Articles tagged with Bacterial Dna
Researchers discovered plague has been endemic in human populations for over 3,000 years, with evidence of infection dating back to the Bronze Age. The bubonic form of plague spread through flea carriers after genetic mutations allowed Yersinia pestis bacteria to survive in human guts.
Stanford scientists discover tetrahymanol, a fatty molecule used as an indicator for life on early Earth, in bacterial membranes. The finding suggests many bacteria might produce the lipid, challenging conventional wisdom.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified key factors controlling bacterial proteolysis, a crucial cell process. The discovery provides a new target for developing antibiotics with high potential to avoid triggering drug resistance.
Researchers identify and map a light-sensing protein that uses vitamin B12 to regulate gene expression in response to light exposure. The discovery expands the biological role of vitamin B12 and offers insights into novel modes of gene regulation.
Researchers developed a DNA sequencing device that can detect bacteria and antibiotic resistance in urine samples four times faster than traditional methods. The new method allows for quicker treatment and better stewardship of diminishing antibiotic reserves.
Researchers at Caltech found that ocean microbes can consume large amounts of methane using electrons to share energy over long distances. The microbes use a symbiotic relationship to break down methane, which could help mitigate climate change.
Researchers discovered how Sulfolobus, a superbug that thrives in 80°C environments, transfers its genetic material to new cells during cell division. This finding sheds light on the origins of life and may lead to breakthroughs in understanding life beyond Earth.
A new computational method suggests that analyzing the relative amounts of starting DNA and ending DNA can be translated into the growth rate for each strain of bacteria. This approach has been found to reveal intriguing links between bacterial growth rates and conditions such as type II diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.
Rice University scientists have created a multicellular bacterial circuit that allows bacteria to cooperate and control protein expression. This breakthrough enables the development of biological computers that can be programmed through diet, with potential applications in treating diseases and manipulating the gut microbiome.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics, called retromutagenesis. This process involves mutations occurring in RNA first, allowing cells to grow and replicate before subsequent DNA mutations can take effect.
Researchers found that bacteria in different lung regions evolved distinct traits, including antibiotic resistance and virulence, affecting patient health. The study suggests that understanding this bacterial diversity could lead to new treatments for chronic infections.
Researchers at TSRI found that Staphylococcus aureus develops resistance to arylomycin by switching on a previously uncharacterized set of genes, bypassing the essential protein Type I signal peptidase. This discovery highlights the built-in redundancies that help bacteria survive in many environments.
Researchers from the University of Basel's Biozentrum have discovered a mechanism by which FIC proteins send bacteria into a state of dormancy, protecting them from antibiotics. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of pathogens and their tools, offering new avenues for understanding bacterial evolution.
Researchers have identified a protein called sigma54 that controls bacterial defenses, including the production of resistant outer coats and defensive structures. Understanding how sigma54 works could lead to the development of new compounds that can kill bacteria, providing a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine deciphered the structure and unusual shape of bacterial protein IstB, which prepares segments of DNA for jumping genes. The clamshell shape bends DNA into a 180-degree U-turn, priming it for transposon insertion.
Researchers are uncovering how bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance genes through conjugation, a process that involves exchanging genetic material with other microbes. Understanding this mechanism could lead to the development of more effective treatments, such as phage therapy, which uses viruses to target bacterial infections.
A team of researchers, led by Joshua Tasoff, used economic principles to study the behavior of Escherichia coli cells. The study found that as trade increased, bacterial communities grew faster, but at a cost: exporting microbes slowed their own growth.
A study found that certain combinations of gut bacteria, such as those from the Porphyromonadaceae and Lachnospiraceae families, resist colonization by C. difficile in mice. The researchers developed a computer model that accurately predicted C. difficile's success rate for other mice based on their gut microbiome composition.
Researchers discovered that multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii can voluntarily relinquish its antibiotic-resistance genes, making it susceptible to existing antibiotics. This finding provides new strategies for combating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at MIT have created sensors, memory switches, and circuits that can be encoded in the common human gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. These basic computing elements will allow the bacteria to sense, memorize, and respond to signals in the gut.
A study found that severe burns alter bacteria populations dramatically, leading to a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in potentially harmful Enterobacteriaceae. This imbalance may contribute to sepsis and other infectious complications in burn patients.
