Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: A live biohybrid bacterial therapy based on engineered Serratia marcescens

doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-70949-4

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Bright-field and corresponding near-infrared (NIR, 808 nm excitation) images of S. marcescens colonies grown at 42, 37, and 30 °C. Similar results were obtained in 3 independent experiments. b Prodigiosin titer at 42 °C compared to 30 °C and 37 °C in LB plate. Data represent the mean ± SD of n = 3 biologically independent samples. Statistical significance was determined by a two-sided one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test. Exact P values are indicated within the figure. c NIR emission spectrum of Prodigiosin upon 808 nm excitation, revealing broad emission spanning both NIR-I and NIR-II windows. d Time-resolved fluorescence decay curve of Prodigiosin, indicating a long fluorescence lifetime (τ_avg ≈ 1.2 µs). e Photothermal heating of bacterial suspensions (equivalent to 1, 2, and 5 mM prodigiosin) under continuous 808 nm laser irradiation (4.50 W/cm²). The thermal images demonstrate a rapid, concentration-dependent temperature increase. Similar results were obtained in 3 independent experiments. f Photothermal stability of a purified prodigiosin solution during four on/off cycles of 808 nm laser irradiation, showing excellent durability and consistent heating performance. g , h Validation of the thermal killing threshold for S. marcescens . g Representative images of spot-plated bacteria and h Quantitative CFU analysis of S. marcescens at different dilutions (1 × 10 11 , 1 × 10 10 , 1 × 10 9 CFU/mL) before and after a 3-min treatment at 60 °C. Data represent the mean ± SD of n = 4 biologically independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined by a two-sided unpaired Student’s t -test. Exact P values are indicated within the figure. i Agarose gel confirmation of msbB gene knockout. The first lane contains a DNA size marker (DL2000 Plus; bands from top to bottom: 2000, 1500, 1000, 750, 500, 250, and 100 bp). Lane SMM shows the PCR product from the parent strain (SMM), while lane SM confirms the successful gene deletion in the final theranostic strain. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.

Article Snippet: Prodigiosin standard was purchased from MedChemExpress (Monmouth Junction, USA).

Techniques: Fluorescence, Irradiation, Concentration Assay, Purification, Biomarker Discovery, Bacteria, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, Gene Knockout, Marker

Journal: Nature Communications

Article Title: A live biohybrid bacterial therapy based on engineered Serratia marcescens

doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-70949-4

Figure Lengend Snippet: a , b Confocal microscopy images showing the internalization of SM@CMC-KP101 by CT26 ( a ) and B16-F10 ( b ) tumor cells. DAPI staining (blue) indicates cell nuclei, and prodigiosin fluorescence (red) indicates the location of the bacteria. White arrows indicate bacteria within the cells. Scale bars: 50 µm (main panels), 10 µm (enlarged insets). Similar results were obtained in 3 independent experiments. c in vitro cytotoxicity of SM@CMC-KP101. Cell viability of CT26 and B16-F10 cell lines 8 h post-treatment with varying concentrations of SM@CMC-KP101. Data are presented as mean ± SD ( n = 3 per group). d Quantification of bacterial internalization efficiency in B16-F10 cells. Data represent the percentage of internalized bacteria for SMM, SM, SM@CMC, and SM@CMC-KP101. Data represent the mean ± SD of n = 3 independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined by a two-sided one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test. Exact P values are indicated within the figure. e Flow cytometric analysis of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) treated with PBS, ECN ( Escherichia coli Nissle 1917), SM-EV ( Serratia marcescens JC11 Δ msbB cultured under 42 °C, where the high-temperature environment resulted in the silencing of specific gene clusters, serving as a control for the empty vector), SM@CMC-KP101, or PG to assess BMDC activation (CD11c + CD80 + CD86 + ). The bar graph below shows the percentage of CD11c + CD80 + CD86 + cells for each treatment group. Data represent the mean ± SD of n = 3 independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined by a two-sided one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test. Exact P values are indicated within the figure. f – i Relative mRNA levels of TNFα ( f ), iNOS ( g ), CD206 ( h ), and IL-10 ( i ) in BMDCs treated with PBS, ECN, SM-EV, SM@CMC-KP101 or PG, illustrating the immunomodulatory effects of each intervention. Data represent the mean ± SD of n = 3 independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined by a two-sided ordinary one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. Exact P values are indicated within the figure. j Schematic representation of the proposed mechanisms of action of the SM@CMC-KP101 system. Created in BioRender. JI, L. (2026) https://BioRender.com/uma9zrk . All non-BioRender elements in this figure were independently created by the authors. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.

Article Snippet: Prodigiosin standard was purchased from MedChemExpress (Monmouth Junction, USA).

Techniques: Confocal Microscopy, Staining, Fluorescence, Bacteria, In Vitro, Derivative Assay, Cell Culture, Control, Plasmid Preparation, Activation Assay

Journal: Scientifica

Article Title: Antibacterial Effect of Prodigiosin on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

doi: 10.1155/sci5/6668394

Figure Lengend Snippet: Spectrograph of prodigiosin generated by LC/MS. Peak seen in green colour represents the molecular weight (323.10) of prodigiosin.

Article Snippet: Joshy , Nikhitha , Dhanashree , Biranthabail , Antibacterial Effect of Prodigiosin on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli , Scientifica , 2025 , 6668394 , 10 pages, 2025 .

Techniques: Generated, Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectroscopy, Molecular Weight

Journal: Scientifica

Article Title: Antibacterial Effect of Prodigiosin on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

doi: 10.1155/sci5/6668394

Figure Lengend Snippet: Prodigiosin MIC for studied UPEC isolates ( n = 175) as determined by the microbroth dilution method.

Article Snippet: Joshy , Nikhitha , Dhanashree , Biranthabail , Antibacterial Effect of Prodigiosin on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli , Scientifica , 2025 , 6668394 , 10 pages, 2025 .

Techniques:

Journal: Scientifica

Article Title: Antibacterial Effect of Prodigiosin on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

doi: 10.1155/sci5/6668394

Figure Lengend Snippet: Comparison of biofilm production by UPEC isolates using medium with and without prodigiosin by the microtiter plate method.

Article Snippet: Joshy , Nikhitha , Dhanashree , Biranthabail , Antibacterial Effect of Prodigiosin on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli , Scientifica , 2025 , 6668394 , 10 pages, 2025 .

Techniques: Comparison

Journal: Scientifica

Article Title: Antibacterial Effect of Prodigiosin on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

doi: 10.1155/sci5/6668394

Figure Lengend Snippet: Detection of fim H gene by PCR after growing UPEC isolates in medium with and without prodigiosin.

Article Snippet: Joshy , Nikhitha , Dhanashree , Biranthabail , Antibacterial Effect of Prodigiosin on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli , Scientifica , 2025 , 6668394 , 10 pages, 2025 .

Techniques: