Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Gut bacteria produce inositol lipids, vital for cellular processes in humans, and these substances impact the symbiosis between bacteria and their hosts. The discovery sheds light on how gut bacteria thrive in their human hosts.
Scientists have found that prior exposure to Staphylococcus aureus prevents effective vaccination due to immune response memory. To overcome this, the research suggests targeting only the protective component of the protein IsdB, generating a more effective vaccine against MRSA.
Researchers have designed a new vaccine candidate using bacterial vesicles coated on gold nanoparticles to deliver antigens and stimulate an immune response against tuberculosis. The use of outer membrane vesicles has shown promise in inducing a better immune response compared to traditional subunit vaccines.
Research at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz reveals Photorhabdus luminescens can protect plants from fungal infection, colonizing the fungus's hyphae and breaking down its cell wall. This secondary cell form also promotes plant growth and offers new potential for biological crop protection.
A heat-loving bacterium's Cas13 protein enables specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in a one-pot assay. The technology has been patented and clinically validated, with the aim of mass production and commercialization.
Researchers explore the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols, including sources and detection strategies. The study highlights the need for monitoring and understanding the relationship between human, animal, and environmental microbiomes to counter the spread of AR.
A research group has discovered that a coral pathogen, Vibrio coralliilyticus, kills non-pathogenic competitors in the coral microbiota through prophage induction. This process involves the generation of hydrogen peroxide, which eliminates harmless bacteria and allows the pathogen to outcompete and colonize the coral.
Researchers have deciphered the exact bacterial adhesion mechanism using Bartonella henselae, revealing a key role for trimeric autotransporter adhesins and their interaction with fibronectin. Experimental blocking of these processes almost entirely prevents bacterial adhesion.
A new therapeutic target for melioidosis has been identified by researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology. The enzyme BurG synthesizes a toxic molecule central to infection, and inhibiting it could make bacteria less virulent.
New research reveals that specific proteins in plant cells explain why plant defenses falter under high temperatures, leaving them susceptible to infections. Scientists have also discovered a way to reverse this effect by constantly activating the CBP60g master switch gene, which bolsters plant defenses without stunting growth.
Researchers from the University of Würzburg have developed precision antibacterials using mRNA technology, targeting specific genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The study shows that these active agents can effectively block only one specific gene, and reducing their size to nine base pairs can minimize non-specific binding.
A new biodegradable food packaging system reduces microbial contamination and extends shelf life, reducing waste and foodborne illness. The system uses pullulan-based fibers with natural antimicrobial agents, demonstrating a significant reduction in contamination and an increase in avocado shelf life.
SeqScreen, an open-source software toolkit, accurately characterizes short DNA sequences to detect pathogenic sequences. The program uses a curated database of thousands of gene sequences representing 32 types of virulence functions.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered the skin's natural protection from nighttime bacterial invasion in mice, which may provide a basis for developing a drug treatment. The team found that epidermal CXCL14 is produced in a circadian rhythm-dependent manner, providing antimicrobial function against Staphylococcus aureus.
Researchers developed a new medical instrument called CAST-R-HP to diagnose and treat Helicobacter pylori infections. The tool performs rapid pathogen identification, metabolism inhibition-based antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and high-quality single-cell whole-genome sequencing.
Scientists detect a highly resistant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Austria, causing treatment failure with current antibiotics. The discovery highlights the urgent need for enhanced antimicrobial surveillance and development of novel treatments to combat this growing public health concern.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute identified genes and molecular pathways that control tolerance to pathogens in frog embryos, which are also found in mammals. The study suggests that increasing tolerance to pathogens could be an effective way to prevent death and disease without exacerbating antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have found a negative correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prevalence, suggesting the bacterium may protect against IBD. This is supported by studies showing improved gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of beneficial bacteria in H. pylori-infected individuals.
Researchers have discovered proteins that mediate intimate contacts between bacteria, enabling DNA transfer and resistance to antibiotics. Understanding this process can help develop new approaches to slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle sensor that can accurately distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia within two hours using a simple urine test. The sensor uses the host's immune response to infection, detecting specific protease patterns that serve as signatures of bacterial or viral infection.
