Articles tagged with Bacterial Dna
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are using cross-assembly phage (crAssphage) as an indicator of fecal contamination in water, which can help prevent disease outbreaks and improve public safety. The study aims to establish a correlation between crAssphage presence and pathogens in irrigation water.
A new metagenomics methodology can quickly diagnose foodborne bacterial outbreaks by analyzing DNA sequencing data. This approach identified Salmonella pathogen variants and detected co-infections with Staphylococcus aureus, revolutionizing disease surveillance.
A WSU research team has successfully used a mild electric current to kill drug-resistant bacterial infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, responsible for chronic and serious infections in lung diseases and wounds. The technology uses an antibiotic in combination with the electric current to disrupt biofilm matrices, damage ...
Researchers develop optical fingerprint to study Salmonella biofilms, providing new tool for understanding mechanisms of biofilm formation. The method is specific and non-toxic, allowing for the detection of biofilm components without harming bacteria.
Researchers have found worrying traces of resistant bacteria in the air, which could lead to the development of last-resort antibiotic-resistant infections. The study analyzed DNA from humans, animals, and environments worldwide and found a wide mix of resistance genes, including those that make bacteria resistant to carbapenems.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can gauge population density through quorum sensing and boost their CRISPR-Cas immune systems in response, providing new insight into bacterial collective immunity. This ability enables bacteria to preemptively elevate their immunity when most at risk of a virus spreading.
A study found that New York City ATM keypads are inhabited by microorganisms primarily from human skin and household surfaces, as well as residual DNA from consumed food. The bacterial diversity was low, with clustering largely absent by geography.
Researchers have developed a method to control genetically altered bacteria to release medicines to tumors or the gut, using temperature regulation. This technology has applications in novel therapeutics for cancer and other diseases.
Red squirrels in Britain and Ireland are found to be infected with leprosy bacteria, M. leprae and M. lepromatosis. This discovery raises concerns for conservation efforts as the disease can be transmitted among red squirrels, highlighting the need for better management.
A DNA study has found that red squirrels on Brownsea Island are infected with the same species of bacteria responsible for human leprosy infections. The bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae, shares close similarities with a strain discovered in medieval Europe and is similar to a strain found in armadillos.
A new study reveals that small DNA molecules known as plasmids accelerate the evolution of new forms of antibiotic resistance. Plasmids are found in many bacteria and are capable of transferring resistance genes between them.
A CSIC study is using genetic sequencing to identify new bacterial regulators that can be used to design compounds to manipulate bacterial processes. This research aims to develop new antimicrobials to fight against infections.
Researchers reconstructed the genomes of over 2,500 microbes from sediment and groundwater samples, revealing an incredible 80% of known bacterial phyla. The discovery sheds new insights into the importance of subsurface microbes in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles.
Researchers discover that certain bacteria can fix nitrogen, a limiting nutrient in the ocean. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient marine ecosystems and potentially even 'fertilize' the surrounding habitat.
Researchers have developed a new approach to study the gut microbiome, revealing that diabetes patients and healthy individuals have similar bacterial species composition but differing metabolic activity. The study discovered that changes in gut bacteria metabolism can exacerbate type 1 diabetes by affecting vitamin levels.
A new study from Oregon Health and Science University suggests that the type of bacteria present in the urinary tract may play a role in general health conditions like Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI). Women with UUI tend to have fewer diverse bacterial communities, while those with lower diversity experience more severe symptoms.
Scientists at Technical University of Munich developed a new bioinformatics tool to search all bacterial sequences in databases and find similarities or check existence. The tool allows researchers to explore microbial communities and their habitats in detail, with potential applications in clinical diagnostics.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital identified a bacterial molecule that trains the immune system to tolerate infection without inducing illness. The molecule, 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AA), reprograms innate immune cells to accept the presence of certain pathogens by suppressing inflammatory responses.
The University of Copenhagen is receiving $1 million to research manipulating intestinal flora for obesity prevention. The project, PhageGut, aims to use lytic phages to shape the composition of the intestinal flora and prevent obesity.
Bacteria have a flexible immune system called CRISPR-Cas that can remember and destroy invading DNA. A new study reveals how this system selects new memories from mutated threats, proposing a positive feedback loop to reduce the risk of evading defences.
