Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
The NIH has funded two new bioinformatics resources at UT Southwestern to improve drug discovery and vaccine development. The BioHealthBase will focus on understanding how microbes establish infections, while the ImmPort system will integrate data from different biomedical research areas to identify disease-causing genes and proteins.
Researchers at the University of Florida have created a new method for detecting bacteria using bioconjugated nanoparticles, which can identify single E. coli bacteria in less than 20 minutes. This technology has significant implications for food safety and bioterrorism detection.
Researchers have discovered a key plant protein, VPEg, that plays a crucial role in defending plants against various pathogens by activating programmed cell death pathways. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of how plants control cell death and may lead to new strategies for improving crop resistance.
Purdue researchers develop a new optical biosensor that can detect minute quantities of Listeria monocytogenes in less than 24 hours. The sensor is selective enough to recognize only the species monocytogenes and has improved detection capabilities compared to existing commercial test kits.
Researchers found that bacteriophages can rapidly evolve new variants to target resistant bacteria, opening up possibilities for developing dynamic anti-microbial agents. The discovery could provide a renewable resource of smart antibiotics for treating bacterial diseases.
Researchers have cracked the genetic code of B. mallei, a highly evolved pathogen that causes glanders, an infectious equine disease. The study reveals a tightly regulated set of virulence genes and genomic instability, which may explain why B. mallei can evade host immune responses.
The study reveals that Strep bacteria employ a dual strategy to outsmart the immune system: producing a toxic 'sword' called hemolysin to kill immune cells, and an antioxidant 'shield' made of carotenoids to protect itself from oxidative damage. This unique approach makes GBS a more lethal pathogen.
A $18 million bioinformatics center will provide a single web-based entry point for infectious disease researchers to access data on hundreds of deadly microorganisms. The center aims to accelerate research into the biology and evolution of these pathogens, with a focus on eight key species.
Researchers discovered that Streptococcal bacteria use an enzyme called streptokinase to block the human blood clotting response and spread within the body. The study found that subtle variations in plasminogen genes may explain why some people are more susceptible to strep infections.
Researchers discovered that streptokinase, an enzyme produced by Streptococcus, enables its infection in humans while showing minimal activity against other mammals. The study creates a transgenic mouse model for studying human-specific microbes.
A computer simulation by Rice University scientists suggests that the ability to evolve can itself be favored through natural selection. This idea challenges traditional views and provides insights into the evolution of drug resistance in bacteria, immune system cells, and higher-order organisms.
Researchers have identified viral proteins that can kill specific bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, which cause various infections. These enzymes can be delivered orally or nasally to decolonize individuals in high-risk settings.
Researchers found that beneficial bacteria trigger proteins called Toll-like receptors to maintain intestinal epithelial cell health and activate machinery for tissue repair. These receptors play a crucial role in protecting tissues from damage and inducing recovery after injury.
Researchers found that babA protein, used by virulent H. pylori strains, has lost flexibility to bind to multiple blood types due to adaptation in Latin American populations. This discovery may lead to new approaches to prevent or decrease infections.
A study by Cornell University researchers found Listeria bacteria on foods in 47 out of 50 retail food stores, with 34% showing persistent strains after re-inspection. The bacteria were also found in seven food-processing plants, highlighting the need for improved control measures to prevent food contamination.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have determined the three-dimensional structure of sortase, an enzyme that attaches proteins to bacterial pathogens. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this enzyme, which is essential for bacterial survival and iron acquisition.
Researchers discovered that Salmonella bacteria can alter the lipid composition of a vacuole to avoid destruction by a lysozome, allowing it to survive and replicate rapidly. This remarkable mechanism may lead to new targets for therapeutic strategies to control food poisoning and typhoid fever.
The TIGR president discussed the significance of finding anthrax toxin genes in a naturally occurring microbe other than Bacillus anthracis. The study found these genes in a virulent strain of Bacillus cereus, suggesting natural horizontal gene transfer may have occurred.
Researchers from Duke University Medical Center used a common worm as a model to identify specific genes within Salmonella that enable the bacteria to infect host cells. The study found four genes required for maximum potency in infecting the worm, which are also present in human mammals.
