Researchers found a phage carrying animal-like DNA related to the black widow spider toxin gene, which also shares DNA with animal genomes. This discovery may provide insights into genetic engineering Wolbachia to fight diseases.
The University of Copenhagen is receiving $1 million to research manipulating intestinal flora for obesity prevention. The project, PhageGut, aims to use lytic phages to shape the composition of the intestinal flora and prevent obesity.
Researchers from Institut Pasteur and Université catholique de Louvain identify genetic and metabolic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic action of a bacteriophage. The study reveals that RNA metabolism plays a crucial role in the infection strategy of the bacteriophage, with control mechanisms involving small RNA and antisense RNA.
A recent study reveals that bacteriophage PAK_P3 degrades bacterial RNAs and scavenges pyrimidine nucleotides to replicate. This finding highlights the prominent role of RNA metabolism in phage infection, offering a new understanding of phage therapy's potential.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a new blood test that detects Mycobacteria in blood with high sensitivity. The test delivers results within 48 hours and has been shown to detect the bacterium M. bovis in cattle diagnosed with bovine tuberculosis (bTB) with high accuracy.
David Low's innovative project targets enteric pathogen-specific T2 bacteriophage to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded $100,000 GCE grant will support his research on a new approach using bacteriophage targeting essential outer membrane protein BamA.
Researchers discovered a bacteriophage virus in Connecticut that targets multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, making it susceptible to existing antibiotics. This 'phage' therapy has the potential to treat life-threatening infections and preserve medical options against deadly bacteria.
EPFL scientists have described the atomic-level mechanism of bacteriophage infection using state-of-the-art tools. The breakthrough reveals how the baseplate coordinates attachment and contraction of the viral tail, shedding light on a complex process that has major implications for medicine and research.
Researchers found that viruses opt for 'piggyback-the-winner' strategy, integrating into hosts to reduce replication and avoid immunity defenses. This model better explains virus-host dynamics during microbial population booms.
The NIH has awarded funding for 24 research projects developing non-traditional antibacterials, including therapeutic bacteria and phage therapy, to combat increasing antibiotic resistance. The grants aim to provide new treatment options for deadly infections.
A new phage treatment has shown strong anti-microbial activity against Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that can kill up to 40% of infected infants. The treatment, CR5, killed the bacteria quickly and effectively, without producing toxins or virulence factors.
Researchers at San Diego State University discovered that bacteriophages employ subdiffusive motion to find and kill bacteria in mucosal surfaces. This novel hunting strategy is more effective when bacterial concentrations are high, making it a unique approach among predators on Earth.
Researchers have engineered viruses to target specific bacteria, offering a new approach to combatting human disease. The customizable viruses could be used to treat various infections, including those caused by E. coli, Yersinia, and Klebsiella bacteria.
Researchers at Brigham Young University have successfully used bacteriophage to decontaminate human MRSA bacteria from surfaces and fabrics, showing promise in treating the deadly superbug. The findings offer hope in combating antibiotic-resistant MRSA, which can cause serious disease and death.
Researchers are uncovering how bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance genes through conjugation, a process that involves exchanging genetic material with other microbes. Understanding this mechanism could lead to the development of more effective treatments, such as phage therapy, which uses viruses to target bacterial infections.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have discovered a natural cocktail of four bacteriophages that can prevent and treat Pierce's disease in wine grapes. The phage treatment offers an alternative to pesticides for disease control, with promising results in both greenhouse experiments and field testing.
Researchers found phages in 49 out of 50 chicken samples that can transduce antimicrobial resistance genes to E. coli bacteria, highlighting the need for phage therapy and improved disinfection methods.
Researchers found that nearly half of chicken meat samples contained viruses capable of transferring antibiotic resistance genes. Phages were able to transfer resistance to multiple antibiotics, including extended spectrum betalactam antibiotics.
Researchers discovered how bacteria differentiate between self and foreign DNA using the CRISPR system, which involves identifying rapidly replicating DNA and utilizing DNA repair processes to create immune memory.
Researchers at the University of Exeter discovered that bacteria can evolve a permanent immune response to phages, but also induce a temporary CRISPR response for low-risk conditions. This finding has implications for industrial bacterial cultures and could lead to more efficient and cost-effective methods.
