Researchers discover 118 new myxobacteria and expand the biodiversity of bacterial active-ingredient producers. The study identifies five new classes of compounds with potential anti-fungal, anti-viral, and antibacterial effects.
Scientists have created a novel antibiotic that targets starved bacteria by blocking energy-coupling factor transporters. The breakthrough offers hope for tackling drug-resistant infections, with promising results in mouse models and no resistant bacterial variants emerging.
Researchers have identified SAILR, a long non-coding RNA, as a key regulator of macrophage survival. In the presence of pathogens, SAILR is rapidly silenced, leading to macrophage death and increased bacterial replication. This discovery could lead to new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for severe infections and inflammation.
Researchers are designing molecules that mimic natural sugar structures to block viral binding proteins, preventing cell infection. Broadly effective therapies against multiple viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses, aim to be developed using this innovative platform.
Researchers have developed an alternative infection model using wax moth larvae to study bacterial pathogens, enabling efficient and ethically acceptable high-throughput testing. The model allows for broad screening of bacterial variants or potential new active compounds in a living organism.
Researchers identified functional differences in Segatella strains from different regions of the world. Genomes of Segatella copri with OxyR showed a hundred to thousand times higher oxygen tolerance than those without, suggesting horizontal gene transfer occurred several thousand years ago.
A new CRISPR tool has been developed to eliminate specific cells based on their RNA signature. The nuclease Cas12a2 can target any RNA sequence with high sensitivity and specificity, making it a promising approach for selectively killing cancer cells, virus-infected cells, and unmodified cells.
A research team at HIRI discovered that CRISPR-Cas13 systems produce an RNA-based 'hairpin' structure to prevent the formation of waste RNAs, known as ecrRNAs. This mechanism optimizes the system's interaction and enhances its efficacy in immune defense and gene editing.
Scientists at HZI have developed a new technique to visualize the complex process of bacterial capsule production. They used cryo-electron microscopy to study the Wza-Wzc transport channel, which is responsible for knitting the sugar cloak that protects bacteria from the environment and immune cells.
Research reveals fire-footed rope squirrels are a natural reservoir for the monkeypox virus, with evidence of interspecies transmission detected in Côte d'Ivoire. The study underscores the need for awareness among humans interacting with wildlife and deeper understanding of MPXV ecology to develop effective prevention measures.
A big data study has identified a specific molecular state of immune cells as associated with the severity of fatigue and respiratory symptoms in Long COVID patients. This finding offers exciting starting points for further research into genetic risk factors and individualised medicine.
Researchers have identified a novel CRISPR mechanism, Cas12a3, that specifically targets transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNA) in bacteria. This discovery provides new insights into the immune response of bacteria and has potential applications for molecular diagnostics and other technologies.
Researchers from HIRI analyzed over 24,000 bacterial genomes to demonstrate that common machine learning methods can lead to biased results. They found that conventional approaches may fail to capture true resistance signals and limit accuracy in new strains.
Researchers at HIPS have fully elucidated the biosynthetic pathway of biphenomycins, a potent antibiotic family against Gram-positive pathogens. They can now produce sufficient quantities and create new variants with improved pharmaceutical properties to combat drug-resistant S. aureus infections.
Researchers at HIPS and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research discovered that tolcapone interacts with LecA protein, a key component of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study identified several derivatives that inhibit LecA significantly more strongly than tolcapone.
A German study using a digital cohort dataset found that twenty percent of participants had unreported polio vaccinations, while forty percent of documented doses were unidentified. The study emphasizes the need for improved vaccine tracking and booster vaccination strategies to ensure effective population protection.
Researchers at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research have identified a new drug candidate, Substance 31, that prevents the production of new proteins in malaria parasites. This approach has the potential to break through existing resistances and develop new therapeutic strategies against malaria infections.
A team of scientists at HIPS has developed a chemo-enzymatic platform to produce large quantities of furanolides, a class of natural products with high structural diversity. The resulting substances have shown promising biological activities against bacterial pathogens and cancer cells.
Researchers developed a novel genome editing approach called 'append editing' by mimicking the natural bacterial defense system against viruses. This method enables precise genetic modifications in bacteria, plants, and human cells with high accuracy and minimal disruption.
Researchers develop RNA-based molecular tool to interfere with phage replication, allowing for targeted therapy against bacterial pathogens. The approach has potential applications in treating infections caused by hospital germs like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Researchers are exploring the therapeutic potential of phage-based treatments, focusing on RNA phages that can hijack bacterial cell machinery and produce new phages. This study aims to elucidate the unique lifestyle of RNA phages and develop novel biotechnological tools for treating multi-resistant bacteria.
A big data study using multi-omics data from over 1,300 people with HIV has identified key molecular players causing non-AIDS-related comorbidities. The research reveals a range of previously hidden molecular patterns and players associated with various comorbidities.
Scientists create a way to eliminate harmful bacteria from the gut to prevent infections by using beneficial bacteria as an alternative. The approach has shown promising results in laboratory tests and mouse models.
A study by HZI researchers showed that specific strains of E. coli can displace multi-resistant bacteria from the gut, potentially preventing infections and containing their spread. The strains, which were tested in a mouse model, also proved effective against other resistant strains when combined with Klebsiella oxytoca.
Researchers have discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can functionally organize itself into diverse populations using epigenetic memory. This diversification allows the pathogen to adapt to changing conditions in the human body and evade the immune system, making infections difficult to treat.
