The molecular characterization of 218 GBS isolates recovered from neonatal invasive infections in Portugal in 2005-2015 revealed the existence of a small number of genetically distinct lineages that were present over a significant time-span. Serotypes III and Ia were dominant in the population, together accounting for >80% of the isolates. Clonal complex 17 included 50% of all isolates, highlighting the importance of the hypervirulent genetic lineage represented by serotype III ST17/rib/PI-1+PI-2b. Serotype Ia was represented mainly by ST23, previously reported as dominant among invasive disease in non-pregnant adults in Portugal, but also by ST24, showing an increased frequency among late-onset disease. Overall erythromycin resistance was 16%, increasing during the study period (p<0.001). Macrolide resistance was overrepresented among CC1 and CC19 isolates (p<0.001 and p=0.008, respectively). While representatives of the hypervirulent CC17 lineage were mostly susceptible to macrolides, we identified for the first time in Europe a recently emerging sublineage characterized by the loss of PI-1 (CC17/PI-2b), simultaneously resistant to macrolides, lincosamides and tetracycline, also exhibiting high-level resistance to streptomycin and kanamycin. The stability and dominance of CC17 among neonatal invasive infections in the past decades indicates that it is extremely well adapted to its niche; however emerging resistance in this genetic background may have significant implications for the prevention and management of GBS disease.

The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, representing a 2 trillion dollars and growing valuation. Fashion design practices have been perpetuating an industrial-focused approach, which relies mostly in the economic improvement through fast cycles of product development.

The design field encompasses aspects of culture, thought, and, ultimately, can appropriate other disciplines like biology and engineering. One of the potentials of biodesign is the replacement of current materials for more sustainable ones. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer that is produced by microorganisms such as Komogataeibacter spp. and has been recently explored for applications in fashion, architecture and material science receiving global media attention. In this impact paper, it is assessed the challenges of producing BC through analysis of its production and chemistry. Through a critical analysis of applied case studies, it is argued that it is yet work to be done to allow a widespread use of BC. In conclusion, the increased understanding of the acetic acid bacteria (AAB) genetic landscape and biochemistry will potentiate the education, research, development, manufacture, and market implementation of more feasible and sustainable cellulose-based products.

Background Freshwater ecosystems play a vital role for humans and more-than-humans, and their study can elucidate their dynamic state throughout time. However, there is not much knowledge about the microbial profiles and their relevance for the ecosystem balance is still unclear. Methods In this Brief Report three freshwater samples collected in the Tagus River north margin were analysed through 16S-targeted nanopore sequencing and by customized bioinformatics pipeline. Results Our results revealed a consensual microbial profile with Candidatus Pelagibacter, Egibacter, and Ralstonia as the most abundant genera. Additionally, through a literature review we found that the ecosystem services provided by these genera are mostly related to organic matter decomposition. Conclusions Despite the need for a more robust sampling and analyses, we conclude that there is potential to use microbial profile approaches to help define the relevant microbial biomarkers to clarify the ecosystem services in the Tagus River freshwater ecosystem.

Fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world representing a 2 trillion dollars and growing valuation (Pal, 2017). This dual context makes its challenges hard to address. From one side, fashion design education and practice systems have been perpetuating an industrial-focused approach which relies mostly in the economic improvement through fast cycles of product development (Pal, 2017). On the other side, fashion industry has also been closed to either multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary initiatives outside the scope of the artistic disciplines. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to solve fashion industrial challenges. One of the most promising fields to tackle fashion current environment and technological problems is microbiology (Mazzoto et al., 2021). During the past 50 years, microbiology has played a vital role in solving human grand challenges in health, agriculture, food, and waste management sectors, and it also represents an opportunity for fashion industry as well. Microbiology biotechnological potential for the fashion industry relies mostly on the improvement of toxic waste bioremediation and the development of novel biomaterials and biomolecules. Moreover, the emergent field of synthetic biology is expanding the tools and approaches available, and they can already be seen in the development of engineered living materials that have functional properties (Mazzoto et al., 2021). Despite the urgent need for change, there is still a long way until a more sustainable fashion industry is achieved. Therefore, microbiological research and innovation need maturation to be able to scale-up and reach a global impact for tackling fashion industrial problems.