Researchers have identified a bacterial strain called T1 that can break down toluene, a hazardous industrial solvent. This discovery could lead to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods for cleaning up contaminated sites, reducing the need for expensive excavation and disposal methods.
The symposium focuses on microbial evolution, genetics, and ecology, shedding light on the complexity of life and its applications in biotechnology. Key areas of research include mutation mechanisms, antibiotic resistance, and plant microbiome interactions.
The ASM Public Communications Award recognizes achievement by journalists in communicating microbiological sciences to the general public. The award is open to stories published or aired in calendar year 1999, and nominees must submit a completed nomination cover page, letter, and copies of their work.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that HIV alters gene function in cells within three days of infection, affecting T-cell signaling and immune system functions. The study used cDNA microarray technology to examine gene expression levels and may lead to new treatments for the disease.
Researchers found a consistent pattern of viral evolution in individuals who later progressed to full-blown AIDS, allowing for preclinical stage recognition. This prediction may help target therapies to prevent or slow disease progression.
Two groups of researchers at Colorado State University will receive funding to develop new drugs against tuberculosis, a leading bacterial killer causing 10 million new cases annually. The research teams will collaborate with pharmaceutical companies and use advanced testing infrastructure to identify potential anti-TB compounds.
Dr. Rafi Ahmed will deliver a lecture on immune memory to viruses as part of the 1999 Tadeusz J. Wiktor Memorial Lecture series at The Wistar Institute. His research focuses on chronic viral infections and immunology, building on his PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Harvard.
Researchers at UNC Health Care have identified a new way to halt herpes simplex virus reproduction by targeting its molecular tracks. The study found that inhibiting JNK protein kinase reduces viral yield in cells by up to 70%.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina will use a novel vaccine method to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine. Early tests on monkeys show promise, with vaccinated animals showing significant cellular and humoral immunity and reduced virus load.
Researchers have identified a substance produced by the tuberculosis bacterium that triggers an immune response, suggesting it could enhance vaccine effectiveness. The substance, combined with vaccines, may push the body's immune system in the right direction to fight tuberculosis and other microbial infections.
Penn State researchers have found a statistically significant correlation between the presence of Helicobacter pylori in private wells and cases of stomach ulcers. The study reveals that even coliform-free water samples can contain the ulcer-causing bacterium, raising questions over the safety of current drinking water testing methods.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that bug zappers can spread microorganisms including viruses, potentially causing harm to humans. The devices may not be effective in controlling insect populations, as they indiscriminately kill beneficial insects and only kill a small percentage of damaging insects.
A symposium on bioprospecting was held at the American Society for Microbiology meeting, exploring microbial diversity and the search for novel natural products. Experts discussed the potential of bioprospecting to develop new drugs and chemicals, as well as its role in conservation and cultural diversity.
Biologists found Thiomargarita namibiensis in sediments off Namibian coast, living up to 3/4 mm wide and storing nitrate in an 'anaerobic lung'. The bacteria can survive for three months without external supply of nutrients, playing a crucial role in oxidizing toxic sulfide.
A culturally relevant behavioral intervention significantly reduced new cases of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea among African-American and Mexican-American women. The study found a 34% lower infection rate at six months, 49% by the end of year one, and 38% overall.
A recent study by UK researchers reveals how the Yersinia pestis bacterium uses its YopM toxin to target and destroy phagocytic cells, crippling the immune response. The findings provide new insights into bacterial causes of disease and cell biology, potentially leading to improved therapies for various diseases.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have created a way to create harmless vectors from harmful viruses. They showed that the vectors are efficient couriers of genes and can be used to study gene regulation and functions, as well as deliver DNA vaccines.
Researchers have designed a new genetic weapon called ribozymes to treat inherited human blindness by slowing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment targets the autosomal-dominant form of the disease and has shown significant protection of eye cells in lab rats.
The University of Washington is launching a doctoral program in astrobiology, funded by a $2 million NSF grant. Students will study organisms living in extreme conditions on Earth to prepare for finding life on Mars and Europa.
The report highlights the need for clinical microbiologists to integrate new technologies with existing methods to provide high-quality service. It emphasizes the importance of rapid laboratory turnaround times, particularly in outpatient settings, where clinicians require timely results to inform treatment decisions.
