NCIMB News

Four novel species of methylotrophs have been added to the National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria.  They are NCIMB 15078 Methyloceanibacter methanicus; NCIMB 15077 Methyloceanibacter stevinii; NCIMB 15076 Methyloceanibacter superfactus and NCIMB 15075 Methyloceanibacter marginalis. The four type strains were deposited by Bran Vekeman from the Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Gent. They were isolated from North Sea sediment. Marine methylotrophs play a key role in the carbon cycle by metabolizing reduced one-carbon compounds that are found in high concentrations in marine environments. More information about the new species can be found in the paper: Vekeman …

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is a military explosive that is a common soil and groundwater contaminant at facilities that manufacture, handle, and dispose of munitions. The chemical is reported to pose a significant risk to human health and consequently there has been interest in the biodegradation of RDX and the bacteria involved. NCIMB 14238 Shewanella candadensis (HAW-EB2T) is one of a number of different species and strains that have been found to degrade RDX.  This strain was added to the NCIMB reference collection in 2006, after it was isolated from marine sediment …

NCIMB is collaborating with leading probiotics manufacturer Protexin in an Innovate UK funded project which aims to identify strains of bacteria that could reduce the harmful effects of dental biofilms. Dental biofilms, in the form of plaque, are commonly associated with tooth decay and gum disease. Regular brushing is recommended to remove plaque, however it has been found that it reforms quickly after brushing, and many people do not brush thoroughly or frequently enough to avoid problems. This project is investigating strains held within the NCIMB culture collection for their potential to shift the composition of …

NCIMB is pleased to welcome two new members of staff. Michelle Robertson has been appointed Oilfield Services and Environmental Manager, and Dylan Murphy joins NCIMB as a Laboratory Analyst who will be working in our oilfield microbiology group. Michelle’s background is in chemistry and she has spent the last ten years working for Baker Hughes in their drilling fluids and remediation product line. Whilst there, Michelle progressed from Laboratory Scientist to Laboratory Manager of the Eastern Hemisphere Drilling Fluids Lab. Dylan studied Nutraceuticals in Health & Nutrition at Dublin Institute …

Recent additions to the National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria include NCIMB 15079 Bacillus fermenti; NCIMB 15080 Bacillus indicireducens. Both of the strains, which were deposited by Isao Yumoto from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan, were isolated from indigo fermentation liquor.  NCIMB 15079 Bacillus fermenti can reduce indigo. Traditionally, indigo dye is extracted from plants by a natural fermentation process, but during the 20th century, a synthetic indigo manufacturing process grew in popularity, and today a large proportion of commercially used indigo dye is produced synthetically.  However, …

Snodgrassella alvi and Gilliamella apicola were both added to the culture collection on 21st March 2012.   These two species of bacteria were found in the gut of the honey bee and deposited by Waldan Kwong, who was at that time a PhD Student in Prof. Nancy Moran’s lab at Yale University. There is much concern about the decline in bee populations, and studying these bacteria might help scientists to learn more about bee health and ecology. Just like humans, bees have a natural community of bacteria in their intestines. Some …