Articles tagged with Bacteriophages
Researchers at UCSF have discovered how a unique type of virus called a jumbo phage protects itself inside bacteria. The shield works via a set of secret handshakes that allow only useful proteins to pass through, giving the phage an advantage over regular phages when fighting infections.
A new genomic toolkit called Sphae has been developed to quickly assess the suitability of phage therapy for treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. The platform can analyze vast datasets in under 10 minutes, prioritizing safety and flagging genes associated with toxins or undesirable traits.
New research reveals that certain antibiotics can suppress the evolution of resistance to phages in E. coli bacteria by targeting a subset of LPS mutants. By modulating these mutants, antibiotics like chloramphenicol and gentamicin reduce phage resistance.
Researchers at Indiana University found that bacteria secrete molecules, like coelechelin, which weaken competitors' immune systems and increase their vulnerability to phage infection. This discovery highlights the potential of phage-chemical combinations in treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
A recent study found that multiple phage species can coexist stably on a genetically uniform strain of E. coli in the human gut. The researchers discovered that each phage species prefers slower or faster growing cells, allowing them to find a separate niche and maintain stable coexistence.
Three Texas A&M biologists have received NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Awards to support their research on type IV pili, darter fish social behaviors and bacteriophages. Drs Koch, Moran and Ramsey will explore bacterial behavior, genetic mechanisms and neural basis of paternal care in fish.
A new test developed by McMaster University uses bacteriophages to detect bacteria in fluids such as water, urine, or milk. The test produces quick results within hours, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing diseases and ensuring food safety.
Researchers developed an artificial intelligence model that selects the best phage cocktail for a given patient based on their genome. The model was tested on a new collection of E. coli strains responsible for pneumonia and showed high success rates.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen aims to replace fecal capsules with a standardized treatment using fermented feces. The method employs fermentation to cultivate beneficial microorganisms, producing a complex mixture of bacteria and bacteriophages that can fight gastrointestinal disorders.
Researchers have discovered a new type of CRISPR chemistry that floods infected cells with toxic molecules and shuts down activity, preventing viruses from spreading. The discovery sheds light on the complex mechanisms of CRISPR systems and their potential applications as diagnostic tools for infection.
The study describes the full molecular structure of the phage DEV, which infects and lysates Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The researchers discovered a genome ejection motor that pulls the DNA out of its head after infection, with conserved design principles across all Schitoviridae phages.
A group of McMaster researchers have discovered that phages can form into three-dimensional flower-like shapes, making them 100 times more efficient at finding bacterial targets. This breakthrough has significant implications for the detection and treatment of diseases, as it enables the creation of novel antimicrobial materials.
Researchers discovered an extremely diverse collection of viruses on toothbrushes and showerheads, including previously unknown species. These bacteriophages target bacteria, not humans, and have potential uses in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a diverse range of retrons that can edit DNA more quickly and efficiently than current methods, including CRISPR. The new retrons showed high editing rates in both bacteria and human cells, with some performing 10-fold better than the gold-standard retron.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have developed a streamlined way to engineer bacteriophages, viruses that naturally kill bacteria. The new technique uses retrons to edit phage genomes, allowing for the creation of numerous variants and paving the way for alternative treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers used advanced techniques to study phage infection at the level of individual bacterial cells. They found that coinfecting phages impede each other's entry, perturbing the cell's electrophysiology and affecting the outcome of infection. This discovery opens a new avenue for research in bacterial electrophysiology.
Scientists have developed a user-friendly system to quickly match specific infections to the phages that can stop them. The new technology combines a biobank and testing lab in one small package, enabling phages to be stored at room temperature for months, making them more accessible to patients who need them.
A team of researchers led by Professor Peter Fineran from the University of Otago discovered a novel regulatory mechanism in a protein used by phages to deploy anti-CRISPR. This finding has significant implications for understanding gene regulation and developing new antimicrobial therapies.
Researchers discovered that phage viruses have weaponized mobile introns to sabotage competing viruses' reproduction. This finding has significant implications for understanding the evolution of genomes and developing effective phage therapy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers have discovered that plant bacterial pathogens can acquire and repurpose elements of phages to wipe out competing microbes, potentially providing an alternative to antibiotics. This finding suggests that phage-derived elements called tailocins could be harnessed to target specific strains of bacteria.