A new protein called HveC has been discovered that allows both Herpes Simplex-1 and -2, as well as animal herpesviruses, to infect human cells. This receptor has the broadest activity among the identified co-receptors, enabling entry of multiple strains of herpesviruses into various cell types.
E. Imre Friedman, a renowned desert researcher, has been awarded the Procter and Gamble Award in Applied and Environmental Microbiology for his groundbreaking work on microbial life in hot and cold deserts. His discoveries expanded our understanding of life's limits and pushed the boundaries of biogeochemistry and microbiology.
Dr. Richard Facklam, CDC Lab Chief, receives award for his contributions to clinical microbiology research, focusing on streptococci identification and pneumococcal vaccine development. He has also worked on antimicrobial resistance studies in developing countries.
David Botstein, Ronald Davis, and Eric Lander were awarded the Chiron Corporation Biotechnology Research Award for their pioneering work on genetic linkage analysis using molecular markers. Their research laid the foundation for the Human Genome Project and enabled the construction of human genetic maps.
Dr. Hultgren's work on pilus genetics, biosynthesis and structure has contributed significantly to understanding bacterial adhesions critical to pathogenesis. His research applications have led to recognition nationally and internationally.
Luther S. Williams, a prominent NSF scientist, has been awarded the William A. Hinton Research Training Award for his contributions to fostering minority participation in microbiology research. The award recognizes his dedication to mentoring students from underrepresented groups and promoting diversity in STEM fields.
Charles Yanofsky, a renowned Stanford University microbiologist, has been awarded the 1998 Abbott-American Society for Microbiology Lifetime Achievement Award. He made significant contributions to our understanding of gene expression and protein biosynthesis through his discovery of attenuation as a regulatory mechanism.
Scientists have discovered that Helicobacter pylori resistance to metronidazole is caused by mutation in the rdxA gene. This gene codes for an enzyme that converts metronidazole into hydroxylamine, a mutagen and cancer-causing chemical.
Researchers discovered that syphilis increases HIV transmission by activating immune cells through bacterial membrane lipoproteins. This understanding could lead to treatments to slow HIV disease progression. The study found a plausible molecular explanation for why people with syphilis are more likely to transmit or contract HIV.
Using advanced molecular methods, researchers at Harvard Medical School are identifying mysterious bacterial species that may be the cause of dental root caries and periodontitis. The team is also working on an integrated system for bacterial identification that can be used in various applications.
Hultgren's research focuses on understanding how bacteria attach to human tissue, a key event in disease onset. He has made significant breakthroughs in developing vaccines against urinary tract infections.
A study of college-age women found a high incidence of HPV infection, with prevalence ranging from 20-46% in different countries. Regular Pap smears are crucial for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.
A recent study found that most common colds are caused by viruses, with rhinovirus being the primary culprit. Researchers identified 138 cases of the common cold in university students, with 105 cases linked to rhinovirus infection.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a chlamydia vaccine that could prevent the leading cause of female infertility in the US. The vaccine targets a specific molecule present in all types of chlamydia, overcoming previous challenges in creating a vaccine for this bacterium.
The UT Southwestern Medical Center has received a five-year grant to train graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in molecular microbiology. The program will focus on the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis and interactions with host cells, among other topics.
Researchers found that houseflies can harbor Helicobacter pylori bacteria on their skin and in their digestive tract for up to 30 hours after exposure. The study suggests that flies may act as vectors in the transmission of H. pylori, particularly in areas with poor sanitation.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a potential new target for therapeutic drugs to treat hepatitis C. The study found that a protein called NS5A can bind to and inactivate a key component of interferon response, PKR. This could lead to the development of a new treatment for the disease.
A study published by University of Georgia researchers reveals a vast array of novel bacteria in Carolina bays, many of which remain unclassified. The discovery highlights the importance of the microbial world in shaping biodiversity.
A study demonstrates that the common cat flea is a competent vector for Bartonella henselae, the cause of cat scratch disease. Flea infestation control may reduce transmission between cats, and thus humans via scratches. Direct transmission from cat to cat cannot be demonstrated without fleas.
Dr. Daniel Fung's work on rapid methods in food safety has bridged the gap between clinical microbiology and food microbiology, enabling faster testing for pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. The goal is to provide real-time results within a day, reducing waiting periods from seven days, which were once common.