Articles tagged with Bacterial Chromosomes
A new variant of the emerging antibiotic resistance mechanism mcr-1 has been discovered on a multidrug-resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae, which was isolated from a child hospitalized with leukemia. The newly identified gene, mcr-1.2, confers resistance to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can amplify disease-inducing genes to quickly cause infection. The study found that the essential proteins needed to form the poisonous syringe are produced through a 'copying machine' when the bacteria come into contact with host cells, enabling rapid infection.
Weizmann Institute researchers successfully engineer E. coli bacteria to consume carbon dioxide and produce sugars, a breakthrough that could help address global food security and climate change. By adapting the bacteria's metabolism through evolution, scientists have created a new tool for studying and improving carbon fixation.
Scientists at UC Riverside discovered a strain of beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria that has spread across California, forming tumor-like nodules on plant roots. The epidemic strains were found to be highly successful in the soil and in competition to infect plants, explaining their persistence and dominance.
Researchers have mapped the core set of genes that enable strep bacteria to acquire new genes for antibiotic resistance and escape the immune response. The study identifies 83 specific genes in 29 regions of the strep chromosome that are required for DNA uptake.
Researchers have successfully mapped the genome of the common bed bug, identifying 805 possible instances of genes transferred from bacteria. The findings suggest that these genes, such as a patatin-like gene, could become effective targets for pest control.
Nancy Kleckner has made significant contributions to understanding chromosomes and mechanisms of inheritance. Her work has transformed methodology, combining traditional genetic approaches with molecular biology and microscopy.
Researchers found a new gene, mcr-1, that enables bacteria to resist polymyxins, the last line of defence against infections. The gene is widespread in E coli and K pneumoniae strains from pigs and patients in south China, suggesting its potential to spread rapidly into human pathogens.
When fruit flies get sick, their offspring become more diverse due to increased genetic variability. This adaptation may help the offspring survive future threats from the same pathogens. The findings demonstrate that parents can alter the genotypes of their offspring, a strategy that could be beneficial for survival.
Researchers at Northeastern University discovered that a specific mutation in the hipA gene leads to persistent E. coli cells in patients with relapsing urinary tract infections, paving the way for customized treatment regimens.
Two antibiotic resistance genes, KPC and NDM-1, can be shared among bacteria responsible for hospital-associated infections. The study found that genetic similarity between US and South Asian strains suggests easy transmission of these superbugs.
Researchers discovered that Yersinia pestis bacteria traffic to lymph nodes on their own, not relying on human phagocytic cells. Most microbes get trapped in a bottleneck in the skin or node, and only a few break free to cause disease.
A novel tool called 'telomerator' enables the creation of linear yeast chromosomes with precise telomere endings, improving gene study and engineering. This advancement allows researchers to test how genes interact with their chromosomes, promoting more realistic synthetic biology.
Researchers use CRISPR genome-editing system to target specific genes conferring antibiotic resistance, resulting in 99% killing of resistant bacteria. CombiGEM technology rapidly identifies genetic combinations that sensitize bacteria to different antibiotics.
Researchers identify two critical controls that tie DNA replication to cell division in bacteria, enabling them to enter a 'zombie-like' state when blocked. This discovery opens doors to developing new drugs that target the bacterial cell cycle to combat infections.
Researchers have developed a way to identify isolated pieces of DNA floating outside the bacterial chromosome, which can play important roles in virulence and antibiotic resistance. Extrachromosomal DNA elements, such as phages and plasmids, were found widespread among medically important strains of Staphylococci.
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a new genetic platform that enables efficient production of natural molecules, including a novel antibiotic compound called taromycin A. The study demonstrates the potential for this technology to unlock the drug discovery potential of countless new microbes.
Researchers at San Francisco State University use mathematical analysis to model the separation of bacterial chromosomes, revealing a stepwise process. This study could lead to the design of better antibacterial drugs and a deeper understanding of DNA topology.
A UCSF scientist suggests that complex gene expression mechanisms in humans may have evolved to counter viral infections, rather than for overall organism development. This idea challenges conventional wisdom about the evolution of eukaryotic cells.
Researchers have discovered a protein in bacteria that delays cell division when food is abundant, enabling cells to grow to the right size. This understanding may be used to design drugs that stop division entirely and kill bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new one-step process called 'clonetegration' that simplifies the production of designer bacteria. This faster method enables multiple rounds of genetic engineering on the same bacteria and simultaneous integration of multiple genes, accelerating therapeutic drug development.