Researchers identified a bacteriophage from Jerusalem sewage that can infect and eliminate Enterococcus faecalis biofilms, a common cause of persistent root canal infections. This phage therapy approach may offer a new solution for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Scientists at Brigham Young University have developed a natural treatment using phages to protect baby bees from American Foulbrood, a deadly disease that kills off larvae and leads to hive collapse. The researchers identified five phage candidates for honeybee treatment, providing a potential alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers found that viruses can contaminate surfaces within 2-4 hours, spreading to 40-60% of workers and visitors. Disinfecting wipes with quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS) reduced virus spread by 80-99% when used in conjunction with hand hygiene.
Researchers found that phages can force cholera bacteria to give up their virulence in order to survive, making them less fit to cause infection. This discovery suggests a new strategy for treating or preventing cholera using phage therapy.
A new study proposes a theory that explains co-evolutionary changes in predator-prey relationships, revealing unique behaviors at the population scale. The research suggests that evolutionary changes can dramatically affect species relationships, potentially making them more vulnerable or less vulnerable.
A team of French investigators discovered viruses containing antibiotic resistance genes in a fossilized fecal sample from 14th century Belgium. The findings suggest that the viral community plays a fundamental role in maintaining human health, unchanged over centuries.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a new method for anthrax detection that can identify anthrax in just five hours, compared to current tests which take 24-48 hours. The new method uses a bioluminescent reporter phage to detect anthrax bacteria and rule out false positives.
A new alternative approach to traditional introductory laboratory courses significantly increases student retention rates. Research published in mBio found that SEA-PHAGES students continued on to their second year at over 90% higher rates than other groups.
Researchers have discovered a new bacteriophage that infects the bacterium causing anthrax, offering potential solutions for detection and treatment. The phage, named Bacillus phage Tsamsa, is unusually large and can target not only anthrax but also closely related bacteria.
A new study at Caltech describes a mechanism for bacterial biofilms to induce the transformation of marine invertebrates from larvae to adults. Researchers discovered that phage tail-like structures, similar to those used by viruses to inject genetic material into bacteria, play a crucial role in this process.
Researchers at Florida State University have made groundbreaking findings on a bacteriophage that infects nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The study reveals novel details about the virus's DNA and physical structure, shedding light on how it invades and impacts bacteria.
Researchers at UH Manoa discovered a biological trigger behind marine biofouling, where certain bacteria induce larval metamorphosis. This process has implications for boat owners and the mariculture industry, which rely on larval settlement to create new communities.
Researchers have successfully constructed a human Fab library and identified a single-domain antibody that specifically targets amyloid-beta 42 oligomers. This breakthrough discovery offers new hope for treating Alzheimer's disease by reducing amyloid-beta burden and improving memory performance.
Researchers discovered a temporary tube-shaped structure in the phiX174 virus to deliver its DNA during infection. The tube attaches to host cell membranes and contains amino acids ideal for DNA transfer. This finding may be crucial for efficient genome translocation.
A novel design uses a magnetoelastic biosensor and surface-scanning coil detector to detect Salmonella on food surfaces, enabling real-time testing of food and processing plant equipment. This handheld device can be used in agricultural fields or processing plants to quickly identify contaminated surfaces.
A new recombinant antibody can detect and isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord blood, a nonembryonic source with promising applications in tissue engineering and blood stem cell transplantation. The antibody recognizes an i blood group antigen present on MSCs.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have identified a dozen new types of unknown viruses infecting different strains of marine bacteria. These bacteriophages play key roles in global processes such as oxygen and carbon cycling, climate patterns, and nutrient availability.
Researchers found that bacteriophages significantly reduce C. difficile cells and toxin production without harming the gut microbiota, offering a potential new therapeutic agent to combat hospital infections. However, some bacteria may develop resistance due to lysogeny, requiring further development to control C. difficile infections.
Researchers discover gut viruses confer antibiotic resistance to bacteria by transferring genes that help them withstand multiple antibiotics, raising concerns about the emergence of superbugs and the need for a new approach to mitigate development of antibiotic resistance
Researchers developed Epimorex to target bacterial weaknesses exploited by viruses that attack them. In mice, Epimorex protected against anthrax and killed MRSA with no evidence of resistance.
