Mira Liu and members of the noteworthy Traxler Lab (PMB Department, UC Berkeley) found that multiple Paraburkholderia spp. isolated from burned soils produce unusual rhamnolipid surfactants. Upon further experimentation, they found that these molecules may serve multiple functions: they can inhibit other post-fire bacteria and fungi, aid in bacterial motility, and potentially solubilize hydrocarbons found in char. Published February 5, 2024 in ISME.
From Liu et al. (2024)