Researchers found that head-on collisions between replication and transcription machineries lead to faster mutations in genes on the lagging strand. This accelerated mutation rate may help bacteria adapt to environmental changes, but also increases structural variations in proteins.
The study reveals that Streptococcus pneumoniae's enzyme DpnA protects foreign DNA, allowing pathogenicity island exchange between bacteria. This mechanism promotes genome diversification and helps pneumococcal virulence.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill identified a bacterial enzyme that enables vancomycin resistance to spread among Staphylococcus aureus strains. They also discovered a potential solution by designing a synthetic molecule that blocks the transfer of resistance genes, offering hope for developing effective therapies.
Scientists have identified a unique phage that acts as a predator, infecting and harming competing bacterial strains in the human intestine. The discovery could lead to new techniques for controlling bacteria in a natural way, opening up questions about the role of phages in shaping gut communities.
Researchers discovered how nonspecific binding plays a critical role in controlling the switch between dormant and virulent states in bacteria. The study used single-molecule techniques to characterize the role of non-specific binding in facilitating the closure of a DNA loop that switches off virulence.
Researchers at Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center offer a possible explanation for the existence of operons, jointly controlled clusters of genes found in bacterial chromosomes. The study suggests that operons help bacteria deal with noisy biochemical signals by suppressing noise in gene regulatory networks.
Researchers at Leibniz-Institute DSMZ discovered that Roseobacter clade bacteria can exchange genetic characteristics through plasmids, allowing them to conquer new ecological niches. This horizontal gene transfer enables photosynthesis and enhances survival in diverse ocean habitats.
Scientists studied Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a rod-shaped soil bacterium responsible for crown gall disease in plants. They discovered that the bacterium maintains its linear chromosome through an enzyme called TelA, which forms hairpin loops to protect it.
Researchers inserted ancient gene into modern-day E. coli and observed its evolution over 1,000 generations. The results showed that the ancient gene did not mutate to become more similar to its modern form, but rather the bacteria adapted through novel mutations.
Stuart B. Levy receives the 2012 Abbott-ASM Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long dedication to understanding antibiotic resistance. His work has elucidated key mechanisms and control of resistance in bacterial and mammalian cells, leading to new treatments and strategies.
J. Craig Venter discussed his team's progress on major projects, including developing new synthetic cells and engineering genomes to produce biofuels, vaccines, clean water, food and other products. He also described his work in sequencing the human genome and studying the human microbiome.
Scientists at the University of California, Davis have made a significant discovery on how DNA repairs itself. They found that the protein Rad51 searches for the correct region to use for repair by forming an extensive filament and guiding it to the right place in the chromosome.
A study by Heather Allen and colleagues reveals that antibiotics in swine feed stimulate gene transfer among gut bacteria, increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance. The researchers found that prophages, segments of DNA encoding antibiotic resistance genes, underwent significant increases in induction when exposed to antibiotics.
Scientists deciphered the 3D structure of Caulobacter crescentus's chromosome using high-throughput chromatin interaction detection and next-generation DNA sequencing. Analysis revealed novel characteristics of the parS site, which helps define the chromosome's shape, and showed that altering its position can lead to a large-scale reor...
A Stanford team cataloged the bacterial genome's essential elements, revealing 12% crucial for survival. The researchers used an efficient new method to map the genome and identify 480 protein-coding genes, 402 promoter regions, and 130 non-coding segments of unknown function.
Research shows that bacterial resistance mechanisms increase survival and reproduction rates when both genetic mutations and plasmid insertions occur simultaneously. Bacteria like Escherichia coli exhibit faster reproduction in up to 32% of mutation-plasmid combinations.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found that bacteria incorporate foreign DNA from invading viruses into their own regulatory processes, developing resistance to antibiotics. This discovery sheds light on how bacteria have developed immunity over millions of years.
Researchers successfully created a bacterial cell with a synthetic genome, paving the way for designing bacteria for biofuel production and environmental cleanup. The new method uses a combination of chemical synthesis and genetic engineering to create a 'synthetic cell' that can be controlled by a human-made genome.