Researchers discovered that Streptomyces davawensis produces virus-like particles facilitating host reproduction. The particles contain an enzyme degrading genomic DNA, allowing for extracellular DNA release and scaffold creation. This finding reveals the exploitation mechanism of virus-related nanoparticles for bacterial proliferation.
A new study demonstrates personalized phage therapy's effectiveness in treating antibiotic-resistant infections in animals, with a case of a cat healing from a persistent wound. The treatment combines a specific anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage with ceftazidime, achieving full healing after 14 weeks.
Research reveals phages infecting SAR11 bacteria, causing massive cell death and creation of 'zombie' cells. These cells, lacking ribosomes, are thought to be recycled for new phage DNA production, highlighting the importance of microbial interactions in the ocean.
A new Dartmouth-led study has provided new insights into the therapeutic potential of bacteriophage therapy for treating diseases like cystic fibrosis. Researchers found that respiratory epithelial cells sense and respond to therapeutic phages, and interactions between phages and epithelial cells are heterogenous in nature.
F. William Studier, a senior biophysicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, has won the 2024 Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology for his T7 expression technology, enabling large-scale production of RNA and proteins for biomedical research and pharmaceuticals. His work has saved millions of lives with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
Researchers created GraSSRep and rhea, tools that outperform current methods for handling repeats and structural variants in metagenomic data. These methods use self-supervised learning and graph neural networks to analyze microbiome data, offering new insights into biological processes and potential applications in antibiotic resistance.
Scientists identify crucial protein PicA in jumbo phages that selectively transport proteins to replicate inside bacteria. This discovery sheds light on the complex biological makeup and mechanisms within these mysterious viruses.
Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso have identified a novel approach using bacteriophages, viruses that target specific bacteria, to treat produced water generated by fracking. This method has shown promise in laboratory settings, achieving the inactivation of two prominent bacteria found in wastewater, Pseudomonas aerugi...
Researchers are developing CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology to modify and attack AMR bacteria, offering new tools to battle the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance. By targeting specific genes and using phage-based delivery systems, scientists aim to develop safer therapies.
Researchers identified a complex of two proteins called Gabija that enhances the blockage of phage replication in bacteria. The study found that one protein alone can disable a phage's DNA, but the complex formed with its partner protein is more effective at preventing phage takeover.
Therapeutic phages can detect epithelial cells of the human respiratory tract, eliciting proinflammatory responses. Specific phage properties and airway microenvironment influence these responses.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a lysin from a bacteriophage that targets Staphylococcus hominis, a key contributor to body odor. The study's results could lead to a new treatment option for axillary odors, a common dermatological disorder.
Scientists have identified a consistent signature of multiple sclerosis in the blood of patients years before they develop symptoms. The discovery, published in Nature Medicine, could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease, affecting nearly 1 million people in the US.
Phage researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research elucidate precise mechanisms by which phages disable bacteria. The study reveals how a specific phage called PP7 infects Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to the pilus's detachment and reduced bacterial capacity for infection.
Researchers at ADA Forsyth Institute discovered a new phage resistance mechanism in the oral microbiome, where ultrasmall bacterial parasites, called Saccharibacteria or TM7, help their host bacteria resist lytic phages. This dynamic ecosystem promotes coexistence between antagonistic organisms.
Researchers discovered that tiny RNA molecules play a decisive role in the complex interaction of attack and defence strategies when bacteria are infected with bacteriophages. The study found that these RNA molecules regulate phage genes as well as host genes, effectively explaining the destruction of bacterial cells.
Researchers at Butantan Institute used phage display to screen 12,000 proteins from Schistosoma mansoni, identifying key parasite peptides targeted by macaque antibodies. This approach has potential for developing candidate vaccines against the disease.
Researchers deciphered a novel process helping viruses choose to be nasty or friendly to their host bacteria. Phages use the bacterial immune system to make decisions, activating violent mode when necessary.
A computational model of the more than 26 million atoms in a DNA-packed viral capsid has expanded our understanding of virus structure and DNA dynamics. The study found that the DNA formed switchback loops as it was pushed into the capsid, similar to how DNA is organized in eukaryotic cells.
