A recent study published in Environmental Microbiology and Nature Reviews Microbiology reveals that E.coli O157:H7 can thrive in cow intestines due to its ability to scavenge ethanolamine, a nutrient not found by other bacteria. This breakthrough could lead to non-medical methods to eradicate the bug, reducing food contamination and hu...
Researchers have identified a new class of long non-protein-coding RNAs that respond to SARS-CoV and influenza virus infections, suggesting they play a role in determining the outcome of infection. The study found distinct profiles of genetic activity associated with pathogenicity and lethal infection.
Jennifer Abrams, a UTHealth graduate student, has been awarded a three-year fellowship to investigate molecular causes of protein misfolding diseases. Her research aims to understand how cells deal with early stages of these diseases, potentially leading to interventions.
Catherine A. Blish receives ICAAC Young Investigator Award for elucidating neutralizing antibodies in HIV transmission, sponsored by Merck. Her work shows that broad neutralizing antibody responses may not prevent superinfection with a second strain of HIV.
Benjamin tenOever, a leading expert in microbiology and infectious diseases, has been awarded the 2010 ICAAC Young Investigator Award. His research focuses on understanding the cell's response to infection and developing novel strategies for vaccine and antiviral drug design.
Dr. Binh An Diep, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, has made significant contributions to understanding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) epidemiology and pathogenesis.
Manuela Raffatellu, a UC Irvine researcher, received the 2010 ICAAC Young Investigator Award from ASM for her work on Salmonella typhimurium's interaction with the gut. Her research has identified novel roles for early T cell responses and IL-17 in preventing bacterial dissemination.
Carol Iversen received the 2010 ICAAC Young Investigator Award for her research on Enterobacter sakazakii taxonomy. Her work led to the creation of a new genus Cronobacter, which has improved detection and isolation of the bacteria.
Researchers found that bacterial communication promotes persistence and resistance to antibiotics in ear infections caused by multiple bacteria species, particularly Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Disrupting this communication could lead to effective treatments for chronic ear infections.
Researchers discover mutant strain of gum disease-causing bacteria that can activate autophagy, a cellular process that breaks down waste products and plaques associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This finding could lead to novel therapeutics for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other diseases.
Mycobacterium vaccae has been shown to increase serotonin levels and decrease anxiety in mice, leading to improved learning behavior. The temporary effects suggest a potential role for the bacteria in anxiety and learning in mammals.
Researchers have found a statistically significant association between enteroviral infection and diagnosis of type-1 diabetes in children, with 83% of patients testing positive for enteroviral DNA. The study suggests that different enterovirus types may represent a significant biomarker for early-stage juvenile diabetes.
A new animal model demonstrates that early childhood lung infections can lead to asthma development later in life. The study found that an altered immune response in neonatal mice played a key role in the progression of asthma.
A five-year study in Bangladesh found that women's use of sari cloth to filter household water reduced cholera incidence by 48% in their own households. Neighboring households not filtering water also saw a lower incidence of disease, highlighting the indirect benefit of the practice.
Researchers have developed a novel influenza vaccine that could represent the next step towards a universal influenza vaccine eliminating seasonal immunizations. The vaccine uses headless hemaglutinin (HA) protein, inducing a broader and more robust immune response in mice.
Researchers found nearly 20% of cryptococcosis patients had mixed infections with multiple strains of C. neoformans, evolving during infection. This challenges the traditional concept of a single pathogen causing disease.
The American Society for Microbiology has launched a new open access online journal, mBio, to publish cutting-edge research in microbiology and related fields. The journal features a wide range of topics, including influenza vaccine strategies, universal vaccines, and fungal diseases.
Researchers discovered an identical gene for antibiotic resistance in human and animal samples, suggesting its transfer between bacteria species. This finding poses a risk to the treatment of common human infections like UTIs, which are increasingly difficult to treat due to rising antibiotic resistance.
The American Society for Microbiology will honor Scripps Institution of Oceanography pioneer Claude ZoBell's contributions to marine microbiology. The event, held on May 22, recognizes ZoBell's pioneering research career and his work laying the foundation for the field.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop a safe and cost-effective strategy for immune intervention. The project aims to boost immunity with minimal adverse effects in populations at risk due to malnutrition and poor socio-economic conditions.
