Articles tagged with Bacterial Biofilms
A multidisciplinary study has identified a novel biofilm regulatory protein called Biofilm Architecture Regulator (BatR) and its role in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. The discovery may lead to new targets for anti-infective treatments, including those for people with cystic fibrosis.
A new 3D computer model developed by the University of Surrey has shown how Pseudomonas aeruginosa grows and spreads its protective layer under constant fluid flow. The model's accuracy was validated through laboratory experiments, demonstrating potential for faster and smarter ways to understand bacterial behavior.
Researchers developed microparticles that infiltrate stubborn bacterial matrices and release tiny oxygen bubbles to clean surfaces and wounds efficiently. The particles were shown to effectively clean surgical instruments and infected wounds, accelerating healing and reducing inflammation.
Researchers found that self-propelled particles can spontaneously form clusters when navigating a dense colony of dividing cells. The growing medium creates an environment that transforms the particles' behavior, making them behave like active Brownian particles and attracting them to each other without explicit interaction.
A new clinical trial at the University of Cincinnati is testing a peptide solution to treat prosthetic joint infections after total knee replacement. The trial aims to reduce the need for repeat surgeries and expand the treatment window beyond two weeks.
Researchers design nanoagents to carry antibiotics deep into bacterial infections, releasing them upon gentle ultrasound activation. This approach reduces antibiotic resistance and improves treatment of biofilm-related infections.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that enables bacterial pathogens to assemble antibiotic-resistant 3D biofilms, which protect them from antibiotics and the immune system. The team found that adhesive pili form flat sheets linking bacteria together and shield them from hostile environments.
Researchers found that silencing bacteria can worsen heart infections by promoting aggressive biofilm growth and reducing antibiotic effectiveness. The study highlights the need for targeted therapeutic strategies against infectious endocarditis.
A Dartmouth study found that plasmids can form tight clusters within bacterial communities, making them resistant to antibiotics and clinical treatments. This phenomenon introduces a new avenue for bacterial infections to become more difficult to treat.
Researchers developed a novel CRISPR-based technology called pPro-MobV that can remove antibiotic-resistant elements from bacterial populations. The new tool uses gene-drive thinking and has the potential to combat antibiotic resistance in healthcare settings, environmental remediation, and microbiome engineering.
A novel nanogel technology has been developed to kill drug-resistant bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, with high selectivity and efficiency. The technology uses a heteromultivalent nanogel that binds to specific proteins on the bacterial surface, disrupting the membrane and leading to rapid bacterial death.
A long-term analysis of Detroit Reservoir shows a regime shift in 2018, switching from cylindrospermopsin to microcystin as the dominant toxin-producing strain. This change was caused by accumulations of previously identified Dolichospermum strains, providing early warning tools for downstream water utilities.
Researchers at Arizona State University discovered two new forms of bacterial movement: swashing and shifting strategies. Bacteria can move across moist surfaces using currents created by fermentation, while other types use the type 9 secretion system to glide across surfaces.
A UC Berkeley professor and her team have discovered gene clusters in the oral microbiome that produce molecules helping good bacteria stick to teeth, outcompeting acid-producing cavities. The researchers plan to introduce these gene clusters into healthy bacteria to form strong biofilms, reducing cavities.
Researchers at ORNL have developed an automated large-area AFM platform to capture detailed observations of individual bacterial cells and broader views of larger biological architectures. The system revealed honeycomb-like patterns in bacteria, potentially strengthening biofilm cohesion.
A recent study found that bacteria employ amyloids, a key driver of Alzheimer's disease, as a molecular suit of armor against predatory bacteria. By understanding this mechanism, scientists may develop new strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant microbes and potentially even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers find that albumin triggers a shift in fungal behavior, causing previously non-harmful Candida strains to grow strongly and release toxic compounds.
A protein from insect resilin has been used to create antibacterial coatings that can block bacteria from attaching to surfaces. The coatings were tested on E.coli bacteria and human skin cells, demonstrating 100% effectiveness in repelling bacteria while integrating well with healthy cells.
Researchers found that nanoplastics with positively charged surfaces caused physiological stress in E. coli O157:H7, leading to increased Shiga-like toxin production. The bacteria's ability to colonize and multiply was also impaired.
