Articles tagged with Bacterial Genetics
A new study at Caltech describes a mechanism for bacterial biofilms to induce the transformation of marine invertebrates from larvae to adults. Researchers discovered that phage tail-like structures, similar to those used by viruses to inject genetic material into bacteria, play a crucial role in this process.
A new study found that the human body louse can transmit bacterial infections to humans, while the human head louse does not. The researchers discovered that several immune genes were regulated differently in head and body lice after infection with the bacteria, and the infection progressed further in body lice over time.
Researchers at UH Manoa discovered a biological trigger behind marine biofouling, where certain bacteria induce larval metamorphosis. This process has implications for boat owners and the mariculture industry, which rely on larval settlement to create new communities.
Researchers created a robust synthetic genetic clock in E. coli bacteria to regulate protein production accurately across a wide temperature range. The breakthrough resolves a long-standing problem in synthetic biology and has potential applications in biotechnology and reprogramming cellular regulatory mechanisms.
The MRSA USA300 strain acquired genes from skin bacteria, allowing it to thrive on human skin where other strains cannot. This adaptation enabled the strain to dominate and spread rapidly across the US, becoming the leading cause of community-acquired MRSA infections.
Researchers have mapped every salmonella gene's response to human body environments, providing a detailed picture of the bacterium's choreographed infection process. This knowledge could lead to targeted therapies and vaccines specifically designed to combat salmonella's strategies for survival within the human body.
A new model from Uppsala University predicts how bacteria can rapidly adapt to environmental changes through smart regulation of gene expression. The study shows the ultimate limit for bacterial protein level adjustments in response to changing environments.
Researchers have found that manipulating cyanobacteria's clock genes can increase its production of commercially valuable biomolecules. The study discovered that locking the biological clock into a daytime setting increased the amount of biomolecules produced by up to 700 percent.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology find gene eud-1 that determines wide-mouthed predators and narrow-mouthed bacteria eaters, providing insight into phenotypic plasticity. The discovery sheds light on how organisms adapt to changing environments and challenges current understanding of evolutionary adaptations.
Researchers have discovered a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus that causes immune-system cells in the skin to react and produce eczema-like rashes. The finding suggests a specific mechanism behind the link between staph bacteria and eczema, which could lead to new treatments.
Researchers at UT Southwestern have developed a new type of antibiotic called PPMO that successfully killed a multidrug-resistant germ common to health care settings. The technology targets specific genes essential for bacterial reproduction and offers promise against the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
A mathematical modeling study suggests that a new approach could reduce or eliminate the deadly disease African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, by creating a genetically modified version of the Sodalis bacteria to kill the parasite. The approach, which uses Wolbachia bacteria to drive the GMO version into fly populati...
Researchers found resistance genes for five common antibiotics and the Clostridium botulinum toxin gene in vacuum dust, which could lead to infant botulism infections. The study suggests that vacuum cleaners can act as a vehicle for indoor bioaerosol exposure.
Research shows that genetic factors and dietary choices interact to shape the microbiome in the host intestine. This combination determines the presence and activity of specific microbes, which can affect digestive health and increase the risk for conditions like Crohn's disease.
A new pathway has been identified by UNC researchers that triggers septic shock, a condition where the immune system overreacts to bacterial infections. The pathway involves two sensors: one outside and one inside cells, both detecting lipopolysaccharide, a molecule found in bacterial cell membranes.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis originated in Africa at least 70,000 years ago. The bacteria have a strikingly close genetic match with humans, suggesting a long history of co-evolution. This has led to the development of new strategies for disease control and may help predict future patterns of the disease.
Research shows that bacteria living in Gulf of Mexico beaches can thrive on a diet of oil by fixing nitrogen from the air, opening doors to more sophisticated cleanup techniques. However, some bacteria play an important role in the ecosystem experienced a sharp decline following the contamination.
A team of scientists has discovered a mechanism by which beneficial bacteria reside and thrive in the gastrointestinal tract. By understanding how these microbes colonize, they may be able to correct abnormal changes in bacterial communities linked to disorders like obesity and inflammatory bowel disease.
A new study found that a type of MRSA originated in cattle at least 40 years ago, with genetic evidence tracing two subtypes back to farm animals. Researchers suggest direct contact between people and livestock may have transmitted the bacteria.
