Researchers have identified commensal bacteria that produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. The discovery suggests that certain intestinal bacteria may play a role in preventing or treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease.
Researchers found high levels of bacterial contamination on hotel room surfaces, including TV remotes and bedside lamp switches, posing a risk to guest health, especially for immunocompromised individuals. Housekeeping carts were also found to be contaminated, highlighting the need for standardization in hotel cleaning practices.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Bruce S. Rabin has made significant contributions to the understanding of the immune system's interaction with the nervous system, endocrine organs, and mental health. He has elucidated many dark corners of immunology and brought sound immunologic principles to the study of mental health and disease in humans.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sandeep Kishore has been recognized for his groundbreaking research on malaria parasites and his efforts to integrate basic sciences and public health perspectives in global health. He developed an open-source curriculum on neglected diseases, which has evolved into a longitudinal four-year program with full administrative support.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that MRSA strain CC5 is adept at acquiring resistance genes, including the one making it resistant to vancomycin, by co-existing with other bacteria. The strain's unique traits, such as lacking bacteriocin production and producing enterotoxins, enable it to thrive in mixed infections.
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...
A new method to control a heat-loving microbe has been discovered, enabling its use as a miniature factory for producing biofuels and other materials. By inserting a gene from another organism into the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus, researchers can switch on lactate production at lower temperatures.
The number of retractions in scientific journals has increased by over 10-fold in the past decade, driven by economic incentives and a hypercompetitive environment. This trend is seen as a symptom of a growing dysfunction in biomedical research, with researchers feeling pressure to publish in high-profile journals to secure funding.
The Black Queen Hypothesis suggests that microbes can lose necessary functions and rely on others to do the work, enabling cooperation in communities. Prochlorococcus plankton species, studied by the authors, is an example of this adaptation.
A CDC study reveals a significant increase in foodborne disease outbreaks linked to imported foods between 2009 and 2010. Fish and spices were the most common sources of these outbreaks, with nearly half coming from Asia. The study highlights the growing global nature of the US food supply, exposing consumers to new pathogens.
The number of US deaths from gastroenteritis increased by 10,000 over eight years, with adults over 65 accounting for most deaths. C. difficile and norovirus were the top infectious causes, with a five-fold increase in C. difficile deaths.
A study found that smartphone-based data collection was more accurate than traditional paper methods, with fewer errors and faster turnaround times. The method also saved resources and reduced costs, making it a promising tool for disease surveillance in the developing world.
Two experts argue different views on balancing biosecurity and potentially life-saving research for H5N1 viruses. Adolfo García-Sastre advocates for enhanced BSL-3 facilities to prevent human exposure while Michael Hanna suggests BSL-4 containment due to vaccine limitations and potential for rapid spread.
A new study in mBio reveals that microbes thriving on hot fluid methane and sulfur are replaced by those feeding on solid iron and sulfur when deep-sea vents go dormant. Researchers also explore genomic sequencing data to aid rapid detection of hospital-acquired infections caused by enterococci bacteria.
A study found that a strain of MRSA bacteria acquired resistance to antibiotics on farms and can now infect humans. The researchers sequenced the genomes of 88 different S. aureus isolates and found that the MRSA strain ST398 likely evolved from an antibiotic-sensitive human strain.
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.
Researchers found that autistic children with gastrointestinal problems harbor a specific type of bacteria, Sutterella, which is not detected in non-autistic children. The study used tissue samples from the guts of patients and suggests that these differences may play a role in the development of autism.
A recent study in the journal mBio challenges the unique E. coli protein YfeX's role in iron acquisition, finding it lacks catalytic ability to dechelate iron from heme. Meanwhile, researchers discover an unprecedented level of transference of resistance among strains and species of bacteria via plasmids containing carbapenemase genes.
A new study found that mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays a key role in targeting and destroying dengue viruses. Individuals with high levels of MBL may be better equipped to fight off the disease. This discovery could lead to the development of antivirals and vaccines to boost the immune response.
A study by Heather Allen and colleagues reveals that antibiotics in swine feed stimulate gene transfer among gut bacteria, increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance. The researchers found that prophages, segments of DNA encoding antibiotic resistance genes, underwent significant increases in induction when exposed to antibiotics.
Antibodies have been found to trick certain bacteria into killing each other, providing a new mechanism for bacterial clearance. Additionally, researchers suggest that humoral immunity may play a role in eliminating old seasonal influenza virus strains by inducing an anti-stalk antibody response.
Researchers discovered a key enzyme, IreK, involved in resistance to cephalosporins, while another enzyme, IreP, regulates its activity. This understanding could lead to new strategies for controlling enterococcal infections and developing new treatments.
A new study reveals that antivirulence drugs can suppress resistance in pathogens by targeting social interactions and cooperation. Laboratory simulations showed that resistant strains will not overtake sensitive strains when therapies target cell-to-cell communication, allowing antivirulence therapies to work even when resistance arises.
A study reveals a vast world of unseen viral diversity in raw sewage, home to thousands of novel and undiscovered viruses. The research detected genetic signatures from 234 known viruses, but the majority belong to unknown viruses that may play roles in human health and environmental processes.
A study published in mBio reveals that the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu virus causes more extensive damage to lung tissues than seasonal flu, making it more susceptible to bacterial infections like pneumonia. This damage compromises the protective epithelial cells, allowing bacteria to thrive and increase mortality.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.