Researchers at the Institute of Food Research discovered how Salmonella bacteria synchronize gene expression for invasion. They found that RpoS, DksA and ppGpp work together to coordinate the deployment of SPI1 and SPI2.
John Innes Centre researchers have settled an epigenetic debate by showing that local chromatin holds epigenetic information passed from parent to daughter cells. Their findings, published in eLife, could have wide implications for human cancers and other organisms.
As we age, our gut's immune system regulator IL-6 increases, leading to chronic low-grade inflammation and a weakened barrier, making us more susceptible to infections and diseases.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have discovered plant receptors with built-in decoys that detect pathogens, triggering the plant's defense mechanism. These receptors are designed to trick pathogens into binding with them, which then triggers a shutdown of the cell to contain the pathogen.
Researchers at the Institute of Food Research have visualized the structural changes Clostridium spores undergo during germination, which could help control pathogenic bacteria. The study provides new insights into the genetic controls of spore germination and reveals that spores have polarity that aligns structures correctly.
Researchers found that polyphenols in green tea and apples inhibit VEGF signaling, a key driver of blood vessel formation. This mechanism could help prevent chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer.
A new variety of broccoli, enriched with glucoraphanin, has been shown to reduce blood LDL-cholesterol levels by an average of 6%. The compound is converted into sulphuraphane in the body, which activates genes that help balance metabolism and reduce cholesterol production.
Researchers found that plants aim to flower when the optimal temperature for seed set is approaching, allowing them to adapt to changing climates. This discovery suggests that many flowering plants have different flowering times due to narrow temperature sensitivity windows.
A team of scientists successfully transferred a receptor gene from Arabidopsis to wheat, demonstrating that the signalling pathways are conserved between monocots and dicots. The resulting gene confers durable resistance to bacterial diseases, with potential applications in breeding wheat for improved disease resistance.
Researchers have developed a new high-throughput system to rapidly screen yeasts for producing sustainable biofuels. The technique, in collaboration with the National Collection of Yeast Cultures, aims to find naturally better-performing yeast strains that can boost efficiency and reduce costs.
A recent study by researchers at The Sainsbury Laboratory has shed new light on the evolution of plant diseases using a generalist parasite, Albugo candida. The parasite's ability to suppress host immunity allows it to adapt to different host species and expand its range.
A new methodology called Lasso has been developed to find an evolutionary tree even when some comparisons are missing. The NCYC team evaluated Lasso on their datasets and found it outperformed alternative approaches.
The National Collection of Yeast Cultures has added the 4,000th yeast strain to its collection, including a novel species found in Ecuador's Yasuní National Park. This discovery expands microbial biodiversity and offers new possibilities for sustainable biotechnology.
Gut bacteria produce cephalosporinases that protect themselves and beneficial bacteria from antibiotics, while also giving protection to harmful bacteria. The researchers found genes in Bacteroides bacteria that produce an enzyme destroying certain antibiotics.
Scientists at Institute of Food Research developed a fast and cheap alternative to DNA testing for distinguishing horse meat from beef. The new method uses NMR spectroscopy to analyze the chemical composition of fat in meats, with results available in just ten minutes.
A study found Campylobacter bacteria attach to surfaces and form biofilms when exposed to chicken 'juice'. Cleaning surfaces effectively can help reduce the incidence of Campylobacter, a leading cause of food poisoning in the UK. The research also aims to minimize infected chicken on supermarket shelves.
A two-year project aims to improve Ugandans' diets by increasing high-quality mushroom spawn availability. Researchers will develop a breeding program and indigenous germplasm bank, addressing concerns of soil contamination and introducing spent mushroom compost evaluation.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have found ways to improve the efficiency of turning straw into biofuel. By varying pre-treatment stages, they increased cellulose conversion and sugar yield.
Research discovered that glucose is the major nutrient used by Salmonella bacteria, but it's also able to use other nutrients. This finding informs potential therapeutic interventions to combat Salmonella infections. The study reveals a wealth of strategies employed by Salmonella to overcome host defenses and evade immune systems.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding plant disease resistance by revealing how plant immune receptors interact at an atomic level. The study found that dual-protein recognition systems are crucial for recognizing specific molecules from pathogens and activating defense mechanisms.
Researchers have identified a new yeast species that travels the globe with beetles, offering hope for developing renewable fuels. Preserving biodiversity is crucial to unlock the microbial life's potential solutions to global challenges.
Researchers have made a computer app to spot and decode the unique footprints in yeast DNA, revealing an intricately choreographed dance of ribosomal RNA genes. This discovery enables biologists to track evolutionary relationships between different species using these tiny changes.
Researchers discovered that cells use the cdr2p protein to probe their surface area and determine when to divide. The study challenges previous models suggesting that another protein senses cell length.
Scientists have found a novel way in which plants perceive pathogens to activate immunity, opening the door to improving crop disease resistance. The discovery reveals that phosphorylation of an amino acid called tyrosine is key for activating plant immune receptors.
Researchers have identified a critical enzyme in plants' rapid immune response against microbes, revealing its activation mechanism through the BIK1 protein. This discovery lays the groundwork for future research on plant immunity and disease resistance.