Scientists discovered that bacteria form partnerships between different defence systems to create a formidable force against phage viruses. This discovery could lead to new strategies for combating antimicrobial resistance and developing phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics.
A new study describes phage therapy as a game-changing solution to combat multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Researchers found that sequential administration of phages and antibiotics can clear infection and re-sensitize bacteria to antibiotics.
Researchers use bacteriophages to target and kill drug-resistant bacteria, with a patient experiencing complete resolution of infection after combination therapy. However, immune response may lead to recurrence, highlighting need for further clinical trials.
Researchers have identified macrophages, immune cells that gobble up foreign substances, in the pleural cavity around the lungs. These cells play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and disease during flu infections.
Northwestern University researchers successfully engineered a virus to destroy itself from the inside out, killing a deadly bacterium. The study represents a critical step towards creating new therapies to treat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified a virus called Paride that can infect and destroy dormant bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study found that the combination of Paride and an antibiotic called meropenem was effective in killing bacteria in both laboratory cultures and mice with chronic infections.
Phages invest in sensing bacteria and phage abundance to choose between lytic and lysogenic life cycles. A 50% growth rate penalty allows lysogenic phages to outcompete those without sensory abilities.
Researchers found that specific microbes in the gut reduce graft versus host disease after stem cell transplantation. Patients with low microbial metabolite risk index had better survival rates, fewer graft vs. host reactions, and reduced relapses.
A new bioinformatics software program, Phables, has been released to find bacteriophages through more accurate genome sequencing. This tool can identify and characterize phages with up to 49% more complete genomes compared to existing viral identification tools.
Scientists discovered that a bacterial defense system can induce self-destruction when bound to specific proteins, marking a new phenomenon in enzymatic function. This switch allows the bacteria to eliminate a vital molecule needed for survival, ultimately leading to their demise.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen discovered that phages use small RNAs to disarm bacterial CRISPR-Cas immune systems, making them vulnerable to infection. This finding has significant implications for phage therapy and could lead to more specific and controlled CRISPR-Cas treatments.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered that bacteria sense phages via the CBASS system, which detects viral RNA to initiate an immune response. This finding may help counter antibiotic resistance. The discovery sheds light on how core immune functions are shared across distantly related domains of life.
A new study has identified three novel viruses that target specific bacterial hosts in the human gut, paving the way for more effective phage therapy to combat antimicrobial resistance. The discovery could lead to new methods of improving gut health and metabolism.
Scientists observe rapid evolutionary changes in bacteria and viruses, leading to the emergence of complex ecological patterns. The study reveals nestedness and modularity as two prominent repeating patterns in bacterial-phage interactions.
Mammalian cells consume bacteriophages, killing bacteria and promoting cellular growth and survival. The study suggests that phage particles serve as a nutritionally enriched resource, triggering signaling pathway events that enhance cellular health.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which phages evade CRISPR-Cas immune systems in bacteria, revealing a potential approach to make gene editing safer and more efficient. This discovery could lead to the development of bespoke anti-CRISPRs to neutralize CRISPR-Cas systems and provide an alternative to antibiotics.
Pioneering work on bacteriophages to combat disease has received an £800,000 boost from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. The grant will advance production of phages to combat disease in the veterinary field and bring them to market.
Researchers have identified viral components of the skin's microbiome that drive the development of innovative therapies for atopic dermatitis. Bacteriophages, or 'bacteria eaters', were found to help certain bacteria grow faster in AD patients, contributing to the overpopulation of the skin microbiome.
A newly discovered virus has been isolated from deep-sea sediment, providing insights into the diversity and evolution of viruses in extreme environments. The bacteriophage, which infects bacteria in the phylum Halomonas, is believed to be one of the most abundant life forms on the planet.
A University of Barcelona team has identified 25 new viruses in Barcelona's wastewaters, including the crAssBcn phage, which is specific to human intestinal tract bacteria. The discovery expands the global map of Crassvirales viruses and suggests they may play a regulatory role in human intestinal microbiota.
Researchers used phage PASA16 to treat tough Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, achieving an impressive 86.6% success rate. The study demonstrated the potential effectiveness of phage therapy as a valuable alternative to conventional antibiotics in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens.