Going viral to kill zits
Researchers find harmless virus living on skin that naturally targets and kills Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, a major trigger of acne. The discovery offers promising new hope for developing targeted anti-acne therapies.
Bacteriophages
Articles tagged with Bacteriophages
Gut microbes battle a common set of viruses shared by global populations
Researchers have identified a set of viruses shared among individuals from different parts of the world, which target the gut microbiota. The study found that nearly 80% of these viruses are common to two or more individuals, suggesting a global reservoir of phages attacking our gut bacteria.
Using viruses to beat superbugs
Researchers are revisiting bacteriophages as antibacterial agents to combat growing antibiotic resistance. Effective against high bacterial loads, these viruses can target specific bacterial strains without infecting human cells.
Cholera's nano-dagger
New research uses imaging techniques to observe how Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, kills off its rivals using a spring-loaded poison dagger. The study reveals the Type 6 secretion system's role in this process and has implications for understanding bacterial virulence and potential drug targets.
New laboratory method uses mass spectrometry to rapidly detect staph infections
Researchers developed a rapid test using mass spectrometry to identify Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium causing staph infections. The test can detect low concentrations of bacteria in just a few hours, reducing manual labor and subjective interpretation.
Researchers reveal SBP8a configurations
A new study reveals four distinct configurations of the SBP8a bacteriophage, showing its ability to penetrate anthrax cells and control DNA flow. The discovery provides an initial blueprint for modifying the phage into a detection tool for anthrax and other bioterror agents.
Meta-analysis reveals patterns of bacteria-virus infection networks
A meta-analysis of bacterial-virus interactions reveals a nested structure, with hard-to-infect bacteria infected by generalist viruses and easy-to-infect bacteria attacked by both generalist and specialist viruses. This discovery could improve predictions of microbial population dynamics and community assembly.
Phage hunting students publish in PLoS ONE
Twelve Washington University students isolated and characterized 18 novel phages, including two from St. Louis, in a research project supported by the Science Education Alliance. The findings provide insights into genome architecture and evolution of mycobacteriophages.
Spin-out to apply new technology for tackling infection
A new company, Fixed Phage Limited, has been launched to commercialize technology developed at the University of Strathclyde to tackle bacterial infections and contamination. The technology uses bacteriophages, naturally occurring viruses that are non-toxic but effective against bacteria.
Rice study examines how bacteria acquire immunity
Rice University scientists analyze how bacteria acquire immunity from disease through the CRISPR system, which uses RNA interference to silence viral genes. The study's findings have implications for biotechnology and drug development.
Pitt's education of aspiring undergrad, high school biologists rewarded with $2 million
The University of Pittsburgh has received a total of $2 million in grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to support its precollege and undergraduate science education initiatives. The four-year grants will fund academic programs that encourage high school and undergraduate students to engage in active research, fosteri...
Texas A&M researchers examine how viruses destroy bacteria
Researchers at Texas A&M University discovered that phages, a type of virus, can destroy bacterial cell walls by producing an enzyme called endolysin. This finding may aid in the development of phage therapy to treat bacterial infections.
Texas A&M researchers examine 'invading' bacteria in DNA
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found that certain types of bacteria integrate invading DNA into their genetic makeup to increase their chances of survival. This process allows the bacteria to produce diverse progeny, which is essential for dispersal and adaptation to new environments.
NYU scientists discover dangerous new method for bacterial toxin transfer
NYU researchers found that Staphylococcus aureus can co-opt bacteriophages to transfer toxic genes to unrelated bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes. This discovery raises concerns about the potential for bacterial toxin exchange and antibiotic resistance.
Toothpick: New molecular tag IDs bone and tooth minerals
Researchers at NIST have identified a small biomolecule that binds specifically to hydroxyapatite, the key crystal structure of teeth and bones. This new peptide can be used as a nondestructive tag to monitor bone and tooth mineralization.
Biologists surprised to find parochial bacterial viruses
Researchers found that viruses infecting bacteria in the region are unrelated to their counterparts globally, with only 5% shared DNA sequences. This contradicts previous studies suggesting widespread dispersal and uniformity of viral genotypes worldwide.
New viruses to treat bacterial diseases -- 'My enemies' enemy is my friend'
Scientists discover new viruses that target specific types of bacteria, offering an alternative to conventional antibiotic therapy. The approach has potential to combat antibiotic resistance and superbug infections such as MRSA.
MIT, BU team builds viruses to combat harmful 'biofilms'
MIT and BU researchers develop modular system to design phages targeting specific bacterial biofilms, achieving high success rates. The technology has potential applications in treating infections and cleaning products.
Success comes at a cost, even for phages
Researchers De Paepe and Taddei found that bacteriophages exhibit life history trade-offs between survival and reproduction, with rapid reproducers suffering higher casualties outside the host. Two physical parameters account for most of the observed variation in survival, suggesting a fundamental property of evolving entities.
How to 'infect' students with a love of science
Researchers developed a phage-genomics educational platform, attracting high school and undergraduate students to scientific discovery. The study found that simplicity, flexibility, and ownership are key attributes of an effective science program.