A new study reveals that certain viruses, known as bacteriophages, can hijack the immune systems of bacteria to overcome their defenses. This discovery has significant implications for phage therapy, which could potentially treat bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics.
Scientists have identified a unique phage that acts as a predator, infecting and harming competing bacterial strains in the human intestine. The discovery could lead to new techniques for controlling bacteria in a natural way, opening up questions about the role of phages in shaping gut communities.
Scientists have isolated and studied 11 viruses that can infect and kill the acne-causing bacterium P. acnes, potentially paving the way for topical therapies. The study found that these phages share a high degree of similarity in their DNA, making it less likely to develop resistance to phage-based antimicrobial therapy.
Scientists at Monash University have deciphered the atomic structure of PlyC, a powerful anti-bacterial lysin that kills bacteria causing infections from sore throats to pneumonia. PlyC's unique 'saucer' shape and eight docking sites make it 100 times more efficient than other lysins at killing certain bacteria.
Researchers have identified a set of viruses shared among individuals from different parts of the world, which target the gut microbiota. The study found that nearly 80% of these viruses are common to two or more individuals, suggesting a global reservoir of phages attacking our gut bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas have identified three viruses that target the bacteria causing American Foulbrood Disease in honeybees. The discovery offers hope for a new treatment to replace current methods that involve burning infected hives and could help save millions of bees.
Researchers at CNIO have discovered a new target for developing anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral therapies. The protein ephrinB2 was found to play a crucial role in angiogenesis and lymphoangiogenesis, processes that promote tumour growth and metastasis.
Researchers create iPhage particles that penetrate cells using penetratin, targeting specific organelles like mitochondria and ribosomes. They discover a peptide ligand that disrupts ribosomal function, killing cancer cells and reducing cell survival in malignant and non-malignant cells.
New research uses imaging techniques to observe how Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, kills off its rivals using a spring-loaded poison dagger. The study reveals the Type 6 secretion system's role in this process and has implications for understanding bacterial virulence and potential drug targets.
Researchers discovered that certain ocean bacteria are tricked into using their own machinery to activate genes carried by viruses. The viruses inject DNA into stressed bacteria, which then support the virus' replication cycle. This co-evolutionary relationship reveals a sophisticated mechanism of gene regulation and exploitation.
A new study reveals four distinct configurations of the SBP8a bacteriophage, showing its ability to penetrate anthrax cells and control DNA flow. The discovery provides an initial blueprint for modifying the phage into a detection tool for anthrax and other bioterror agents.
Researchers have identified four new 'ZIP codes' in the human blood vessel network that could help fight cancer, obesity and other diseases. These shared addresses were found to be associated with specific receptors and ligands, opening up new avenues for targeted therapies.
Researchers observe helicase enzymes unzipping DNA by manipulating single molecules and observing nucleotide effects. They found ATP can cause unwinding, but only in single-molecule studies.
Scientists use a novel technique to analyze virus-bacterium associations in living organisms, revealing one-to-one correspondence and potential ancient infections. The study opens new avenues for understanding coevolution between viruses and their hosts.
Researchers developed a new technique to identify self-proteins targeted in autoimmune diseases. Using phage display technology, they created a proteome library to examine molecular details of immune responses.
Twelve Washington University students isolated and characterized 18 novel phages, including two from St. Louis, in a research project supported by the Science Education Alliance. The findings provide insights into genome architecture and evolution of mycobacteriophages.
A Wayne State University School of Medicine researcher has developed a potential vaccine for Chlamydia, targeting the disease's leading causes of blindness and infertility. The technology demonstrates a successful vaccine effect in an animal model, paving the way for human trials and potentially significant public health benefits.
Researchers harness the power of fast-replicating bacterial viruses to evolve biomolecules in the laboratory, generating enzymes with desired properties in just weeks. The phage-assisted continuous evolution approach allows for rapid generation of proteins and nucleic acids with tailored properties.
A new company, Fixed Phage Limited, has been launched to commercialize technology developed at the University of Strathclyde to tackle bacterial infections and contamination. The technology uses bacteriophages, naturally occurring viruses that are non-toxic but effective against bacteria.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a total of $2 million in grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to support its precollege and undergraduate science education initiatives. The four-year grants will fund academic programs that encourage high school and undergraduate students to engage in active research, fosteri...