Researchers visualized live bacterial cell-to-cell communication pathways using a new method. They successfully showed that modified signaling molecules selectively bind to QS receptors in certain bacterial species, enabling the detection of receptor localization inside cells.
Research by UCLA mathematician Marcus Roper reveals that fungus cells use a dynamic movement of nuclei to keep them well mixed, benefiting the organism's infectiousness. The flow is propelled by pressure gradients across the colony, optimizing nuclear mixing for maximum advantage.
New research correlates oral ingestion of antibiotics with rapid rise in resistance. Alternative routes like injection may slow the spread of resistance genes. The study found that oral administration led to faster development of resistance in mice compared to injection.
The researchers discovered that altering the expression of the glgS gene affects the production of structures involved in bacterial pathogenicity, which indirectly impacts glycogen production. This finding may provide clues for future strategies to combat bacterial infections by modulating glycogen production.
Researchers discover gut viruses confer antibiotic resistance to bacteria by transferring genes that help them withstand multiple antibiotics, raising concerns about the emergence of superbugs and the need for a new approach to mitigate development of antibiotic resistance
Researchers found that young birds have a diverse range of bacteria in their guts, while adults have a more stable community of species. As birds mature, the number of bacterial species decreases, and a stable community forms.
A study found that symbiotic bacteria in squids use light and chemical signals to control circadian-like rhythms in the animals. The bacteria entrain gene expression in the squid's head, cycling proteins to synchronize daily rhythms. This discovery has implications for understanding clock genes in other animals, including humans.
Researchers genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to metabolize caffeine, enabling its use for decontamination of wastewater and production of medications for asthma. This breakthrough could also lead to the development of a sensor to measure caffeine levels in beverages.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a process to produce fatty acids from plant biomass using genetically modified E. coli bacteria. The new method has shown significant improvements in yield and efficiency, with the potential to produce millions of tons of fuel per year.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute used sophisticated computer modeling and biotechnology to target ROS production in E. coli, rendering the bacteria more susceptible to existing antibiotics. The study provides a promising approach to boost the global antibiotic arsenal against deadly superbugs like tuberculosis.
A new strain of MRSA has emerged that can spread beyond hospital walls, putting everyone at risk. Researchers have identified a gene that causes this strain to linger on the skin longer than other strains, making it more susceptible to polyamines, which can be toxic to other forms of the bacteria.
A new study suggests that up to one million marine species may inhabit the world's oceans. The current number of identified species is around 230,000, but estimates vary widely, ranging from 540,000 to 972,000. Despite this uncertainty, researchers agree that only about 1/3 of ocean biodiversity has been discovered.
Researchers at UTHealth have developed a new technique to test 15 times more bacterial genes than previous years, uncovering potential roles in infection. The study could lead to vaccine candidates, better diagnostic tools, and targeted drug intervention.
Researchers have shown how living organisms evolve new functions from limited genes by duplicating and mutating existing genes. The 'innovation, amplification and divergence' model explains how a newly duplicated gene sticks around long enough to pick up a useful new function.
Researchers have made progress in tackling C. difficile infections using mouse models and human patients, with potential treatments including an oral medication and genetic mutation detection. The studies found that administering an oral supplement can prevent CDI, while detecting a specific gene mutation may predict recurrent infections.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have discovered a novel set of genes essential for the growth of potentially lethal, drug-resistant bacteria A. baumannii. The study reveals multiple new drug targets for this human infection and suggests that laboratory conditions may not be ideal for identifying antimicrobial drug targets.
A Rice University researcher has received a National Institutes of Health grant to study the effects of delay in gene transcription on cellular processes. The goal is to create techniques for generating and analyzing models of gene networks that incorporate delay, which can help predict how genetic networks function and fail.
Researchers have developed genetically modified bacteria that can prevent mosquitoes from transmitting malaria by killing the parasite. The modified bacteria were found to be 98% effective in reducing the malaria parasite burden in mosquitoes, with an 84% decrease in mosquito prevalence.
A study published in the Genetics Society of America's journal found that genes responsible for immune response at youth are almost completely different from those in middle age. This discovery opens doors to understanding genetic interactions underlying why older people struggle more with infections.
A new study by American Chemical Society researchers suggests that long-term irrigation with treated wastewater does not enhance antibiotic resistance in soil microbial communities, indicating a safer alternative for water-scarce areas.