Researchers have found new organisms that can capture carbon dioxide and clean pollutants from the environment. By exploring extremophiles in homes, scientists can gain insights into their unique characteristics and develop sustainable solutions.
Researchers created laser-textured metal that stops bacteria from attaching, reducing biofilm buildup and making surface cleaning easier. The technique alters water-repellent properties of the metal, a key factor impacting bacterial growth.
A study found that bacterial cellulose patches induce plant tissue regeneration by triggering cytokine signaling. The mechanism involves the production of oxidative stress and activation of defense pathways, leading to wound closure.
A new study has identified novel strains of microbes that have adapted to use limited resources in cities, including those found in Hong Kong's subways and skin. These microbes can metabolize manufactured products, posing health risks if they are pathogenic.
A new study reveals how three species of bacteria coexist in biofilms by playing a game of 'nice' and then moving out when the surface becomes too crowded. The dominant species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, disperses to allow other species to thrive.
The study highlights the role of proteins, polysaccharides, water channels, and metal ions in shaping biofilm morphology. Bacterial biofilms adapt to environmental stressors through complex interactions between cells and molecular processes in the extracellular space.
Researchers discovered Corynebacterium matruchotii's unique cell division mechanism, enabling dense networks within dental plaque biofilms. This process allows the bacteria to explore their environment and form beneficial interactions.
A recent study revealed that specific bacteria produce a carbohydrate compound that induces settlement and metamorphosis in larvae of the warm-water tubeworm Hydroides elegans. This process, known as biofouling, can coat ship hulls and propellers, causing significant economic damage.
Researchers at University of Tokyo discovered E.coli bacteria exhibit similar characteristics to colloidal glass when densely packed, exhibiting a glassy state with restricted movement. The study reveals novel properties beyond standard glass-like behavior, including spontaneous microdomain formation and collective motion.
Researchers discovered that short- and long-range weapons perform differently depending on the competition scenario, with long-range toxins becoming effective at high density and low initial numbers of competing bacteria. This study could help engineer beneficial microorganisms to out-compete pathogenic strains.
Researchers found that E. coli bacteria use iron levels to store information about behaviors like swarming and forming biofilms. These iron-based memories persist for at least four generations before disappearing, helping bacteria make informed decisions about their environment.
Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered that bacteria support each other across generations, sharing nutrients and forming intricate three-dimensional structures. This cooperative behavior enables bacterial communities to be more resilient and adaptable, highlighting the complexity and dynamics within microbial communities.
Researchers discovered that Alcanivorax borkumensis biofilms consume oil by stretching droplets into tubes, allowing for efficient oil degradation. Large concentrations of dispersants can harm these biofilms, highlighting the need for further research.
Researchers discover that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) reduces Streptococcus mutans biofilm by 90%, a main cause of plaque and cavities. The molecule also has anti-carcinogenic properties.
Researchers have designed a treatment that uses a modified bacterium to target and dissolve biofilms caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of hospital mortality. The treatment has shown significant efficacy in mice, reducing lung infections and doubling survival rates.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new optical tool called homo-FRET that allows them to observe the real-time activity of two-component systems in bacteria. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the behavior of deadly pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, shedding light on their mechanisms and potential targe...
A UMass Amherst team has engineered a biofilm capable of producing electricity from the energy in evaporation and converting it into a steady supply. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize wearable electronics by powering small devices and potentially entire electronic systems.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba discovered a mechanism for the transfer of antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus aureus bacteria through natural transformation. The study found that biofilm formation promotes horizontal gene transfer, which can lead to the spread of methicillin resistance.
Researchers have developed a new silver-ion releasing coating that effectively prevents bacteria from adhering to implants and killing them. The coating, dubbed "SAFE", was tested on rats and showed promising results, with no signs of toxicity or wear and tear.
Researchers created a dental tool that measures plaque acidity using an LED light and FDA-approved chemical dye, providing dentists with early warning signs of cavity development. The device can help limit the need for specific harmful bacteria tests and educate patients about sugar's impact on oral health.
Researchers found that nitrate triggers Salmonella bacteria to switch from a sessile, biofilm lifestyle to a motile, free-swimming lifestyle in the intestine. This switch enables the bacteria to cause active infection and establish transmission to a new host.