Scientists have identified a rare species of pathogenic algae causing human skin infections and septicemia. The discovery may lead to better treatment protocols and economic benefits for the dairy industry.
A new bacterial species found in the fly that transmits African sleeping sickness has been identified as a potential tool for controlling the disease. The bacterium, named Serratia glossinae, has shown promise in killing the parasite that causes the disease and could lead to new treatment strategies.
Researchers found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria can inhibit Candida albicans biofilm formation on silicone surfaces. This discovery could lead to the development of new antimicrobial drugs and additives to prevent hospital-acquired fungal infections.
Scientists have engineered Bacillus anthracis to produce higher-than-normal amounts of capsule depolymerase, releasing the protective capsule and leaving the bacterium vulnerable to detection and destruction by the immune system.
Recent studies found that diverse microbial communities persist on spacecraft despite sterilization efforts. Escherichia coli was discovered to survive on Martian surfaces under shielded conditions or with thin dust layers.
A newly discovered strain of virulent airborne fungi has caused several deaths in Oregon and is expected to spread to California and other areas. The fungal disease, Cryptococcus gattii, typically affects transplant recipients and HIV-infected patients, but the new strain appears to be a threat to otherwise healthy individuals.
Researchers have discovered a new species of bacterium, Endoxenoturbella lovénii, found only in the Gullmarsfjord north of Gothenburg. The bacterium is an endosymbiotic prokaryote living in the gut of a unique marine worm called Xenoturbella.
Cryptococcus fungi have an expanded set of genes encoding sugar transporter molecules, allowing them to efficiently move sugar inside cells and thrive. The fungi's love for sugar may be a potential weakness, as scientists can target them by developing low-carbohydrate strategies to block infections.
A novel stem cell therapy has been developed to arm the immune system against HIV, potentially improving quality of life and life expectancy for those who have failed antiviral drugs. The therapy involves delivering antiviral DNA to patient immune cells, which can block viral gene production using RNA interference.
The study reveals that Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses small RNAs to subtly tweak bacterial production in response to environmental signals, enhancing its survival. This understanding can lead to the design of new drugs targeting persistent TB forms.
Bacteria have a CRISPR defence system that can be passed down to future generations, providing immunity against viral attacks. This system could be exploited to give bacteria 'flu jabs' to protect them against real-world threats, increasing industrial productivity and reducing costs.
A team of researchers at Imperial College London developed a mathematical model to explain chemotaxis in bacteria. They found that Escherichia coli adapts to potentially toxic molecules more quickly than to nutrients.
Bile helps E. coli O157:H7 bacteria survive by increasing iron uptake, while reducing attachment to host cells in the large intestine. This study could lead to better protection of food from contamination and a deeper understanding of bacterial disease mechanisms.
Researchers found that thyme essential oil can almost completely eliminate bacteria within 60 minutes, with high efficacy against Staphylococcus species. The study suggests that essential oils could be a cheap and effective alternative to antibiotics, reducing the risk of new strains of antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms.
The emergence of multidrug-resistant gonococcal bacteria threatens to make gonorrhoea extremely difficult to treat. Current treatment antibiotics may soon lose effectiveness due to rapid resistance development.
Computer modeling and systems biology approaches can help tailor treatments to individuals, predicting disease progression and identifying host genes that affect viral development. This approach may lead to more effective treatment, detection, and prevention of future pandemics.
Small algae consume more bacteria than specialized predators, gaining a competitive survival edge in the open ocean. This finding supports the idea that bacteria are a crucial nutrient source for these microorganisms.
Scientists use micro-particles to mimic bacterial scents, tracking immune cell responses. Neutrophils migrate towards single chemical-releasing particles within minutes.
Isoprene-degrading bacteria discovered near coastal zones, improving models of climate change and environmental factors. These microbes also break down alkanes, potentially aiding oil-degrading survival between spills.
Scientists have developed yeast that efficiently converts a wider range of plant waste sugars into alcohols for biofuel production. The modified yeast can produce both ethanol and butanol, which could replace fossil fuels with superior properties.
