Bt Research 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 20-29 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/bt 26 7.2 Environmental adaptations The genomic variability of Bt strains also plays a crucial role in their environmental adaptations. Bt strains can acquire genetic material through horizontal gene transfer, which enables them to adapt to diverse ecosystems. For example, the strain MORWBS1.1 from South Africa has distinctive genomic properties that could be exploited for biopesticidal applications (Adeniji et al., 2021). Additionally, the strain YBt-1518, which is highly toxic to nematodes, contains multiple virulence factors and nematicidal crystal protein genes, allowing it to thrive in environments where nematodes are prevalent (Wang et al., 2014). The ability of Bt strains to adapt to specific ecological niches is further supported by the presence of various mobile genetic elements, such as bacteriophages and transposases, which facilitate the acquisition and dissemination of beneficial genes. 7.3 Implications for biopesticide development The genomic variability of Bt strains has significant implications for the development of biopesticides. Understanding the genetic basis of toxin production and environmental adaptation can inform the design of more effective and sustainable biopesticides. For instance, the strain BLB406, with its unique combination of Cry and Vip genes, offers a potential solution to issues such as narrow insecticidal spectra and insect resistance (Zghal et al., 2018). Moreover, the identification of novel Cry proteins in the strain H3 highlights the potential for discovering new toxins that can be used to develop next-generation biopesticides (Fayad et al., 2020). The genomic analysis of Bt strains also provides valuable insights into their safety and potential risks, as demonstrated by the study on the biopesticidal origin of Bt in foods, which revealed a diverse virulence gene profile (Biggel et al., 2022). By leveraging the genomic variability of Bt strains, researchers can develop biopesticides that are not only effective but also environmentally friendly and safe for use in agriculture. 8 Challenges and Future Directions 8.1 Technical challenges in genomic analysis The genomic analysis of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains presents several technical challenges. One significant issue is the difficulty in separating and purifying insecticidal active substances due to their relatively short half-life and the need to study samples at different developmental stages. Additionally, the presence of numerous plasmids and mobile genetic elements, such as bacteriophages and transposons, complicates the genomic landscape, making it challenging to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the genome (Bolotin et al., 2017). The discrepancies between genomic annotations and proteomic data further complicate the analysis, as not all predicted proteins are detectable in proteomic studies (Rang et al., 2015; Quan et al., 2016). This indicates potential gene silencing or low expression levels, which require advanced techniques to elucidate. 8.2 Gaps in current research Despite significant advancements, there are still notable gaps in the current research on Bt. One major gap is the limited understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms and adaptive potential of Bt strains, particularly how they evolve and adapt to various ecological niches and hosts. The role of genomic plasticity and the influence of natural conditions and interaction partners, including hosts and competitors, remain underexplored. Additionally, the irregular distribution of pesticidal genes among Bt strains complicates the taxonomic classification and identification of these bacteria, suggesting a need for more robust genomic or molecular systematic features (Baek et al., 2019). Furthermore, the interaction structures between Bt and other organisms, such as fungi and plants, are not well understood, which limits the potential for developing Bt as a biocontrol agent against a broader spectrum of pests . 8.3 Future trends and research opportunities Future research should focus on several key areas to address the current challenges and gaps. First, integrating advanced genomic and proteomic techniques, such as next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the Bt genome and its expression profiles (Rang et al., 2015; Quan et al., 2016). This approach can help identify novel insecticidal toxins and other virulence factors that
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