Clostridium difficile, the most common cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea, tightly controls its intracellular iron levels to avoid DNA damage. The pathogen has multiple systems for importing ferrous iron compounds, which are more critical in anaerobic conditions.
A Temple-led research team has discovered that bacterial biofilms found in the gut can provoke the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in lupus-prone mice. The researchers found that curli amyloid and DNA complexes in biofilms lead to inflammation, self-attacking antibodies, and autoimmune disease symptoms.
Researchers have discovered a unique process in TB bacteria that uses an additional protein to read DNA, providing a potential new target for antibiotics. This finding could speed up the drug discovery process by allowing scientists to quickly rule out ineffective treatments.
Researchers found that a single small genetic change enabled Yersinia pestis to transition from causing gastrointestinal infections to respiratory diseases, including pneumonic plague. This discovery may have helped explain how the plague spread globally, leading to devastating pandemics like the Black Death.
Engineers have created a prototype for real-time listeria bacterial contamination detection, aiming to detect levels as low as one bacteria in a 25-gram sample. The device utilizes nanobrushes that select and capture specific bacteria, mimicking the mechanism used by the Hawaiian bobtail squid's cilia.
Scientists at UC Berkeley have identified over 35 new groups of bacteria, revealing a diverse radiation that challenges the traditional three-domain view of life. These microbes are tiny, with some as small as 400 nanometers across, and have unique features such as small genomes and unusual ribosomes.
The research team created a single-molecule, real-time sequencing method to detect and phase DNA methylation in bacteria. They found that individual bacterial populations have distinct subpopulations with different gene expression patterns, which may contribute to increasing antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have developed VirScan, a method that can analyze a single drop of blood to identify past and present viral infections. The technology shows promise in uncovering unexpected factors affecting individual patients' health and expanding opportunities for large-scale analysis.
Researchers introduce a two-pronged system to combat antibiotic resistance by eliminating genes that cause resistance and conferring protection against lethal phages. The system, based on bacterial viruses called phages, has the potential to turn the tide on untreatable infections.
A study reveals that Obg plays a crucial role in bacterial persistence, allowing certain cells to survive antibiotics. The researchers' findings suggest that targeting the novel persistence pathway could lead to more effective treatment strategies for bacterial infections.
Researchers transformed bacteria into 'secret agents' that detect abnormal glucose levels in diabetic patients' urine. The bacteria are programmed using genetic transistors, allowing them to amplify and store molecular signals for months.
The tuberculosis bacterium co-opts mechanisms of the immune system to its own advantage by releasing small bits of DNA into macrophages. This triggers an immune response that helps the bacteria rather than fights it. Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate this process, potentially paving the way for new treatments
Researchers found that hot spring bacteria exchange genetic material through quasi-sexual gene transfer, driving genetic diversity and creating new combinations of genes. This process is driven by frequent swapping of DNA between organisms, allowing for rapid spread of gene variations.
Genetically programmed probiotics can detect liver cancer metastases early-on by producing signals easily detectable in urine. The approach may be useful for detecting the disease earlier, increasing chances of survival.
A 1500-year-old male skeleton from Great Chesterford in Essex, England, has been confirmed to have had leprosy through DNA testing and biomarkers. The leprosy strain originated from southern Scandinavia and dates back to the 5th or 6th centuries AD.
Researchers have developed a method using bacteria to test for pollutants in water and soil, detecting uranium and nitrate pollution. The test can be done overnight for up to 100 samples and is showing promise in predicting oil spills.
Researchers found that bacterial community structure can accurately predict the presence of contaminants such as uranium and oil. The approach uses DNA sequencing to monitor bacterial communities in environmental sites, providing a potential tool for detecting damage caused by human activity.
A multi-institutional team has discovered that statistical analysis of DNA from natural microbial communities can accurately identify environmental contaminants. The study, sponsored by the US Department of Energy, found that changes in microbial community structure persist long after contaminants are undetectable.
A team of researchers found that limiting migrations among populations of bacteria produced better adaptations and allowed for a wider variety of peaks, enabling the organisms to adapt to their environment more effectively. This 'tortoise-hare' pattern highlights the importance of slow and steady evolution in achieving long-term success.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have cracked the code of a fundamental process bacteria use to defend themselves against invaders. The type III CRISPR-Cas system targets both viral DNA and RNA, preventing viruses from copying themselves and infecting more bacteria.
