Virginia Tech's CyberInfrastructure Group receives funding to integrate pathogen data, provide key resources and tools, and analyze genomic and proteomic data. The Pathogen Portal will serve as a centralized gateway for biomedical researchers.
Research finds that pathogenic E. coli are common in Michigan and Indiana streams, even with low fecal indicator bacteria concentrations. The study suggests that current methods for determining water quality may not accurately predict the presence of harmful pathogens.
The study found that the pathogen's genome is unusually large and has a unique structure, enabling rapid evolution of genes involved in plant infection. The 'two-speed' genomic strategy allows different parts of the genome to evolve at different rates, potentially making it harder for plants to resist infection.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Phytophthora infestans, the cause of the Irish potato famine, to aid in its control and development of chemical-free methods. The pathogen's unique genetic traits, including repetitive DNA sequences, play a key role in its virulence and adaptability.
Researchers discovered higher levels of pathogens and co-infections in honeybees from collapsing colonies, but no single pathogen can be identified as the cause. The study suggests that CCD may be contagious or caused by exposure to a common risk factor impairing bee immune systems.
Researchers discovered that Candida albicans, a human fungal pathogen, engages in same-sex mating alongside traditional opposite-sex mating. This finding expands understanding of sex mechanisms in microbial species and suggests increased opportunities for sex in natural populations.
Researchers identify essential virulence genes in Phytopthora infestans that can be targeted for host resistance. This discovery paves the way for novel strategies to control crop losses and improve global food security.
Researchers discovered that flexibility in DC-SIGN's neck region allows it to recognize a broader range of pathogens, including Ebola, Dengue fever, and HIV. This flexibility enables the protein to adapt to different target surfaces, maximizing bond strength.
Researchers discovered that GBS fools the immune system by reducing production of antibiotic molecules, allowing the bacteria to survive and proliferate. This understanding may lead to new targets for medical therapy to boost the immune system and clear GBS infection in critically ill newborns.
Researchers created a genetic linkage map for S. mansoni, a blood fluke infecting 90 million people in Africa and the New World. The map will facilitate high-resolution population genetic studies and improve understanding of transmission patterns.
Researchers, led by MU computer scientist Dmitry Korkin, are using machine learning and pattern recognition to identify protein binding sites in plants that match those of pathogens. This work may help improve soybean cultivars for disease resistance by accelerating discovery of resistance to the soybean cyst nematode.
A study found similarities between a plant-dwelling bacterium and a hospital-resident pathogen, highlighting potential risks of using the former for biotech applications. The research suggests caution in using this strain due to its antibiotic resistance and ability to form biofilms.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a critical role of interleukin-1β in protecting against oral colonization by Candida albicans. The study found that IL-1β is secreted by human immune cells in response to Candida infection and helps modulate the immune system, providing new avenues for therapeutic targets.
Scientists have identified a new arenavirus, Lujo virus, linked to a fatal hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Zambia and South Africa. Genetic analysis confirms the utility of high-throughput sequencing for pathogen discovery, enabling rapid detection and response to emerging viral diseases.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered two biochemical signals promoting the development of memory cells in immune cells. These signals, interferon alpha and IL-12, play distinct roles in driving immediate and long-term immunity.
University of Missouri researchers have identified important genetic components that negatively regulate the plant's immune system, allowing for more durable safeguards against pathogens. This discovery could lead to the development of crops with improved resistance to diseases and increased seed production.
A study published in Environmental Microbiology reveals that cigarette smoke changes the DNA and membrane proteins of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key bacterial cause of periodontitis. This adaptation affects the immune system's recognition of the pathogen, making smokers more susceptible to oral disease.
A single protein called SopB allows Salmonella to invade cells and hijack cellular functions, enabling it to avoid destruction. The study reveals how SopB coaxes cells to mark the protein with ubiquitin, making it recognizable to cellular machinery.
Research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveals the mineral phosphate plays a crucial role in its deadly behavior, potentially leading to new treatments that disarm the pathogen without killing it. Excess phosphate can mitigate harm caused by activated P. aeruginosa, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach.
A novel compound called azelaic acid has been identified as a primer for the plant's immune system, leading to increased systemic plant immunity and disease resistance. The discovery was made by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Chicago.