A new preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers shows that naturally-produced IgG antibodies in breast milk can protect infants from infection-induced diarrheal illness. These antibodies enhance infant immunity against bacterial pathogens causing gastrointestinal diseases.
The CDC has published a new report detailing the county-level distribution of seven diseases spread by blacklegged ticks. The map highlights areas with reported infections and those without, emphasizing the need for public awareness and prevention measures.
Researchers at Rice University have developed molecular machines that can kill bacteria using visible light, targeting gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The breakthrough study uses rotors spinning at millions of times per second to break up biofilms and persister cells, making these infections more treatable.
Researchers from Arizona State University investigate autoantibodies in healthy individuals, revealing their pervasiveness and role in human health and disease. The findings aim to improve diagnostics and therapeutics for a range of illnesses.
A new study found that microgravity analog culture profoundly affects the microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models. This is critical for ensuring astronaut health on extended space missions and sheds light on mysterious processes of infection on Earth.
A new platform and genomic database has been developed to monitor and control multidrug-resistant bacteria, with over 500 human pathogens already available. The database aims to provide strategic information on microorganisms classified as a “critical priority” by the World Health Organization.
A new antibiotic, cilagicin, has been synthesized at Rockefeller University using computational models of bacterial gene products. The compound works by binding to both molecules in bacterial cell walls, making it resistant to resistance mechanisms. This novel approach to drug discovery may lead to a new generation of antibiotics.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that antibiotic-resistant plasmid molecules can spread quickly through bacterial communities, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This raises concerns about the potential for antimicrobial resistance to spread in environmental settings and impact human health.
A study by Flinders University researchers reveals how hospital bacteria adapt and resist antimicrobial medications, including colistin. The findings provide potential new therapies for treating multi-drug resistant bacterial infections, highlighting the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
Rice University bioengineers are developing optogenetic tools to study B. subtilis' stress response, combining experimental results with theoretical findings to understand genetic design principles. This research aims to reveal clues about bacterial survival and potentially lead to new antimicrobial drugs.
The partnership aims to accelerate projects targeting the most dangerous bacteria. Since its founding, CARB-X has awarded $361 million to 92 projects from 12 countries.
Researchers discovered that adaptive immune response against TB matures over time, with key players in immunity becoming activated by three months after infection. The emergence of these activated T cells is inversely correlated with the number of granuloma-contained live bacteria, suggesting they play critical roles in bacterial control.
Researchers at Stockholm University have identified a novel mechanism for regulating the supply of DNA building blocks, providing a potential new target for designing better antibiotics. By targeting the pathogen's ability to reproduce, scientists may be able to control the growth of bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
A new study published in Cell Host & Microbe finds that friendly bacteria in the gut, such as Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, can compete with harmful bacteria like Salmonella for energy resources like nitrate. This competition allows the probiotic to occupy both niches and protect against infection.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife have identified a novel species of pathogenic bacteria in onions, which can significantly impact marketable yield and quality. The discovery provides crucial information about the distribution and potential disease outbreaks of this newly documented pathogen, Pseudomonas uvaldensis sp. nov.
Chronic bacterial infections can lead to chronic inflammation and DNA damage, increasing CRC risk. Salmonella infections are particularly risky, as they impair immune responses and promote tumorigenesis.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that infected fruit flies continue to engage in courtship and mating behaviors, similar to uninfected flies. The study suggests that animals may invest more in reproduction when faced with a potential life threat, potentially to pass on genes to the next generation
Researchers at San Diego State University have identified rare genetic markers in M. tuberculosis that could improve early detection of drug-resistant strains of the disease, helping prevent their spread. These markers may help block common TB drugs from interfering with the pathogen's ability to synthesize proteins.
Researchers found that copper-coated surfaces significantly reduced viral load after one hour, while silver-coated surfaces had no effect on infectivity. The team investigated the antiviral properties of various metal-based sacrificial anodes and discovered a clear antiviral effect of copper against Sars-Cov-2.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered a mechanism Acinetobacter baumannii uses to survive in a dried state: producing hydrophilin proteins that protect against water loss. This finding could lead to new strategies for eliminating the pathogen from hospital surfaces.