The cytolethal distending toxin, a bacterial toxin that causes diseases such as typhoid fever and diarrhea, damages human DNA by creating lesions and breaks that prevent cells from dividing. This discovery provides a visual blueprint for understanding the toxin's mechanism and could lead to new drug targets to prevent cancer.
A new study by the American Society for Microbiology reveals that white tea extract is more effective than green tea at inactivating bacterial viruses and has an anti-fungal effect on certain fungi. The addition of white tea to toothpastes enhances their anti-microbial properties.
Nearly half of clinicians' neckties contained disease-causing bacteria, posing a significant risk to patient health. The study raises questions about the benefits of wearing neckties in healthcare settings.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy using live, crippled Salmonella bacteria that stimulate immunity to multiple pathogens. The vaccine protected mice 100% against lethal doses of both S. typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes.
A new protein, DEFB118, has been discovered in the male reproductive tract and has potent antibacterial activity. It may aid fertilization by protecting sperm from harmful organisms encountered in the female reproductive tract.
Researchers have discovered a molecule called ppGpp that plays a crucial role in regulating bacterial gene expression and survival. When amino acid levels are low, ppGpp accumulates and shuts down protein synthesis, allowing the cell to go dormant until conditions improve.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that Big Red chewing gum reduced anaerobic bacteria in saliva by over 50% and eliminated bad breath-causing bacteria. The gum's cinnamic aldehyde content proved effective against halitosis, a common oral health issue.
Researchers are developing bacterial cellulose-based products for various uses, including artificial blood vessels for microsurgery, electronic paper displays, and bioengineered wound dressings. These innovative materials have the potential to improve healing rates, reduce pain, and enhance medical outcomes.
Researchers have discovered profound differences in the gene content of T. denticola, an oral pathogen associated with gum disease, compared to other spirochetes that cause syphilis and Lyme disease. The study's findings highlight the power of comparative genomics in understanding how related pathogens can cause different diseases.
A consortium has launched a programme to develop a TB vaccine, with the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology developing a highly promising candidate. The vaccine aims to improve upon the existing BCG vaccine, which lacks effectiveness against pneumotuberculosis.
Researchers used gene chips to analyze the pattern of gene-expression changes for tuberculosis in a living host, discovering a specific set of genes activated after 21 days post-infection. This indicates that these genes help the pathogen survive within the host while avoiding detection by the immune system.
UCSD School of Medicine researchers have identified a mechanism leading to life-threatening infections, where PKR protein causes macrophages to die, allowing bacteria to spread. The discovery may help develop inhibitors for PKR, controlling nasty infections and reducing flu-related deaths.
The study reveals that people from different regions carry distinct strains of the tuberculosis bacteria, indicating sociological interactions play a key role in transmission. This finding has significant implications for vaccine development, potentially leading to region-specific vaccines.
Neutrophils can produce NETs, a net-like structure that binds, disarms, and kills bacteria. This novel defense mechanism was discovered by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology.
Researchers investigate how harmless bacteria trigger immune response, offering new insights into oral health and potential treatments for infections. Beta-defensins, natural antibiotics produced by the body, may hold key to preventing infection, according to expert Dr. Beverly Dale.
A Stanford study found that Listeria bacteria can survive for long periods outside of its hosts and thrive in the gall bladder, posing a risk of food poisoning. The research suggests that the organ's unique environment makes it an ideal place for the bacteria to grow, highlighting the need for improved hygiene practices.
A UCSD study found that inactivated probiotics can effectively alleviate colitis in mice, suggesting a new approach to IBD treatment. The study also identified the innate immune system as a key player in the beneficial effects of probiotics.
Researchers have developed a protective coating that prevents deadly post-operative infections from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a virulent pathogen that kills 100% of untreated mice. The coating, which works by pleasing the bacteria and preventing them from invading the host's bloodstream, has shown promising results in animal studies.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a new enzyme that can create antibiotic compounds by nature's machinery. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new antibiotics and combat antimicrobial resistance.
E. coli bacteria undergo four distinct developmental stages during UTIs, including a quiescent state that may create reservoirs for recurrent infections. Researchers hope to use these stages as guides for new drug development.
Researchers discovered that the alternative outer surface protein OspC facilitates Borrelia burgdorferi's invasion of tick salivary glands. Inhibiting OspC with antibodies can prevent B. burgdorferi from invading and transmitting to new hosts, offering a potential approach to reducing Lyme disease incidence.
