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ERC Advanced Grant for Thomas Rudel

Professor Thomas Rudel received a €2.5 million ERC Advanced Grant to study how Chlamydia evades the human immune system and cause chronic diseases like cervical cancer. The grant aims to develop new therapies to overcome this 'blindness' and improve treatment outcomes for Chlamydia infections.

Blockade at the receptor

Researchers found that Chlamydia trachomatis deactivates immune cells by activating a protein that cleaves key receptors, allowing the bacterium to evade detection. This discovery holds promise for developing targeted therapies against Chlamydia infections.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJun 26, 2018

Scientists identify immune cascade that fuels complications, tissue damage in chlamydia infections

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have unraveled the immune cascade driving complications and tissue damage in chlamydia infections. The study reveals two distinct immune pathways: one clearing bacteria and another fueling inflammation, offering a roadmap for vaccine development and precision-targeted treatments.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2018

Judging a 'clean face' for trachoma

Researchers trained staff in Tanzania to assess facial cleanliness and found reliable measures of clean faces. These findings suggest adding facial cleanliness assessments to trachoma surveys in developing countries where the infection is a public health problem.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateNov 30, 2017

STD treatment for 2?

Researchers found that disease incidence in states with prohibitive EPT legislation grew significantly faster than in states where EPT was allowed. States with EPT laws may see reduced rates of chlamydia infections, with an average increase of 14.1 cases per 100,000 people.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·DateJun 2, 2017

Chlamydia: How bacteria take over control

Researchers from the University of Würzburg discovered that Chlamydia trachomatis influences mitochondria to prevent programmed cell death, allowing the bacteria to replicate. The study found that miR-30c-5p microRNA is increased in infected cells, downregulating tumor suppressor protein p53 and promoting mitochondrial division

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 28, 2017

Genomic sequencing reveals link between STIs and leading cause of infectious blindness

A study published in Nature Communications has discovered that genes can move from chlamydia strains in the eye to sexually transmitted strains, allowing them to infect the eye and cause Trachoma. This revelation challenges previous beliefs about Chlamydia evolution and highlights the potential for new variant Trachoma strains to emerge.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 25, 2016

New test detects chlamydia in 30 minutes

The Atlas io system uses DNA probes with bespoke electrochemical tags to detect infectious diseases in less than 30 minutes. This technology has significant benefits over existing diagnostic tests, allowing for faster results and potentially reducing the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Safeguarding against chlamydia

A new vaccine has been developed that generates double protection against chlamydia by teaching the immune system to recognize and remember the bacteria as a threat. The vaccine uses charge-switching synthetic adjuvant nanoparticles to bind to the bacteria, targeting mucosal surfaces and inducing an immune response.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateJun 18, 2015

New clues behind the resilience of a leading sexually transmitted pathogen, Chlamydia

Researchers have uncovered how chlamydia, a leading sexually transmitted pathogen, has evolved to evade its hosts through genomic shuffling and adaptation. The study found extensive genetic variation between chlamydia families, highlighting the importance of understanding this diversity for developing new therapeutics.

Chlamydia promotes gene mutations

Researchers at Max Planck Institute discover Chlamydia promotes gene mutations, impairing DNA damage response and leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The infection can cause chronic damage, increasing risk of cervical and ovarian cancer.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJun 20, 2013

Chlamydia utilizes Trojan horse tactics to infect cells

Researchers identified a novel mechanism where Chlamydia trachomatis tricks host cells into taking up the bacteria by coating itself with a growth factor made by the cells. This disguise creates a positive feedback loop, enabling bacterial infection and spread.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateOct 6, 2011

Newly designed molecule blocks chlamydia bacteria

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a molecule that blocks the damaging actions of Chlamydia by disarming its self-defense mechanisms. The therapy will disarm CPAF, a central weapon of Chlamydia, allowing the body to take care of the rest and ultimately lead to the death of the infected cell and the bacteria.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJul 20, 2011