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Bacillus subtilisstrains including the fermented soybean (natto) starter produce capsular polymers consisting of poly-γ-glutamate and levan. Capsular polymers may protect the cells from phage infection. However, bacteriophage ϕNIT1 carries a γ-PGA hydrolase gene (pghP) that help it to counteract the host cell’s protection strategy. ϕNIT had a linear double stranded DNA genome of 155,631-bp with a terminal redundancy of 5,103-bp, containing a gene encoding an active levan hydrolase. These capsule-lytic enzyme genes were located in the possible foreign gene cluster regions between central core and terminal redundant regions, and were expressed at the late phase of the phage lytic cycle. All tested natto origin Spounavirinaephages carried both genes for capsule degrading enzymes similar to ϕNIT1. A comparative genomic analysis revealed the diversity among ϕNIT1 and Bacillusphages carrying pghP-like and levan-hydrolase genes, and provides novel understanding on the acquisition mechanism of these enzymatic genes.

The KamLAND liquid scintillator detector demonstrated the detection of antineutrinos produced by natural radioactivities in the Earth, so-called geoneutrinos. Although this first result of geoneutrinos is consistent with current geophysical models, more accurate measurements are essential to provide a new window for exploring the inside of the Earth. In this article I would like to discuss the future prospects of KamLAND geoneutrino detection, and the possibility of directional measurement of incoming geoneutrinos. It is interesting to consider the application of geoneutrino detectors to measurements of other neutrino signals. The possibility of detecting the solar 7Be, pep and CNO neutrinos is discussed. A new type detector concept is proposed not only to explore the precise measurement of reactor neutrino oscillations but also to enable us to realize the neutrino tomography inside the Earth.