Researchers developed organoids from Egyptian fruit bats' respiratory and intestinal tissue, showcasing a significantly higher baseline antiviral immune activity. These organoids demonstrated an exceptionally strong production of type III interferons, which played a crucial role in mucosal antiviral immunity.
Scientists have developed a universal protocol to investigate how viruses interact with host cells, revealing a cascade of cellular reactions triggered by contact between the virus and cell surface. This breakthrough provides insights into the biology of influenza viruses and identifies potential targets for antiviral therapies.
Scientists at HIRI develop peptide nucleic acid-based compound FUS79, which inhibits Fusobacterium nucleatum growth and exhibits strong activity against five fusobacterial strains without affecting other bacteria. This breakthrough has potential to accelerate research in targeted antibiotics for cancer treatment.
A new class of agents has been developed to inhibit hospital germs, particularly targeting the toxin α-hemolysin produced by Staphylococcus aureus. The compound H052 showed high effectiveness in cell culture and animal models, increasing survival rates in infected mice.
A study published in Nature Aging used an AI-based computer model to analyze the aging process of immune cells. The researchers found that specific genes are involved in aging processes and can be used as markers for different immune cell types, revealing new insights into cellular aging.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which bacteria defend against CRISPR-Cas systems, and how phages counter these defenses. This discovery holds potential to enhance the safety and precision of CRISPR-based technologies.
Researchers developed a new approach to quickly identify mutations that enable viral immune escape. By analyzing the effects of individual mutations in reverse, they found three key mutations in the spike protein responsible for immune evasion.
The COMBINE project focuses on the critical virus-cell binding step, aiming to identify key factors and potential therapeutic targets involved early in viral infections. The team will use a combination of pioneering approaches to develop novel inhibitors and vaccine candidates.
HIV-1 uses 'hidden gene fragments' called uORFs and iORFs to fine-tune protein production and interact with the host immune system. The virus also manipulates ribosome collisions to prioritize its own needs while stalling host defense mechanisms.
Researchers have discovered a new target for antibiotics, the methylerythritol phosphate pathway, which is essential for bacteria's energy metabolism. By blocking this pathway, bacteria can be killed without affecting human cells.
Scientists at HIRI have made significant progress through a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, revealing a complex RNA-based regulatory circuit governing PUL expression in B. thetaiotaomicron.
Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research have developed ACTIMOT, a genetic method that amplifies and isolates biosynthetic gene clusters from bacteria to produce new bioactive natural products. The approach enables faster and easier access to previously hidden pharmaceutical potential.
Researchers develop click-to-release technique to activate colistin in targeted manner, killing bacteria without harming kidneys. The approach reduces side effects and makes antibiotics more tolerable for patients.
A team of researchers has identified numerous bacteria with potential therapeutic applications, including those related to respiratory diseases. By analyzing the microbiome of humans and animals, they have discovered genetic blueprints for natural products that could be used to develop new medications.
Researchers at HIRI and THWS develop a desktop application to visualize scRNA-seq data, enabling interactive 3D exploration of gene expression in single cells. The tool allows users to focus on specific cell populations or genes of interest, facilitating better understanding of bacterial defenses against antibiotics.
A team of scientists has created a 3D-printed model of human hair follicles to test new treatments against hair follicle infections. The model, which replicates the natural environment of hair follicles, allows for early-stage testing of drug candidates without animal testing.
Researchers have developed a new method called PUMA that uses CRISPR-Cas12 nucleases to detect RNA biomarkers. This technology overcomes limitations of existing methods by reprogramming tracrRNAs to recognize specific RNA targets, enabling precise detection without requiring a specific recognition sequence.
Scientists have introduced a novel approach to recreate bacterial methylation patterns, enhancing DNA transformation. This enables the genetic modification of pathogenic bacteria and probiotics, leading to potential new antibiotics and cell-based therapies.
Researchers discovered that Klebsiella oxytoca bacteria compete with salmonella for nutrients, employing multiple strategies to combat the spread of the infection. The bacteria also produce a toxin that has anti-salmonella effects, which may be harnessed to develop new treatments.
A study analyzed gene patterns of over 1,000 Lyme disease patients and identified a special gene variant associated with the disease. This genetic predisposition leads to reduced anti-inflammatory processes, fewer antibodies against Borrelia, and increased disease duration.
Researchers developed a novel statistical approach to accurately estimate RNA decay rates, finding that bacterial RNAs have significantly shorter half-lives than previously thought. This discovery has implications for understanding gene expression and protein production in bacteria.
A research team identified a specific regulatory RNA molecule that influences the bacterium's sensitivity to tetracycline antibiotics, providing new insights into bacterial adaptation and informing strategies for preventing collateral damage to beneficial bacteria.
Research suggests a positive association between high diversity of gut bacteria, Segatella species, and cardiovascular health. Men who have sex with men tend to have higher bacterial diversity, which may be linked to their microbiome being more similar to non-Westernized populations.
Scientists at Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research developed a new method called SHIFTR, enabling the discovery of interactions between specific RNA regions and proteins in live cells. This breakthrough has shed light on SARS-CoV-2 replication and identified potential targets for innovative antiviral therapies.
Researchers from HIRI have developed a new machine learning approach using data integration and AI to improve predictions of CRISPRi efficacy, revealing that gene features matter more than guide RNA itself. The study provides valuable insights for designing effective CRISPRi experiments.