Cyanobacteria build miniature factories inside themselves that turn carbon into fuel, with spatial organization improving efficiency. The discovery may help create designer bacteria for producing carbon-neutral fuels like biodiesel and hydrogen.
Researchers identified a key protein that controls bacterial cell division and found the biological clock's role in regulating this process. The study's findings provide insights into the evolution of circadian clocks between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Yale researchers discovered exceptionally large RNAs in previously unstudied bacteria, suggesting many more remain to be found as scientists explore more bacterial species. These RNAs rank among the largest and most sophisticated yet discovered, potentially acting like enzymes or carrying out complex functions.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that Bacillus anthracis forms a symbiotic relationship with viruses to survive and thrive. The viruses alter the lifestyle of the bacteria, influencing its ability to produce spores and form communities.
A Caltech-led team demonstrates how partial penetrance enables evolution to make large developmental leaps by allowing genetic mutations to have varying effects on different organisms, leading to twin spores in bacteria that normally produce only singletons. This process involves random fluctuations and noise working alongside partial ...
The completed genome sequence of Azotobacter vinelandii reveals unique features that enable the bacteria to fix nitrogen in the presence of oxygen. The research provides new prospects for the production and characterization of oxygen-sensitive proteins through genetic approaches.
Researchers at Uppsala University have identified a new enzyme necessary for DNA synthesis that can also erase DNA from bacterial chromosomes. By studying Salmonella mutants, they found that this enzyme plays a crucial role in spontaneous gene deletions, which can lead to the reduction of DNA content.
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.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have created a comprehensive library of clones covering most of the Drosophila melanogaster genome using the P[acman] tool. This new resource enables scientists to study large chunks of DNA in living flies, facilitating genetic research and discovery.
Researchers discovered that second chromosomes in bacteria are formed from plasmids, challenging current understanding of genome evolution. The study provides a general model for how multichromosomal architectures evolved in the Rhizobiaceae family.
A team of researchers from Georgia Tech has identified the genetic machinery responsible for producing thiostrepton, a powerful antibiotic effective against MRSA and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The discovery sets the stage for genetic manipulations to improve solubility and create new antibacterial agents.
Researchers sequenced the genome of Cyanobacterium ATCC 51142, revealing a rare linear chromosome containing genes for pyruvate metabolism. The discovery provides a framework for understanding this organism's ability to produce lactate and other compounds.
Scientists have found a novel linear chromosome in cyanobacterium Cyanothece 51142, containing genes important for producing biofuels. The discovery was made possible by simultaneous DNA sequencing and protein analysis, which revealed more genes on the linear and circular chromosomes than previously thought.
A new genomics tool identifies artificial vector sequences by clustering shared DNA regions, allowing for high sensitivity and specificity in detecting engineered pathogens. The tool's potential is being explored to combat malicious genetic engineering applications.
Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features methods to observe protein dynamics, including inserting lac operator sequences into mammalian cells and performing immunohistochemistry in whole mouse embryos. These techniques allow researchers to examine chromatin structure and protein activity during replication and transcription.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover a new communication factor that enables bacterial communities to 'talk to each other' and die under stressful conditions. This discovery could lead to the development of a new class of antibiotics targeting Escherichia coli and other pathogenic bacteria.
Researchers at Tufts University discovered that the CodY protein regulates the genes controlling C. difficile toxin production, which kills human intestinal cells by causing them to burst open. This understanding opens the door for developing a drug that can prevent hospital patients from falling ill.
The new vaccine uses a virulent M. tuberculosis strain with genes knocked out to prevent apoptosis of mammalian cells, eliciting a strong and long-lasting T-cell response. This approach demonstrates superior protection compared to the standard BCG vaccine in animal models.
Jan Löwe's groundbreaking research elucidated the structure and function of proteins involved in bacterial cell division, showcasing the complexity and sophistication of bacterial cells. His work highlights the importance of structural biology in understanding fundamental biological mechanisms.
Researchers found that C. difficile expresses its pathogenicity during periods of nutrient deprivation, potentially leading to a new treatment approach. A five-gene region, known as the tcd locus, plays a crucial role in toxin production and cell membrane disruption.
P/acman allows researchers to study large genes and gene complexes in Drosophila, overcoming a key limitation of currently available methods. This new technique has far-reaching promise for understanding the structure and function of virtually all fly genes.