Researchers discovered that bacterial biofilms employ a developmental patterning mechanism similar to plants and animals. The 'clock and wavefront' mechanism creates intricate composite patterns of repeating segments of distinct cell types.
Scientists created macroscopic living functional materials by adhering bacteria together, demonstrating improved mechanical properties and processability. The material can also self-heal within minutes and degrade organophosphate pesticides.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that resistant bacteria can hide resistance genes in inactive bacteria within biofilms, creating a reservoir of resistance that can be drawn upon when antibiotics are not present. This new understanding challenges the long-held assumption that resistant bacteria lose their res...
A new coating developed by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago uses thermoresponsive properties to create a hygroscopic slippery layer that prevents harmful substances from coming into contact with surfaces. This technology delays ice and frost formation, outperforming commercial products by up to ten times.
Researchers identified bacteria and yeast on photovoltaic panels in Brazil, similar to those found in Spain, the US, Arctic, and Antarctic. The microorganisms have adapted to sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and water scarcity, making them suitable for biotech applications.
A new study from Cornell University has found that the antimicrobial properties of certain stem cell proteins can effectively reduce the viability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in skin wounds. The treatment also stimulates the surrounding skin cells to build up a defense against the bacterial invader.
Researchers at Rice University are developing novel computational approaches to track environmental microbiome dynamics over time, across species and after perturbations. The team will use biofilm-based 'species abundance networks' on scaffolds to observe how they form their own genome-exchange networks.
A recent study analyzed 124 dental biofilm metagenomes from various primate species, revealing 10 core bacterial genera that have been maintained throughout African hominid evolution. These microbial groups played a key role in oral biofilms for over 40 million years and adapted to starch-rich diets early in human evolution.
A new technique uses bacterial biofilms to capture microplastics, which are then processed and dispersed for recycling. This method has the potential to remove microplastics from wastewater treatment plants, helping to stop their release into oceans and protect human health and food chains.
A study by researchers at the University of Campinas found that adults with periodontitis transmit bacteria to their children, leading to subgingival bacterial colonization at an early age. This highlights the importance of preventive care in infancy to avoid developing this inflammatory disease of the gums.
The NIH has awarded grants to support research on bacteriophage therapy, an emerging field that could yield new ways to fight antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Researchers will study the interaction between phages and bacteria to create lasting, re-usable therapeutics.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has developed a novel material produced by bacteria that can effectively separate water from oil. The material consists of cellulose nano-fibers created by the bacteria Gluconacetobacter hansenii, which are then used to filter out the oil from an oily mixture.
The CUHK research team found that viscoelasticity can be harnessed to control active matter's self-organisation, enabling the creation of self-driven devices. The discovery has implications for soft robotics, tissue engineering, and microbial physiology, as well as the dispersal of biofilms and gut microbiome.
Extracellular vesicles, secreted by the cells lining the airways, carry iron bound to transferrin and supply bacterial cells with essential nutrients, promoting bacterial growth. This mechanism allows bacteria to exploit the host's defense system against pathogens.
Researchers developed a new way to generate tough, functional materials using a mixture of bacteria and yeast, producing cellulose embedded with enzymes that can sense environmental pollutants. They also incorporated yeast directly into the material, creating 'living materials' for purifying water or detecting damage.
Researchers identified nitrogen-scrubbing bacteria living in coral slime, which can take up excess nitrogen and prevent algae blooms. This natural defense mechanism may help corals protect themselves from certain stressors.
Researchers found virus-like particles resembling red blood cells and sea-urchin-like structures within bacterial symbionts of Bryozoa. The discovery suggests that these particles may regulate the number of symbiotic bacteria in host organisms.
Researchers developed nanocrystals with a unique surface texture that increases mobility and generates reactive oxygen species lethal to bacteria. The system is effective in killing embedded bacteria resistant to antibiotics and can be easily controlled.
Researchers identified multiple bacterial strains that increase adherence of PGPB to plant roots, enabling them to work together for mutual benefit. This finding may lead to the development of groups of bacteria that can better protect crop plants and improve their growth.
Researchers at São Paulo State University developed a biodegradable film for food packaging made from bacterial cellulose scraps and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The product outperforms traditional films, with improved mechanical strength and reduced water vapor permeability.