Researchers developed a novel approach using a molecular homing beacon that attracts pre-existing antibodies to attack pathogenic bacteria. The technology shows promise in targeting multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, and could potentially be applied to other infections, viruses, or cancer cells.
Researchers developed a smartphone attachment that can image and size single DNA molecules 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. The device is intended for use in remote laboratory settings to diagnose various types of cancers and nervous system disorders.
Emory scientists have adapted the CRISPR genetic defense system to target the RNA of the hepatitis C virus in human cells. This approach could potentially prevent viral infections and has implications for biotechnology applications, including the prevention of viral infections in transgenic animals and plants.
Researchers created the first atlas of airborne microbes across the US, identifying over 110,000 bacterial species and 55,000 fungal species in dust samples from 1,200 homes nationwide. The study provides new insights into human health, animal health, and crop disease, with implications for understanding climate and soil variability.
Researchers discovered an unprecedentedly diverse collection of bodily bacteria in isolated Yanomami Indians, with a 40% lower diversity than those in industrialized countries. The study suggests a link between modern antibiotics and reduced microbiome diversity, potentially driving diseases like obesity and diabetes.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute of Science have discovered a precise mechanism used by bacteria to defend themselves against invading viruses. The CRISPR-Cas system is adaptive, allowing bacteria to 'memorize' viral DNA and launch targeted attacks in future encounters.
Researchers discovered how bacteria differentiate between self and foreign DNA using the CRISPR system, which involves identifying rapidly replicating DNA and utilizing DNA repair processes to create immune memory.
A DNA study of bacteria samples from the 2012 Edinburgh outbreak found four subtypes of Legionella that probably existed at the source for months. The genetic diversity of these bacteria suggests that tracing future infections may be challenging, with possible influences on disease severity.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a new way to print paper biosensors that can quickly diagnose bacterial and respiratory infections. The technology uses conventional office ink-jet printers to produce paper sensors with high molecular weight, enabling the detection of specific disease biomarkers.
A Broad Institute-MIT team has identified a highly efficient new Cas9 nuclease that overcomes the primary challenge to in vivo genome editing, expanding therapeutic and experimental applications of CRISPR. The new tool is expected to improve scientists' ability to screen for gene mutations and understand gene function using animal models.
Researchers from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine found bacteria in the bladders of healthy women, contradicting the long-held belief that normal urine is sterile. This discovery has significant implications for understanding bladder health and disease, particularly lower urinary tract disorders.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified key receptors that trigger the immune system to attack tularemia-causing bacteria, potentially leading to new protective treatments and vaccines. The discovery could also shed light on autoimmune diseases and cancers.
Researchers have analyzed the complete genome of Mycobacterium lepromatosis and compared it to that of the major leprosy-causing bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. The study reveals the origin and evolutionary history of both bacteria, offering new insights into their biology, global distribution, and possibly treatment.
A new study in baboons reveals that social relationships play a role in shaping an individual's gut microbial makeup. The researchers found that baboons who groomed each other more frequently shared more similar sets of gut microbes, suggesting that physical contact may be a key factor in allowing people to swap gut germs.
A new study led by Elizabeth Archie found that social interactions directly affect the gut microbiome of wild baboons. Baboons with stronger social bonds have more similar gut bacteria, suggesting physical contact is key to shaping the microbiome.
Researchers at the University of Exeter discovered that bacteria can evolve a permanent immune response to phages, but also induce a temporary CRISPR response for low-risk conditions. This finding has implications for industrial bacterial cultures and could lead to more efficient and cost-effective methods.
A new method called TFUMseq enables researchers to study the functions of hard-to-grow bacteria that contribute to the gut microbiome. The tool allows for the identification of genes that enhance microbial fitness and provides insights into how bacteria colonize living organisms.
New research analyzed the gut bacteria of queen bees, finding a starkly different microbiome compared to worker bees. The study suggests that modern beekeeping practices may not harm colonies by disrupting the gut microfauna.
Research suggests that African American men with pre-diabetic blood sugar levels have fewer beneficial and more harmful intestinal bacteria. The study found that a specific microbiota is associated with stable, normal blood glucose levels, while a different profile is linked to pre-diabetes.