Researchers have identified a molecule that blocks a key signaling pathway in pathogenic gut bacteria, reducing toxin production and preventing infection. This breakthrough discovery represents a novel class of antimicrobial agents with broad-spectrum efficacy.
A recent study has discovered that certain marine bacteria can form biofilms on plastic fragments, potentially breaking them down. This research could lead to new methods for cleaning up microplastics and reducing their impact on marine life.
Researchers have discovered that Mycobacterium tuberculosis stimulates macrophages to accumulate fat droplets, turning them into 'foamy' cells that can reawaken the latent TB infection. This cellular transformation allows the bacteria to leak out into the airways and progressively destroy lung tissue.
Marine Roseobacter clade decline linked to ocean acidification may impact global climate system and socio-economic consequences. Ocean acidification could significantly affect fish stocks and coral reef erosion.
Rachel J. Dutton received the Raymond W. Sarber Award for her research on disulfide bond formation pathways across bacterial genomes. Her discovery of an alternative VKOR homologue in Mycobacterium tuberculosis has implications for understanding bacterial protein stability and anticoagulant resistance.
Maynard V. Olson receives the Promega Biotechnology Research Award for his development of orthogonal-field-alternation gel electrophoresis, yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) system, and sequence-tagged site (STS) mapping techniques. His work significantly contributed to the completion of the human genome map.
Harwood's discovery of the genes and enzymes involved in lignin degradation has major implications for environmental pollution and carbon cycling. Her work on light-driven nitrogenase processes also holds promise for sustainable energy production.
The American Society for Microbiology honors Samuel L. Katz with the Maurice Hilleman/Merck Award for his decades-long work on vaccine development. Katz, a renowned expert in vaccine research, has made significant contributions to pathogenesis, vaccine discovery, and disease prevention.
Wolf-Watz recognized for seminal work on Yersinia host-pathogen interaction and international collaborations that advanced microbiological sciences. His proposal of type III protein secretion systems as unique injectors of proteins into host cells has been critical to understanding host-pathogen interactions.
Dr. Diggle's research focuses on the ability of pathogenic bacteria to coordinate cooperative behaviours to exploit their hosts. His work has been published in top journals Nature and Current Biology, and he will deliver a key lecture at the Society for General Microbiology Spring Meeting
Renato J. Aguilera has been recognized by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) with the William A. Hinton Research Training Award for his efforts to train underrepresented minorities in microbiology. This award highlights his commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in scientific research.
Thomas M. Schmidt, a renowned microbiologist, has been honored with the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award. He is recognized for fostering an intellectually stimulating environment and inspiring rigorous thinkers through his clear explanations.
Researchers from Catholic University of Rome discover that a non-pathogenic bacterium can trigger an autoimmune disease similar to multiple sclerosis in mice. The study suggests that environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease, and could potentially lead to the development of a vaccine.
Scientists have revealed the 3-D structure of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a model system for understanding negative-strand RNA viruses. The research provides insights into the assembly process and proposes a model for viral structure, potentially leading to advances in cancer treatment and HIV vaccines.
Researchers found that maggot 'biosurgeons' used to treat chronic wounds are vulnerable to deadly bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can kill the maggots within 20 hours. This discovery could lead to more effective treatment of wounds and development of novel antibiotics.
Researchers tracked a virulent strain of MRSA using genome sequencing, shedding light on its spread between South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The study reveals the bacteria's evolutionary history and patient-to-patient transmission within a single hospital.
Researchers found that firing low temperature plasma beams at dentin reduced the amount of dental bacteria by up to 10,000-fold. The technology could be used to remove infected tissue in tooth cavities, replacing conventional drilling methods.
Research published in BMC Microbiology found that eating apples regularly can increase beneficial bacteria in the gut, producing short-chain fatty acids and butyrate. These findings suggest a link between apple consumption and improved digestive health.
Recent studies have identified probiotic microbes that produce anti-inflammatory compounds, such as butyric acid, which may treat inflammatory bowel disease. Strains like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum have shown promise in restoring normal gut bacteria levels and alleviating symptoms.
Using disinfectants can promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This adaptation enables the bacteria to survive and infect patients even without exposure to antibiotics.