Researchers have identified a strain of E. coli bacteria from a New Jersey patient with a complicated urinary tract infection that harbored resistance to both carbapenem antibiotics and colistin. The study highlights the need for active surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship to prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.
A new study found that captive monkeys in zoos lose their native gut bacteria diversity and acquire a set similar to humans. The researchers suggest that a low-fiber Western diet may be the cause, as it led to a loss of microbial diversity in both captive and semi-captive populations.
Researchers have successfully modified a living genome by replacing multiple codons with alternatives, paving the way for fully recoded organisms. The study, which reduced the number of codons in E.coli from 64 to 57, provides critical insights into creating functional altered genomes.
Researchers studied how epigenetics regulate vital functions in bacteria, simple eukaryotes, and complex organisms like humans. The study reveals that epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in regulating development, gene expression, and disease susceptibility.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan campus have developed a novel DNA analysis technique that identifies the full spectrum of yeast and bacteria in wine samples. This breakthrough allows for faster and more efficient monitoring of micro-organisms affecting wine quality, paving the way for improved wine production.
Scientists have discovered that newly found SAR11 bacteria are depleting oxygen and nitrogen in the world's largest oxygen minimum zone, making virtual dead zones even more inhospitable to life. This process has significant implications for global nutrient supplies and greenhouse gas cycles.
A pilot study by University of Oregon researchers found that urban parks have unique bacterial fingerprints reflecting vegetation types, while parking lots tend to be more similar. This study provides evidence for how differences in vegetation influence airborne microbial communities and offers promising new directions for exploring th...
A study published in Nature found that the majority of new genetic mutations in E. coli bacteria are beneficial and occur at variable rates, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery has implications for treating bacterial infections and may impact personalized medicine.
A team of researchers sequenced 264 complete genomes from Richard Lenski's long-term evolution experiment (LTEE) to examine how E. coli bacteria changed over 50,000 generations. They found more than 14,000 changes across 12 populations, with mutations concentrated in genes that gave the bacteria a competitive edge.
Researchers have discovered methylmercury-producing bacteria in Antarctic sea ice, which can contaminate marine life and food webs. The findings raise concerns about mercury pollution in a warming climate, particularly in depleted fish stocks.
Researchers found that combining three different antibiotics can often overcome bacterial resistance, with some combinations killing 100% of bacteria. The study's findings could be a major step toward combating drug-resistant infections, and the team plans to make open-access software available for other scientists and clinicians to use.
A new study reveals that the evolution of gut bacteria in humans and hominids parallels ape evolution, suggesting a long-term co-evolution between hosts and microbes. The research sheds light on the importance of the human microbiome and its connection to our evolutionary history.
Researchers have created gas biosensors that enable real-time monitoring of microbial gene expression in soil samples, allowing for the study of horizontal gene transfer and its impact on environmental processes. The technique has the potential to improve crop growth through more efficient watering and fertilizer use.
A new study led by researchers at Duke University found that breeding plants with beneficial bacteria to feed the world won't be simple. The study analyzed the microbial diversity of a wildflower and found that environmental differences had the biggest influence on the plant's bacterial makeup.
A new platform harnesses DNA as the engine of a microscopic nanomachine, detecting trace amounts of substances such as viruses, bacteria, and metals. The technology uses selectively triggered DNA molecules to create a signal, enabling ultra-sensitive detection and potential clinical testing.
Researchers developed a fast and non-destructive method to detect Wolbachia bacteria in Aedes mosquitoes using near-infrared spectroscopy. The technique shows high accuracy in detecting the presence of Wolbachia strains, including benign and aggressive forms, with an average accuracy of 96-92%.
Researchers found that head-on collisions between DNA replication and transcription increase mutation rates, particularly in the promoter region. This susceptibility can lead to genetic changes affecting an organism's health, from bacteria to humans.
Researchers found that oral bacteria cooperate to make a pathogenic bacterium more infectious by providing an oxygen-rich environment. This cross-respiration allows the pathogen to grow and thrive, leading to worse infections.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found an association between microbiome makeup and head and neck cancer. The study suggests that specific bacterial populations may be used to discriminate between patients with cancer and healthy individuals.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified biological markers of chronic fatigue syndrome in gut bacteria and inflammatory microbial agents in the blood. This breakthrough discovery offers a new approach to diagnosing ME/CFS through stool samples and blood work.
