A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that the microbial population in NYC subway air is nearly identical to ambient air on city streets. The researchers used new methodologies, including fast collection of aerosols and rapid sequencing technology, to efficiently monitor the subway's microbial population.
University of Georgia researchers discovered essential genes in archaea that shed light on the history of microorganisms and the origins of life. The study found unique DNA synthesis systems, essential genes necessary for methane production, and insights into cell formation.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a natural protein called cholesterol-25-hydroxylase (CH25H) that can block the entry of HIV and other deadly viruses into cells. The protein, which is activated by interferon, produces an oxysterol that can permeate cell walls and inhibit viral growth.
A new study published in BMC Microbiology reveals that children with eczema have a more diverse set of bacteria in their guts than healthy children. The types of bacteria present were also more typical of adult gut microbes, suggesting an early change towards adult-type bacteria may be a risk factor for eczema.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that changes in dietary cholesterol can alter the gut flora, leading to a shift in bacterial populations. The researchers discovered that this change triggered an increase in cholesterol excretion into the gut, which in turn affected the abundance of certain bacterial taxa.
A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that transpacific dust plumes carry thousands of unique microbial species to North America. The researchers detected archaea at high altitudes, which has potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.
Hepatitis C virus triggers liver cell entry through PI3K and AKT pathway activation, potentially leading to cancer, cirrhosis, or organ failure. Researchers identified a novel target for anti-HCV drugs by disrupting the PI3K-AKT pathway.
Arturo Casadevall, Ekaterina Dadachova, and Joan Berman received funding to develop novel vaccines for tuberculosis (TB) and an innovative HIV treatment. They will use radioimmunotherapy (RIT) to target and destroy HIV-infected cells in the central nervous system.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is funding 16 top scientists for pioneering research in marine microbial ecology, exploring interactions between trillions of microscopic organisms and their environment. This funding aims to make new discoveries and advance our understanding of ocean ecosystems and climate change.
Scientists have confirmed the existence of a new tick-borne disease in Switzerland, neoehrlichiosis, which has infected eight patients with severe symptoms. A DNA test has been developed to detect the infection quickly, allowing for timely treatment.
Dr. Paul Keim's research in pathogen genomics and microbiology has been recognized for its importance in bolstering the nation's biodefense and preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases. His work has led to significant advancements in genomic investigations, including the detection of antibiotic resistance and antiviral resistance.
María Soledad Ramírez has been recognized for her outstanding work on integron participation in gene capture and dissemination, a crucial area of research in antimicrobial resistance. Her extensive experience and publications have made significant contributions to public health, addressing the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.
Mario Santiago has been awarded the ICAAC Young Investigator Award for his work on HIV research, particularly in understanding retroviral resistance genes and their mechanisms of action. His research has contributed significantly to the development of new approaches to HIV vaccine development.
David M. Tobin has made significant contributions to TB meningitis treatment and is developing new approaches to tackle drug-resistant TB. His work uses zebrafish models to probe host genetic determinants of susceptibility to mycobacterial infection.
William Hanage, a renowned expert in infectious disease epidemiology, has received the 2012 ICAAC Young Investigator Award from the American Society for Microbiology. His research focuses on understanding the factors behind the response of bacterial populations to antimicrobials and vaccines.
Joanna B. Goldberg, Professor at University of Virginia, receives the 2012 ASM Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award for distinguished teaching and mentoring of students. She has mentored over 75 students and directs the Microbial Pathogenesis course.
Stuart B. Levy receives the 2012 Abbott-ASM Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long dedication to understanding antibiotic resistance. His work has elucidated key mechanisms and control of resistance in bacterial and mammalian cells, leading to new treatments and strategies.
Geoffrey L. Smith, a renowned virologist and leader in the field of microbiology, has been awarded the GlaxoSmithKline International Member of the Year Award. He is recognized for his numerous original contributions to virology and his role as a leader in various scientific institutions.
Bess B. Ward has received the 2012 Procter & Gamble Award in Applied and Environmental Microbiology for her sustained influence on marine microbiology and contributions to understanding nitrogen cycling processes in low-oxygen regions of the ocean.
Dr. Micah I. Krichevsky has been recognized for his commitment to advancing women in microbiology through the American Society for Microbiology's Alice C. Evans Award. He established Bionomics International and developed a standardized method for computer coding of microbiological data, impacting research globally.