Researchers identified 31 novel polypeptide families that inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth when expressed in bacteria. They used phage genomics to screen for small molecule inhibitors and found several compounds that inhibited bacterial growth and DNA synthesis.
The cold-chain hypothesis proposes that psychrotrophic bacteria in refrigerated foods contribute to Crohn's disease. These bacteria have been identified in disease lesions and may trigger excessive host responses.
Researchers found that a gene mutation led to a more deadly strain of tuberculosis, which spread rapidly in mice and caused increased bacterial load in organs. The mutated bacteria were able to evade the host's immune system, leading to severe infection and death.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered a new pathway, LRG-47, that can disarm TB and prevent its replication in mice. Strengthening this defense could lead to new treatments for latent TB infections, which affect an estimated 10 to 15 million people in the US.
Cumbre Inc. and University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have published data on a new class of bacterial RNA polymerase inhibitors with major breakthrough potential, offering a powerful tool to study gene expression mechanisms and developing new antibiotics against bacterial pathogens.
A new class of compounds called CBR703 series inhibit RNA polymerase, a key enzyme in gene expression, and hinder the ability of bacteria to perform crucial catalytic functions. The compounds render RNA polymerase useless by binding to a specific place on the enzyme.
Cystic fibrosis patients with inhaled antibiotics show improved lung function and reduced bacterial growth. Effective antibiotic therapy is essential for managing CF lung disease.
Researchers will analyze the external environment of tularemia bacteria, develop a vaccine for ricin, and engineer antibodies against anthrax. They will also work on developing drugs to treat Lassa fever and understand how plague blocks the immune system.
Researchers at PhageTech identified phage-derived antimicrobial proteins that inhibit bacterial growth and kill bacteria in diverse ways. The company's technology platform has led to the discovery of novel bacterial targets essential to bacterial growth, which are being screened for small molecule compounds as potential new antibiotics.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison uncover a potent toxin reveals new antibiotic resistance mechanism, where bacteria deploy a protein to intercept and inactivate the toxin. This mechanism points to the fact that bacteria continue to find new routes to evade antibiotics, threatening the fight against deadly bacteria.
Researchers at Virginia Tech used an atomic force microscope to measure the sticking efficiency of live Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. They found that the bacteria were surprisingly robust and could withstand various conditions, which can help design more effective filters for water treatment.
A genetically engineered strain of lactobacillus could significantly inhibit HIV infection in humans, offering a safe and long-lasting way to protect women. The research uses naturally colonizing bacteria to block and inactivate viruses before they reach host cells.
Researchers identified 80 genes in the blood-brain barrier activated by Group B Streptococcus, a leading cause of bacterial meningitis. These genes triggered an immune response by mobilizing neutrophils to combat infection.
Researchers at the NIH/NIAID have discovered that streptococcal infections trigger altered gene expression in neutrophil white blood cells, exposing potential targets for new treatments. The findings provide insight into how these common bacteria evade immune defenses.
The sequenced genome of Pseudomonas syringae provides a blueprint for understanding its virulence and pathogenesis, shedding light on the complex mechanisms behind bacterial disease
The sequencing of Pseudomonas syringae genome will help scientists understand how bacteria adapt to host organisms, enabling the development of new therapies. The genome also reveals commonalities between plant and animal pathogens.
The US Army has awarded a $1 million grant to Virginia Tech researcher Thomas J. Inzana to develop a vaccine and diagnostic test for tularemia, also known as 'rabbit fever'. The goal is to create an effective vaccine that can stimulate the production of proteins that stimulate T-cells of the cellular immune system.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute identify a single protein called Trif that associates with different receptors to detect pathogens, triggering immune reactions. The protein could be a potential target for intervening in diseases like sepsis.
A joint U.S.-Georgian team aims to develop a novel treatment against bacterial pathogens causing salmonella infection. The grant supports phage therapy research to prevent massive outbreaks and address growing antibiotic resistance.
NYU researchers identify a gene, luxS, necessary for robust growth of the bacterium in test tubes. This discovery opens up new avenues for developing antagonists or inhibitors to control anthrax, a highly lethal bacterial infection.