HHMI professor's phage-hunters strike pay dirt
Researchers catalogued and characterized 30 mycobacteriophages, finding 3,357 genes in 1,536 'phamilies' with significant genetic diversity. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy.
Quantum dot method rapidly identifies bacteria
A new method for identifying bacteria uses genetically engineered phages that infect target bacteria, releasing biotin-capped phage progeny attached to quantum dots. The resulting phage-quantum dot complexes can be detected and counted using microscopy or spectroscopy, allowing for rapid identification of bacteria.
Viral, gold nanoparticles can assemble themselves to potentially find and treat disease
Researchers have developed a 'nanoshuttle' that uses viral particles to precisely home to disease, where it can perform various functions such as destroying tissue or emitting signals. The system has the potential to deliver stem cells to damaged areas, potentially treating heart disease and cancer.
UCSD discovery may provide novel method to generate medically useful proteins
A team of UCSD biochemists has discovered a mechanism for generating 10 trillion varieties of a single protein, providing a new tool for developing novel drugs. This finding, published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, uses the genetic mechanism used by a virus that infects bacteria to create a kaleidoscope of variants.
Anthrax test, developed by army and CDC, receives FDA approval
The US Army's Gamma Phage Assay has been approved by the FDA for human use within the Laboratory Response Network (LRN), enabling early detection of anthrax bioterrorism threats. This test, developed with CDC support, is a classical bacteriological method that uses a virus to identify B. anthracis.
Virus-host interactions at sea effect global photosynthesis
Three marine phages, sequenced from cyanobacteria in low-nutrient oceans, exhibit genes adapted for infecting photosynthetic bacteria. These genes may help the host maintain photosynthesis during infection, and could influence phage ecology and range.
Scientists find viruses can't stick to sea bugs in the dark
Researchers found that marine viruses, known as cyanophages, require light to attach to and infect cyanobacteria, which are crucial for ocean health. This discovery could lead to more effective methods of controlling harmful algal blooms in the environment.
Basis for DNA ejection from single phage particles
Phage nucleic acid transport poses a fascinating biophysical problem. Researchers used fluorescently labeled phage DNA to investigate the dynamics of DNA ejection from single phages, demonstrating that release is not an all-or-none process but rather a complex and stepwise process.
'Smart antibiotics' may result from UCLA research
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a new mechanism in bacteriophages that allows them to rapidly evolve new variants to target bacterial resistance. This discovery has the potential to create
Scientists discover potential new way to control drug-resistant bacteria
Researchers found that bacteriophages can rapidly evolve new variants to target resistant bacteria, opening up possibilities for developing dynamic anti-microbial agents. The discovery could provide a renewable resource of smart antibiotics for treating bacterial diseases.
Bacteriophage genomics approach to antimicrobial drug discovery published in Nature Biotechnology
Researchers identified 31 novel polypeptide families that inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth when expressed in bacteria. They used phage genomics to screen for small molecule inhibitors and found several compounds that inhibited bacterial growth and DNA synthesis.
Advance in developing biological strategies to produce hydrogen and sequester carbon dioxide
Scientists have successfully synthesized a bacteriophage genome, paving the way for larger microbes to consume CO2 and pollutants. The Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives aims to harness microbiomes to produce fuels and reduce atmospheric carbon emissions.
Phages point the way to novel targets for antimicrobial drug discovery
Researchers at PhageTech identified phage-derived antimicrobial proteins that inhibit bacterial growth and kill bacteria in diverse ways. The company's technology platform has led to the discovery of novel bacterial targets essential to bacterial growth, which are being screened for small molecule compounds as potential new antibiotics.
'Bacteria-eating' viruses may spread some infectious diseases
Bacteriophage, or phage, previously thought not to be infectious to humans, may be a new target for fighting certain bacteria that produce toxins. Scientists found that phage can transfer toxins and genes between bacteria, transforming harmless microbes into virulent bugs.
Phage therapy could remove foodborne disease from livestock
Researchers have discovered a new bacteriophage, CEV1, that can efficiently infect and kill E. coli O157:H7 in livestock gut systems. This natural approach could lead to an effective management strategy to eradicate the pathogen from livestock.
An unexplored genomic terrain in a handful of dirt
The study reveals a vast array of genomic diversity among the ten newly isolated phages, with varying genome lengths and unexpected similarities to bacterial genomes. This discovery challenges traditional classification systems and raises questions about the role of bacteriophages in evolution.
Bacterial viruses make cheap easy vaccines
Researchers developed a method using bacteriophages to deliver vaccine components, offering advantages over traditional naked DNA vaccines. The technique has significant production and storage benefits, making it an attractive solution for addressing sudden vaccine demands.
An unlikely new weapon against a deadly bacteria in oysters: A virus
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a novel approach to curing mice of Vibrio vulnificus, a deadly bacteria that causes flu-like symptoms and can be fatal. The treatment involves using a virus to attack the bacterial source, showing promise as an alternative to antibiotics for treating this disease.
New therapy uses viruses to attack bacteria
Researchers from the University of Florida College of Medicine have developed a new therapy using bacteriophages to treat Vibrio vulnificus infections. Most mice injected with both the bacterium and a deadly bacteriophage survived what would normally be a fatal infection, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.