Anthony R. Richardson has been honored with the Merck Irving S. Sigal Memorial Award for his pioneering work on the metabolic adaptations of Staphylococcus aureus to host immunity. His research has profound implications for understanding the evolution and emergence of highly virulent pathogens.
Levine pioneered molecular approaches to develop live oral vaccines, including attenuated Salmonella Typhi and Shigella. He has made significant contributions to vaccine research, including epidemiologic field studies and large-scale controlled trials.
Dr. Patrice Courvalin has made significant contributions to understanding antibiotic resistance, including the discovery of vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus and the elucidation of transposition mechanisms. His work has led to a revision of the dogma describing natural dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.
I. Kaye Wachsmuth has been recognized for her pioneering work in public health, with a focus on global food safety. She has implemented state-of-the-art microbiology to ensure food safety at home and worldwide.
Lilliam Casillas-Martinez, a Professor at the University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, has been recognized for her exceptional teaching and mentorship of women from low-income backgrounds. Her research focuses on geomicrobiology and metagenomics, with an emphasis on undergraduate education and community outreach.
Dr. Richardson's research focuses on the role of basic bacterial physiology in the virulence of human pathogens, with a particular emphasis on Staphylococcus aureus. His work has shown that certain compounds can be lethal to the pathogen, leading to new insights into the battle between host and bacterium.
Dr. E. Peter Greenberg, a renowned microbiologist, has been recognized for his groundbreaking work on quorum sensing and biofilms. He is also celebrated for his exceptional mentoring skills, inspiring generations of scientists.
Dr. Akiko Iwasaki is recognized for her groundbreaking work on tissue-specific properties of dendritic cells and the critical role of autophagy in innate immune recognition of viruses. Her research has a fundamental impact on the fields of autophagy and antiviral immunity.
Jeff Chen, a University of California, Davis student, has been awarded the Raymond W. Sarber Award for his outstanding research contributions to microbial sciences. Chen's work explores various aspects of microbiology, including yeast genetics and cellular biology.
Brent Barrett, a renowned clinical microbiologist, has been honored with the 2012 Scherago-Rubin Award for his exceptional work in diagnostics and continuing education. Barrett's dedication to bench-level clinical microbiology has gained national recognition, making him a leading expert in his field.
L. Barth Reller, a renowned clinical microbiologist, has been recognized with the 2012 TREK Diagnostic ABMM/ABMLI Professional Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions to the field. He is also an accomplished mentor and trainer of medical microbiologists, having mentored 38 fellows who now hold leadership positions globally.
Stephen J. Giovannoni receives the USFCC/J. Roger Porter Award for his contributions to microbial biodiversity and ecosystem research, particularly in the fields of marine microbiology and SAR11 clade discovery.
LaJoyce Debro has made significant contributions to fostering research training among underrepresented minorities in microbiology. She is recognized for her dedication to mentoring students and promoting diversity in scientific careers.
Aaron R. Jex has made significant contributions to the study of parasitic species, developing molecular-based tools for detection and identification. His research also focuses on exploring the genomics and transcriptomics of parasites of global socioeconomic importance.
Ellen Jo Baron has been recognized with the 2012 ASM Founders Distinguished Service Award for her decades-long commitment to promoting clinical microbiology and ensuring excellence in laboratory practice worldwide. Baron's extensive service includes volunteering with the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services Clinical Laboratory Imp...
Loyola researchers found a molecule called transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) that can amplify the immune response in some cases and suppress it in others. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to regulate the immune system, such as activating it to attack tumor cells or suppressing it to prevent organ rejection.
A University of Alberta research team discovered that ozone-treated water can eradicate infectious proteins from cattle brain matter, providing a potential solution for decontaminating wastewater and sterilizing neurosurgical equipment. This breakthrough technique offers improved prion removal methods in meat processing plants and surg...
A novel oral bacterium, Streptococcus tigurinu, has been linked to serious diseases like heart disease and meningitis. Its identification allows scientists to understand the risk it poses and develop effective treatments.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that electron-beam irradiation can inactivate viruses on leafy greens, reducing the risk of foodborne illness. The research provides quantified data on the reduction in health risks through this technology, which could lead to greater adoption in the fresh produce industry.
The American Society for Microbiology publishes commentaries on the NSABB's biosecurity recommendations, weighing in on whether details of H5N1 virus experiments should be suppressed. Key experts argue over the balance between public health and scientific freedom.
Jennifer Juarez, a UTHealth doctoral student, has been awarded two research fellowships to study the spread of E. coli, a hard-to-treat bacterium that can lead to food poisoning and fatal disease. Her research focuses on understanding how bacterial cells divide and proliferate, paving the way for novel antibacterial treatments.
Jörn Coers is honored by the American Society for Microbiology for his work on immune responses against intracellular pathogens. His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions and has revealed key insights into diseases caused by Chlamydia.
Benjamin P. Howden, a leading expert in S. aureus and E. faecium research, receives the award for his groundbreaking work on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and virulence. His research has led to new insights into vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus and reduced linezolid susceptibility.
Dr. John G. Bartlett has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to antimicrobial chemotherapy and infectious diseases research. He is a pioneer in understanding emerging problems and innovations in the field.
Zachary A. Klase has been awarded the ICAAC Young Investigator Award for his groundbreaking research on HIV-1 pathogenesis and RNA interference mechanisms in mammalian cells. His work focuses on understanding HIV transcription regulation, microRNA processing, and innate immune signaling.
Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim, a leading researcher on infectious diseases at LA BioMed, has been recognized by the American Society for Microbiology for his groundbreaking work on Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly antibiotic-resistant bacterium. The honor acknowledges his contributions to understanding and combatting this threat to public health.
Alison K. Criss, a young investigator at the University of Virginia, receives the ICAAC Young Investigator Award for her outstanding research on bacterial pathogenesis. Her work focuses on the interactions between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and host cells, with implications for understanding bacterial evasion mechanisms.
Andrea Endimiani has been recognized for his groundbreaking research on the impact of drug resistance traits on infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. He has also made significant contributions to understanding the prevalence of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in multiple US cities.
The role of clinical microbiology laboratories is evolving with the increasing availability of sophisticated technologies, which can improve the quality and delivery of services. The tools and changes they bring can substantially enhance patient care by reducing mortality rates from sepsis.
Scientists have successfully tested a bivalent vaccine that protects against both rabies and Ebola in mice, offering a promising solution for Africa's healthcare challenges. The vaccine is built on the same platform as the approved rabies vaccine and has several advantages over existing Ebola candidates.
A type of Archaea, Methanosprillum hungatei, has been found to contain highly efficient energy-storage structures that can store 100-fold more energy than the entire cell. These granules could potentially be used as a chemical battery for engineered synthetic cells.
The American Society for Microbiology warns that globalization is exposing the US food supply to unsanitary practices, particularly in seafood and fresh produce imports. The FDA inspects less than 1% of imported entries annually, highlighting the need for both government verification and industry responsibility.
A team of researchers deployed an observatory system to study microbial life in the ocean crust, revealing a large reservoir of seawater that supports a dynamic ecosystem. The study provides insights into hydrogeology, geochemistry, and microbiology, with potential applications for understanding earthquakes and carbon storage.
Research suggests that probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 can reduce negative effects of AIEC in Crohn's patients, modulating inflammatory immune proteins. The study emphasizes the potential of EcN in IBD treatment and its use as a therapeutic option for CD patients with pathogenic AIEC.
A study from Rhode Island Hospital found a new test for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) to be more accurate, detecting 100% true positives with no false positives. The test was found to be prevalent in women aged 36-45 and 51-60, indicating the need for routine screening for this common sexually transmitted infection.
Researchers cracked the genetic code of a harmful algal bloom species, shedding light on their ability to thrive in polluted ecosystems. The study reveals that HABs have unique genetic functions allowing them to survive in no light and metabolize toxic metals.
A study published in Nature Reviews: Microbiology examines the cellular mechanisms of microbial dormancy and its implications for ecosystems. Dormant microbes can have a significant impact on biodiversity, carbon emissions, and nutrient cycling, making them a key component of ecosystem resilience.
A study published in Journal of Medical Microbiology found that low-temperature plasma was effective in killing drug-resistant bacteria causing wound infections, and increased the rate of wound healing. Plasma therapy may offer a promising method to treat chronic wound infections where other approaches fail.
Researchers identified a new protein (vopE) involved in causing diarrhea and found that the bacteria requires T3SS to cause disease. The study reveals a second pathogenic mechanism used by non-O1, non-O139 strains of Vibrio cholerae.
Researchers found that porous marine particles settle in stratified layers, releasing carbon dioxide through diffusion, affecting global carbon fluxes. This discovery could improve estimates of ocean carbon exports.