A new review sparks debate over climate change's effect on pathogens, with some arguing it may reduce their ranges in affluent regions. However, others believe disease expansion could occur in areas where humans settle high latitudes and altitudes.
Researchers have developed a new generation of natural antibiotics using bioengineering, targeting harmful micro-organisms like MRSA and Listeria monocytogenes. These enhanced nisin variants possess greater activities against clinical pathogens and could become acceptable alternatives to current antimicrobials.
A new study by Oregon State University and other institutions reveals that invading diseases can accelerate their spread, posing serious concerns for human diseases and a new fungus threatening global wheat production. The research suggests that the right set of conditions could lead to significant crop losses in some parts of the world.
Researchers at Kansas State University collaborated with Epitopix LLC to develop the US' first vaccine against E. coli O157 in beef cattle. The vaccine has been granted conditional approval by the USDA and is expected to help reduce cattle shedding of the pathogen.
Researchers have detailed the molecular structure of Clostridium difficile's protective 'jacket', a surface layer that helps the pathogen colonize human gut cells and cause illness. Understanding this structure could lead to new treatments, including targeted drugs and vaccines, to combat the deadly superbug.
Researchers found a citric acid-based Achilles heel in the African Violet houseplant pathogen that could be exploited to treat Anthrax. A common strategy to block both Anthrax and African Violet siderophore synthesis pathways has been identified, offering new possibilities for combating infections.
A briefcase-sized kit, called PADLOC, aims to detect plant diseases rapidly and accurately, allowing farmers to take action to prevent damage. The kit uses nanotechnology to measure microorganisms and provide real-time recommendations for farmers.
Researchers sequence genomes of 99 known cold virus strains, exposing vulnerabilities that could lead to effective remedies. The study's findings also shed light on the genetic composition of rhinovirus A and B, as well as emerging species C, which is more virulent.
Researchers compared four different strains of Coxiella burnetii to build a comprehensive picture of its genetic architecture and content. They found that strain virulence was associated with a smaller genome and the loss of genes, possibly due to pseudogene formation.
Researchers have discovered a compound that targets four crucial metabolic pathways of the tuberculosis bacterium, weakening and destroying it. This approach could lead to the development of safer, single-drug treatments that eliminate the need for lengthy medication regimens.
Researchers have decoded the language of memory cells that protect against re-infection, a breakthrough in understanding immunological memory development. The study reveals distinct program generates memory cells for vaccine effectiveness and cancer research applications.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered a key protein component involved in inflammation detection and reaction to cytoplasmic DNA produced by infections or tissue damage. AIM2, a tumor suppressor, induces cell death to prevent pathogen replication.
A new University of Delaware research study is exploring the emergence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a leading cause of seafood-borne illness worldwide. The study aims to determine the pathogen's virulence genes and develop an agent to treat contaminated oysters.
Research reveals that California sea otters living in coastal areas with limited resources are more susceptible to diseases caused by parasites. The study found that diet diversity among individual otters can lead to higher infection rates, highlighting the importance of habitat quality for maintaining healthy populations.
Kansas State University is receiving a $1 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture to study the wheat blast fungus, a pathogen that has become a serious threat in Brazil. The researchers will sequence the fungus's genome and screen Kansas wheat varieties for resistance to the disease.
Researchers have identified three genes from the 1918 flu virus that enabled it to replicate in lung tissue, a key factor in its lethality. The discovery could help identify potential virulence factors in new pandemic strains and inform the development of new antiviral drugs.
Farming of fish in ocean cages promotes infection and lowers fitness of wild fish, leading to higher death rates. Sea lice are a major example of disease transfer in ocean fish farming, causing widespread decline of wild fish populations.
A newly discovered species of microsporidia infects the roundworm C. elegans, providing a powerful system to study these mysterious microbes and develop new drugs. This discovery has the potential to identify new treatments for human microsporidian infections.
A new study found that a bacterial pathogen disables the tomato plant's intruder alarm system by deactivating cell surface receptors, allowing the bacteria to spread rapidly without resistance. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new ways of tackling plant diseases without pesticides.
Biologists have discovered a sexual cycle in the deadly fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, revealing its ability to adapt to new environments and evade antifungal drugs. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for patients infected with the fungus, which causes severe asthma and immune deficiency-related deaths.
Researchers have uncovered how a bacterial pathogen interacts with blood coagulation protein fibrinogen to cause MRSA infections. They found that agents could be designed to inhibit the ClfA–Fg interaction without interfering with platelet activation, offering new avenues for anti-staphococcal treatment.
A new strategy targets the cooperation among pathogens, which is more effective than killing individual cells with traditional drugs. By disrupting the teamwork, the immune system can combat any remaining infection.
The study found that contaminated contact lens storage cases pose a significant risk of severe eye infection, with pathogens detected in over two-thirds of cases. Refractive surgery practices for people with HIV/AIDS are also highlighted, with most surgeons taking precautions but acknowledging the need for formal study.
Genetic research reveals black rats carried a pathogenic protozoan that exterminated two endemic species on Christmas Island. The study is the first to demonstrate extinction in a mammal due to disease, contradicting most scientists' view of pathogens' effect on species.
MRSA infections cause only 14 percent of hospital infections, making targeted screening programs less effective. A study by VCU epidemiologists suggests that hospital-wide infection control practices can prevent more infections than focusing on a single pathogen.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that the nervous system of the minuscule worm Caenorhabditis elegans induces a change in its susceptibility to bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By manipulating the secretion patterns of nerve cells, they identified a particular molecule that binds to receptors i...
Scientists discovered that Cryptococcus yeast cells hide inside macrophages and use them as vehicles to travel through the body before attacking and spreading. This new escape mechanism allows the yeast cells to evade antifungal drugs and the immune system, making fatal infections harder to treat.
Researchers led by Professor Ten Feizi aim to identify receptor molecules in the human respiratory tract to understand why H5N1 has not evolved into an effective pathogen. They also seek to determine how changes in the virus's binding protein may increase its ability to attach to and cause infection.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 can limit damage from infection-related inflammation. The research demonstrates the anti-inflammatory and pathogen protection benefits of this strain, suggesting potential benefits beyond gastrointestinal health.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a rapid test that can detect multiple diseases and antibiotic resistance in a single sample, reducing the diagnosis time from days to just 24 hours. The test has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis of animal and human infections, as well as enhance our response to bioterrori...
Researchers found that V para hijacks host cell processes to trigger rapid autophagy, leading to cell death within three hours. The study highlights the importance of understanding this pathogen's molecular mechanisms to develop effective treatments.
A UCR graduate student has discovered a new bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous, closely related to citrus greening disease, that causes yellowing of tomato and potato leaves. The bacterium is vectored by the tomato/potato psyllid into host plants, resulting in yield losses up to 85% in commercial crops.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have identified a region of virulence proteins that enables them to enter the cells of their hosts, suppressing the immune system and allowing infection to progress. The discovery may lead to new approaches for blocking infections by both oomycete and malaria parasites.
New research reveals that commercial bees are infecting and spreading diseases to wild pollinators, contributing to declining pollinator populations. The study found that commercially produced bumble bees carry a harmful pathogen that can be transmitted to wild bees at flowers.
A new study has identified a molecular alarm system in which intracellular pathogens send signals to kick the immune response into gear. The findings shed light on how cells recognize and destroy pathogenic bugs living within their walls, potentially providing new targets for vaccine and drug research.
Researchers at UTSA have identified mast cells as a potential player in combating tularemia, a life-threatening respiratory pathogen. The study suggests that mast cells can interact with other cells to control bacterial replication, opening up new avenues for understanding the immune system's response to tularemia.
The USDA Forest Service has named the tree-killing fungus responsible for 'laurel wilt', causing devastating disease in redbay and other laurel species. Lead author Tom Harrington and co-author Stephen Fraedrich unveiled the name, Raffaelea lauricola, after publishing an article in Mycotaxon journal.
A research study found that extreme weather events can alter normal host-pathogen relationships, leading to catastrophic mortality from multiple infectious outbreaks in wildlife. Climate extremes can trigger mass die-offs of livestock and wildlife by creating a perfect storm of infectious diseases.
Researchers identified Mfd as a key factor promoting fluoroquinolone resistance in Campylobacter. Eliminating Mfd from the bacteria resulted in a 100-fold reduction in antibiotic-resistant mutants.
Research by JMU researchers suggests that adding probiotic bacteria to the skin of mountain yellow-legged frogs can lessen the effects of a lethal skin pathogen. Field studies have also shown that populations with higher proportions of individuals with anti-pathogen bacteria are more likely to survive.