Articles tagged with Bacterial Dna
Emerging disease has spread to ten US states and South America, infecting over 80% of corn plants in some fields. Research reveals global spread, host range, and potential DNA transfers among strains.
Researchers have discovered a compact Cas protein, CasΦ, in megaphages, which could make gene editing easier and more efficient. This protein targets specific regions of DNA with high accuracy and can cut both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA, making it a promising tool for crop improvement and disease treatment.
A team at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard developed a new molecular editor that can precisely edit mitochondrial DNA, enabling modeling of disease-associated mutations. The editor, engineered from a bacterial toxin, enables researchers to study genetic changes associated with cancer, aging, and more.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to prevent and treat chronic and recurrent bacterial diseases caused by biofilms. The technology targets the DNABII family of DNA-binding proteins, which are common to all biofilms and disrupts them.
A team of scientists discovered a new antibiotic binding site on the ribosome, blocking protein synthesis in bacteria. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new antibacterial drugs that overcome existing antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have developed a function-based sequencing technique using optical tweezers to analyze individual bacteria cells, enabling direct genome sequencing and antibiotic resistance testing from a single cell. This breakthrough technology supports rapid antibiotic selection and more precise treatment of bacterial infections.
A new approach has been developed to stimulate the production of antibiotics and antiparasitic compounds in actinobacteria. By exposing bacteria to specific hormones, researchers hope to produce large quantities of medically useful molecules.
A pioneering study found specific genetic changes affect gut bacteria populations, paving the way for understanding disease causes. Researchers identified 13 DNA changes related to changes in gut bacteria presence or quantity.
Researchers developed a high-throughput structure mapping method, Lead-Seq, to determine RNA structures in bacterial cells. The team successfully mapped the structures of thousands of RNAs simultaneously, including previously unknown 'RNA thermometers' that detect temperature changes.
A review paper argues that bacteriophages are essential for maintaining healthy bacterial communities around plant roots, which is vital for plant growth. The researchers suggest that these phages can stimulate microbes to protect plants during droughts and transfer DNA between cells, leading to new functionalities.
A team of Kyoto University researchers has discovered an intimate connection between methylation and the body's circadian rhythms, linking ancient mechanisms in bacteria to humans. Disruption of methylation can cause various pathologies, including cancer, and inhibiting it in mice and human cells disrupted their body clocks.
A recent study found that cell phones and shoes harbor distinct communities of microbes, with shoes displaying greater diversity. The research also uncovered a substantial proportion of 'microbial dark matter' groups, previously unexplored in lab settings.
A new consensus statement by 119 microbiologists proposes updating the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to include uncultivated bacteria and archaea represented by DNA sequence information. This would enable researchers to create a unified list of all discovered species and implement universal quality standards for nam...
Researchers discovered that SAR11 bacteria host a unique virus with a two-pronged survival strategy, allowing it to thrive in the oceans. The virus can multiply and split, producing large numbers of free viruses, contributing to its survival.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that e-cigarette users' mouths contain potent infection-causing organisms, similar to those found in people with periodontitis. The study suggests that vaping can lead to gum disease and cancer, even in healthy individuals who have not smoked. The findings challenge the claim that e-cigarettes...
Scientists at KIT have developed a programmable biohybrid material system that uses bacteria to generate power. The system consists of a nanocomposite and the Shewanella oneidensis bacterium, which produces electrons. The team achieved controlled electron flow with increasing bacterial cells on the conductive matrix.
The study created flexible single crystal electronic systems by using organic semiconductors that can be stretched over 10%, exceeding the elastic limit of most single crystals. This breakthrough could enable new applications in sensors and robotics.
Researchers discovered mathematical relationships describing gut microbiome dynamics, including Taylor's power law and drift rates. These principles help identify abnormal bacterial behavior and predict how dietary changes affect microbiomes.
A new dataset and diagnostic platform have been developed to help tomato growers detect and prevent bacterial canker, a disease caused by Clavibacter michiganensis. The platform uses genetic regions specific to the pathogen, reducing false positives and making it easier for growers to screen infected plant and seed materials.
Scientists have discovered that Thermus thermophilus can produce two types of type IV pili: one specialized for movement and the other for genetic exchange. This finding could lead to the development of new antimicrobial drugs targeting specific mechanisms.
