the virophage mavirus

The paper shows that the virophage mavirus integrates into the host genome and reactivates to suppress giant virus replication, demonstrating an altruistic host-parasite interaction.