A study found that concentrated milk fats alter the composition of gut bacteria, disrupting the balance between the immune system and beneficial microbes. This can lead to an unregulated immune response, increasing the risk of inflammatory bowel disease in genetically prone individuals.
Researchers found a new genetic mechanism that bacteria use to cause shigellosis, increasing its virulence. This discovery could lead to the development of targeted treatments for this deadly disease.
Native gut bacteria help fend off invaders, suggesting ways to prevent or treat deadly forms of E. coli by selectively removing nutrients and boosting others. The study also identifies potential targets for prevention and treatment using antibiotics.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a parallel between bacterial and human cell behavior, shedding light on potential treatments for diseases. The study found that nitric oxide plays a fundamental regulatory role in controlling bacterial function via S-nitrosylation.
Researchers discovered that maize crops emit chemicals attracting growth-promoting microbes to live amongst their roots. This attracts beneficial bacteria, making important nutrients like iron and phosphorous more available, and competing against harmful bacteria.
Salmonella causes food poisoning, killing around 400,000 people worldwide every year. Researchers have discovered multiple gene switches that control the bacteria's weapon systems, offering new ways to curb human infection. The discovery could lead to the development of antibiotics to reduce disease caused by Salmonella.
A new genetic study reveals that head and body lice are the same species, despite their distinct characteristics. The research compared protein-coding genes expressed during both life cycles, finding only minor differences in sequences.
A new population of lab mice developed by Tel Aviv University offers 1,000 genetic strains for research into human diseases. This increase in genetic diversity enables researchers to identify gene associations within two to three years, compared to the previous 10-15 year timeframe.
A genetic study in Vietnam aims to find out why only one in ten people carrying the tuberculosis bacterium become sick. The research, led by Australian scientist Dr Greg Fox, seeks to identify genes that increase TB risk.
A recent study by IU biologist Irene Newton found that genetically diverse honey bee colonies have fewer pathogens and more beneficial bacteria. The research also identified four important microbes associated with fermentation in humans and other animals.
Researchers engineered a hybrid gene that recognizes and destroys Xylella fastidiosa bacteria, reducing leaf scorching and xylem clogging in grapevines. This breakthrough could lead to significant resistance against Pierce's disease, which has already destroyed thousands of acres of California vineyards.
Yale University researchers found that the circadian clock regulates a key immune system gene response to bacteria and viruses, suggesting that sleep patterns disruptions contribute to illnesses. The study also suggests that timing of vaccinations may be improved based on jet lag influence on immune system.
Tel Aviv University engineers have developed an efficient liquid solution that can alter the genetic make-up of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making them sensitive again. The solution is easy to prepare and apply, and non-toxic, with potential to be added to antibacterial cleansers.
A new study finds that sewage treatment plants can be a significant source of antibiotic-resistant genes in waterways. Researchers detected three genes that make bacteria resistant to tetracycline antibiotics at a facility on Lake Superior, highlighting the potential for even high-tech plants to contribute to the problem.
Researchers found diverse bacterial communities in public restroom surfaces, with human skin being the primary source of bacteria. The study suggests that proper hygiene practices can help identify and mitigate the spread of pathogens through contaminated building surfaces.
The widespread use of antibiotics in animal farming creates an environment for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to multiply and spread to humans. Studies show that up to 90% of antibiotics given to livestock are excreted into the environment, contributing to resistance genes and promoting infection risk.
Researchers found that certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria have genetic variants that enable them to form biofilms on cardiac devices. This discovery offers clues for preventing infections in patients with implanted devices, which currently cost thousands of dollars and millions of dollars in healthcare costs each year.
Researchers found that specific genetic variants in Staph surface proteins create stronger bonds with human blood proteins, leading to infection. The study aims to develop techniques to prevent these infections by understanding the initial step of biofilm formation.
Researchers designed a synthetic genetic circuit that creates a striped pattern, using genes from one species of bacterium and inserting them into another. By controlling the rate at which cells move, they can create distinct patterns with concentric rings of crowded and dispersed bacterial cells.
Scientists analyzed polymorphisms in the MIF gene to identify its role against bacterial infections. The study found specific variants that protect against meningitis and increase mortality.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and international partners analyzed raw sewage for novel viruses using metagenomics, a new computational tool. They found 234 known viruses from 26 families, with most being previously undiscovered.