Researchers from SMART have discovered a new defence mechanism found in some bacteria that uses phosphorothioates to protect their DNA. This discovery enables scientists to tackle existing challenges in bacterial resistance to antibiotics and has huge implications for phage therapy.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and the University of Exeter have found that Thermus thermophilus bacteria possess two types of tiny surface hairs, or pili, with different functions. The thick pili are used for DNA capture, while the thin pili facilitate movement on surfaces.
Researchers have developed a sensitive and specific assay to detect different serotypes of Salmonella, enabling rapid tracing of infection origins. The new DNA test can distinguish between subtypes of Salmonella in just eight minutes and has the potential to simplify and accelerate food-borne illness investigations.
Researchers from Skoltech and international collaborators investigated the BREX defense mechanism, which bacteria use to protect themselves from viral infection. They found that a multipurpose viral protein called Ocr can mimic DNA and disable this defense system.
Researchers found that syphilis bacteria alter a single gene, called tprK, which provides instructions for a protein on its surface. This change allows the bacterium to evade the immune system and resist eradication, contributing to its ability to hide in the body for decades.
Researchers have characterized how the gut microbiome develops in the first hours of infancy, providing a critical baseline for understanding the impact on health and disease later in life. The study found that multiple strains of bacteria emerged early, influencing metabolite levels and protein consumption.
Researchers identified bacterial exchange of genes allowing resistance to antibiotics, highlighting the complex process and potential for frequent sharing in hospital settings. The study's findings have implications for designing new strategies to prevent and control multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Researchers used advanced imaging to study proteins at the molecular level in live E. coli bacteria. Silver ions caused paired DNA strands to separate and protein binding to weaken, resulting in faster protein movement. This new understanding could help develop better antibiotics using silver nanoparticles.
Researchers at University of California San Diego discovered that internal circadian clocks regulate DNA uptake in cyanobacteria, increasing its efficiency during nighttime hours. This finding highlights the crucial role of synchronizing biological processes with environmental rhythms for human health and disease prevention.
Researchers have created a material that supports the growth of exoelectrogenic bacteria while efficiently conducting electricity in a controlled manner. By incorporating DNA strands into a nanocomposite scaffold, they can tailor the conductivity and properties of the material by varying the size and sequence of the DNA fragments.
Researchers discovered a community of bacteria as dense as the human gut living in tiny clay-filled cracks in solid rock millions of years old. The bacteria's presence suggests that life can thrive in conditions similar to those on Mars, where nutrient availability may be limited.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen discovered that type IV CRISPR-Cas systems are used by plasmid parasites to battle each other for control of a host bacterium. This finding reveals that CRISPR has multiple uses beyond defense against viruses.
The study reveals that microbial biofilms on the tongue have a complex spatial organization, with key bacterial genera such as Actinomyces, Rothia, and Streptococcus. The images show patchy community structure, with consorcia dominated by single taxa, and suggest a model for how these communities are generated.
Researchers at Linköping University discover that bacteria, not human cells, are responsible for the detection of epigenetic mark 6mdA. The team finds multiple methods used to detect 6mdA produce false positive results due to bacterial contamination and technical issues.
Children's National Hospital researchers isolated bacterial extracellular vesicles from healthy donors, revealing the gut microbiome communicates with the brain. The discovery could lead to a novel way of addressing antibiotic resistance by targeting bacteria-derived RNA.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new strategy to destroy antibiotic-resistant genes, known as superbugs, in sewage system wastewater. The nano technology traps and degrades these genetic remnants before they can infect other bacteria.
A new light-activated coating has been developed that successfully kills bacteria in low-intensity ambient light, including <em>Clostridioides difficile</em> and <em>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</em>. The coating works by producing hydrogen peroxide, a mild reagent used in contact lens cleaner solutions.
Researchers discovered 46 drugs that block bacterial competence, preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance in mice and human lung cells. These 'anti-evolution drugs' could be combined with antibiotics to extend their lifespan.
Researchers at Hubrecht Institute and Princess Máxima Center found that Escherichia coli bacteria induce unique DNA mutations in human cells, similar to those found in colon cancer patients. The study establishes a direct link between the microbes inhabiting our bodies and genetic alterations that drive cancer development.
Researchers found unique DNA damage patterns in cells lining the gut and bowel cancer tumours, linked to a specific strain of E. coli toxin colibactin. The discovery could enable early detection and prevention of bowel cancer through targeted screening tests.