Scientists boosted potato resistance to late blight without deploying fungicides in a three-year GM research trial. The study found non-transgenic plants were 100% infected while GM plants remained fully resistant., The GM technology triggers the plant's natural defense mechanisms, enabling it to recognize and resist the pathogen.
Researchers discovered how gut bacteria produce an enzyme that modifies signaling in cells lining the gut and breaks down phytate, a crucial nutrient. The enzyme is packaged in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) which allow for cross-kingdom communication with human cells, influencing calcium signaling and potentially improving health.
A €85 million program will develop novel antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens with expertise from universities and industry in Europe. Scientists will assess new compounds to determine their potency and molecular basis of action.
Four PhD students will contribute to a £1.4 million research project to combat wheat stripe rust, a major threat to wheat production worldwide. The project aims to develop genetically resistant wheat varieties using genetic diversity in over 650 wheat varieties.
Scientists confirm that the mlo gene, which provides resistance to powdery mildew, also increases susceptibility to Ramularia leaf spot. The research found that this trade-off is most significant in spring barley and can be mitigated by breeding lines resistant to both diseases.
Researchers found that a daily probiotic drink changed how cells in nasal passages reacted to pollen, but not hay fever symptoms. The study suggests a link between the gut microbiota and immune responses in seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Researchers have characterised the coat of a potential poultry probiotic, Lactobacillus johnsonii, which consists of two exopolysaccharides that play important roles in colonisation and adhesion. The unique EPS structures may help the bacteria compete with pathogenic C. perfringens.
A study found that different strains of gut bacteria use mucins in the human gut at varying rates. The ability to break down mucins is linked to specific gene clusters, and these differences can affect which bacteria thrive in the gut. This research may provide new insights into maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Researchers have discovered how plants recognize and respond to bacterial proteins, leading to the development of crops with enhanced immunity. This breakthrough has significant implications for increasing crop yields and improving food quality worldwide.
The UK is tackling the issue of food poisoning caused by Campylobacter coli through a new two-year study funded by the Food Standards Agency. Researchers will analyze 500 genomes from various sources to identify genetic markers that can help track the bacteria's presence in different environments.
Researchers watched genes move together in response to environmental changes, a discovery that could improve understanding of gene expression and its impact on nature. The technique allows scientists to monitor a gene in whole, living organisms, opening up new avenues for research.
Scientists from Norwich BioScience Institute have gathered data to assess the hazards of lower temperature cooking in sous vide, filling a knowledge gap. They propose a way forward to ensure consistent and effective safety assessments, commensurate with any risk to public health.
Dr Lindsay Hall's five-year research project will investigate the establishment of infant gut bacterial communities and their protection against infection. The study aims to explore new probiotic bacteria to restore the microbial community and enhance the body's ability to fight infection.
A new study reveals that changing crop species massively alters the content of microbes in the soil, helping plants acquire nutrients and regulate growth. Soil grown with peas was highly enriched for fungi, while oat and pea cultivation shifted the balance towards protozoa and nematode worms.
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.
Plants perform accurate arithmetic division to adjust their rate of starch consumption, using internal clocks and molecular signals. This calculation helps them prevent starvation and make efficient use of food, with the goal of boosting crop yield.
Researchers found that an antibiotic can trigger its own production, increasing levels by dramatically. This breakthrough could enable faster and more cost-effective production of antibiotics.
Scientists aim to apply plant-inspired principles to develop cutting-edge technology, such as intelligent robots that can adapt to unknown environments. By investigating gene regulatory networks and self-organisation in plants, the team hopes to create more resilient and efficient robot swarms for applications like space exploration.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have developed a new method to breed GM tomatoes with enhanced flavor, health, and shelf life. By introducing a specific compound, they were able to prolong the lives of cancer-prone mice and extend the average shelf life from 21 days to 48 days.
Researchers analyzed the genome of C. botulinum bacteria to understand how they acquired their deadly neurotoxin gene cluster. The study found that the bacteria picked up the cluster in a single event and discovered fragments of other toxin genes, suggesting a 'hotspot' for gene transfer.
NMR spectrometer Pulsar offers affordable and accessible analysis of molecular structure and composition, enabling quality control labs and university teaching centers to utilize the technique.
Plant scientists are exploring membrane transporters to enhance nutrient uptake and water retention in crops, reducing the need for fertilizers and promoting sustainable agriculture. This research aims to create crops that can thrive in challenging conditions, such as saline soils, to meet the world's growing food demands.
Researchers found a hidden polarity map within growing buds that directs cell growth, resulting in the unique shapes of rose petals and leaves. The system provides flexibility for organs to adapt to their environment and develop different functions.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes discovered a novel way in which certain gut bacteria can inactivate Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen. The study found that cell contact between good and bad bacteria is necessary for this process to occur.
Scientists at the John Innes Centre revived a classic heritage barley variety called Chevallier, which has shown valuable disease resistance. The new barley is set to improve beer production by preventing contamination with mycotoxins, leading to better-tasting beers like Porter and India Pale Ale.