Research suggests that beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Streptococcus may protect women from breast cancer by inducing anticarcinogenic properties. Probiotics could be a potential tool to boost these beneficial bacteria, potentially lowering the risk of breast cancer.
Plant pathogens use DNA-degrading enzymes to escape extracellular DNA traps generated by host root border cells. The researchers found that a soil-borne bacterium causes destructive wilt disease in plants and uses endonucleases to destroy the traps, compromising its ability to invade roots.
A new technology called Maximum Depth Sequencing (MDS) can accurately read the order of DNA code and reveal how bacteria use high-speed evolution to defeat antibiotics. MDS also promises to enable earlier cancer diagnosis by detecting rare genetic changes in human cell populations.
A male-killing bacterium has been identified as the cause of female-biased sex ratios in green lacewings. The bacterium is closely related to plant pathogens and may have jumped hosts to infect lacewings. Further research is needed to investigate possible host suppressors against male-killing.
Scientists developed MetaFast, a software tool that rapidly analyzes metagenomes to identify previously unknown pathogens and develop personalized medicine. The algorithm can work with unknown environments and detect microorganisms like viruses.
A virus has been found to use a 'stolen' CRISPR system to hijack its host's immune response, allowing it to fight off other viral infections. The Cyanophage N1 virus uses a CRISPR sequence typically used by bacteria to defend against viruses.
A Purdue University research team has developed an electronic sensor that can distinguish between dead and living bacteria cells. The sensor works by detecting changes in electrical conductivity in droplets containing bacteria, a process that varies according to whether the cell is alive or dead.
A CRISPR system targeting RNA has been developed and tested, allowing for precise editing of single-stranded RNA. This breakthrough holds implications for various biological applications, including RNA modification and regulation.
A study published in Science reveals that a molecule called ppGpp enables bacteria to repair damage to their DNA, including that caused by antibiotics. Adjusting the action of ppGpp may make bacteria more vulnerable to existing antibiotics, potentially yielding future solutions for antibiotic resistance and degenerative diseases.
EPFL scientists have described the atomic-level mechanism of bacteriophage infection using state-of-the-art tools. The breakthrough reveals how the baseplate coordinates attachment and contraction of the viral tail, shedding light on a complex process that has major implications for medicine and research.
Researchers from USF have isolated a natural product chemical from an Antarctic sponge that can eliminate over 98% of MRSA cells. The extract, named darwinolide, has shown promise in treating biofilm-based infections, which are resistant to current antibiotics.
Researchers have developed a new method called SLENDR that allows precise labeling of proteins in brain cells using CRISPR/Cas9. This enables scientists to study brain development and function with unprecedented accuracy, revealing previously undescribed behaviors of protein kinase C.
A study found that chicken coops and sewage treatment plants are hotspots of antibiotic resistance, with bacteria sharing resistance genes through DNA exchange. This poses a risk to the food system and public health, particularly in developing countries where antibiotic use is high.
A targeted antibiotic, Debio 1452, was found to minimize disruptions to the gut microbiome in mice compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The study suggests that pathogen-selective approaches to antibiotic development can help preserve beneficial bacteria and prevent secondary infections.
Researchers sequenced DNA of oil-munching microbes to reveal the genetic potential in different bacterial species, including newly identified ones. The findings show that some bacteria can break down aromatic hydrocarbons, shedding light on their role in limiting damage from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.
Researchers have discovered a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that looks susceptible to colistin, but actually ignores treatment. The strain, called R/S, has a genetically identical subpopulation of resistant bacteria lurking within it, making diagnosis challenging.
A large-scale study has found that lifestyle factors significantly impact the diversity of intestinal bacteria, with a diverse microbiome associated with better health outcomes. The study analyzed DNA from over 1,100 participants and identified 60 dietary factors that influence gut bacteria diversity.
Scientists discovered that Cpf1, a CRISPR-associated enzyme, can cut both RNA and DNA. This dual activity enables efficient targeting of multiple sites in parallel, or multiplexing, for sequence-specific genome engineering.
A new tool has shown that evolutionary history plays a significant role in the activity of bacteria in soil communities. The study found that related bacteria exhibit similar growth rates and carbon use patterns, contradicting the idea of functional redundancy.
Researchers discovered bacteria capable of using iron as an electron acceptor, enabling them to process energy and potentially leading to the origins of life. The studies also have implications for the search for life on Mars, where iron metabolism could be a crucial component.