A recent study published in Nature found that CRISPR anti-viral immunity is often a disadvantage to bacteria when infected by certain viruses. The research suggests that triggering the powerful defense systems can be risky for a bacterium, leading to significant implications for treatment design.
Researchers identified a unique collection of gut bacteria associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), predicting its presence with 83% accuracy. This discovery may lead to new therapies targeting the digestive system and improving PAH diagnosis.
Bacteria can coexist through a simple mechanism where movement drives ecosystem diversity and stability. The active migration of organisms can keep different bacterial strains together, allowing them to survive alongside each other.
Researchers discovered Woeseiales bacteria, thriving in deep-sea environments, with an estimated 5 x 10^26 cells worldwide. These microbes likely facilitate protein degradation and nitrogen cycling in marine sediments.
Researchers found over 350 huge phages with genomes four times larger than average, including the largest bacteriophage to date. These viruses carry genes normally found in bacteria and use them against their hosts, bridging the gap between non-living and living organisms.
A group of ITMO University researchers analyzed the Moscow Subway and found a microbiome similar to that of New York's public transportation. The study used high-throughput DNA sequencing and discovered identical types of bacteria, including Dietzia, Brevundimonas, and Pseudomonas.
Researchers identified 351 large phages carrying bacterial genes, including CRISPR and ribosomal proteins, which blur the line between life and non-life. These enormous phages use these genes against their bacterial hosts and have the potential to provide new tools for genome engineering.
A signaling molecule, c-di-GMP, initiates a clock-like mechanism in bacteria that determines individual reproduction. The molecule activates enzymes called kinases, which prepare the cell for division under favorable living conditions.
A novel technique called SAG-gel allows for the simultaneous analysis of multiple draft genomes from raw data, identifying bacteria that respond to dietary fiber without reference genomes. The study reveals specific gene clusters and metabolic pathways involved in breaking down inulin.
Scientists investigated allolysis, a phenomenon where bacteria kill genetically identical neighbors under certain conditions. This process may help develop new antibacterial medicines by targeting community dynamics rather than individual cell killing.
Researchers have identified 10 compounds with insecticidal activity produced by symbiotic microbes in a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, potentially leading to new natural pesticides. The substances were strongly toxic to aphids and moderately toxic to spider mites.
Researchers discovered that a 'frameshift mutation' in TB bacteria's RpoB gene makes them resistant to rifampicin. The mutation suppresses the effect of the frameshift, allowing the bacteria to survive and thrive.
A Northwestern University study found that indoor dust bacteria can transfer antibiotic resistance genes, potentially making infections more difficult to treat. The researchers believe this could lead to the spread of resistant pathogens, highlighting the need for increased caution in managing indoor environments.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that aged urine can be used as a fertilizer with low risks of transferring antibiotic resistant DNA. The 'aging' process deactivates 99% of antibiotic resistant genes in bacteria, making it a promising alternative to traditional fertilizers.
A study by Krista Wigginton and colleagues found that urine-derived fertilizer loses 99% of its ability to confer resistance on soil bacteria after incubation. This suggests that upcycling urine is unlikely to transfer antibiotic resistance, reducing the environmental impact of this sustainable practice.
Bacterial autoimmunity occurs when the CRISPR-Cas system targets viral DNA incorporated into the host genome, leading to damaging autoimmunity. The absence of this key immune system can be beneficial for bacterial survival and proliferation. Anti-CRISPR proteins also provide protection for the host by disabling its immune system.
A new technique developed at the University of Michigan uses bacteria to produce billions of different drug candidates that won't fall apart quickly inside the body. The peptides on bacteria are so plentiful that researchers can see how well they work right on the bacterium, enabling them to test hundreds of millions of different designs.
Researchers use a new method combining visual microscopic observations and photoemission spectrum registration to create a map of cell surface physical and chemical state. The team studied Escherichia coli cells, which produce ferritin-like proteins that can be used for nanosized constructions.
Scientists at University of Gothenburg discovered a new species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Scandinavium goeteborgense, isolated from an infected wound. The bacteria exhibit novel genetic variants of resistance, highlighting the need for precise treatment choices.
Researchers found that human fetal lung microbiomes show changes in diversity during fetal development, with some taxonomic overlap between the placental and lung microbiomes. The study suggests that maternal-fetal microbial DNA transfer may play a role in normal lung and immune system development.