Researchers have found a group of deep-sea bacteria that stick to plastic, allowing them to 'hitchhike' across the ocean and potentially enhancing microbial connectivity. These bacteria were discovered in the North-East Atlantic and include strains previously isolated from shipwrecks and extreme environments.
Researchers analyzed 451 bacterial strains of C. difficile, identifying 9,924 distinct gene clusters and categorizing them into 176 genetically distinct groups. The study provides new insights into the genetic diversity and evolution of this pathogen, shedding light on its virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance determinants.
A Belgian study found high levels of respiratory pathogens in air samples from nurseries, schools, and nursing homes during winter. The most frequently identified pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae, human bocavirus, and entero-/rhinovirus.
A preliminary study found that organic leafy greens are susceptible to contamination with disease-causing bacteria and protozoa, including Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Helicobacter. The presence of these pathogens inside free-living amoebae suggests a potential risk to public health through contaminated organic vegetables.
Researchers found a 1000-fold increase in skin microbiota and larger lesions after smallpox vaccination, but all groups had equal protection from re-infection. The study suggests that manipulating commensal skin microbiota might enhance the efficacy of intradermal vaccines.
A ground-breaking software combines DNA sequencing and machine learning to identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria transmission between humans, animals, and the environment. The study found antimicrobial genes shared across animals, farm workers, and environments, including unknown genes associated with resistance.
Research reveals that an imbalance in gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, may contribute to the development and progression of Parkinson's disease. Studies found a direct correlation between gut dysbiosis and Parkinson's, with certain bacteria contributing to protein aggregation and neuronal damage.
A new study found that microglia regulate neuronal subtypes differently in response to bacteria, affecting intrinsic excitability. Pyramidal cells exhibited lower excitability, while Purkinje cells showed higher excitability when modulated by microglia.
A team of researchers from Delft University of Technology has captured the sound of a single bacterium using a graphene membrane. The graphene drum detected tiny oscillations caused by the bacteria's flagella, which can be converted into a 'soundtrack' and listened to. This technology has enormous implications for detecting antibiotic ...
Researchers studied two strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with different lung attack mechanisms, finding that high-transmission strains trigger granulomas that may aid bacterial escape into the airways. In contrast, low-transmission strains cause inflammation that traps bacteria, reducing transmissibility.
Researchers discovered that bacterial virulence factor WtsE initiates mobilization of nutrients and water into spaces where the bacteria reside in infected maize plants. This process precedes death of plant cells and could inform future breeding practices to resist devastating corn diseases.
A study published by the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that T cell-derived interleukin-22 plays a crucial role in antibacterial defense of colonic crypts. The researchers discovered that two types of immune cells, innate and adaptive, have distinct roles in defending against pathogenic bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have made a groundbreaking discovery about how GI bacteria communicate with each other during gene transfers. This new understanding may lead to innovative approaches in preventing hospital infections without increasing antibiotic resistance.
The study found two DNA defense systems in Vibrio cholerae bacteria that work together to eliminate plasmids and prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance. These defense systems, called DdmDE and DdmABC, are encoded within distinct pathogenicity islands and help the bacteria survive pandemics.
A team of scientists has developed a solar-powered water filter that can remove pathogens, pesticides, and micropollutants from contaminated water. The filter uses titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowires and carbon nanotubes to produce reactive oxygen species that kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
A team from Goethe University has identified the spatial structure of the mannitol-synthesizing enzyme MtlD in Acinetobacter baumannii, which is crucial for its survival. This discovery could lead to the development of customized substances to inhibit the enzyme and combat this hospital pathogen.
A recent study demonstrated that fidaxomicin selectively targets Clostridium difficile (C. diff) while sparing other bacterial species. The researchers identified a specific amino acid on the RNAP enzyme as the Achilles heel responsible for fidaxomicin's killing power.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have discovered a physical mechanism that causes high doses of antibiotics to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance between bacteria. The culprit is an overabundance of 'jumping genes,' called transposons, which carry genetic instructions for resistance from cell's source code to plasmids.
A team of researchers from Osaka University successfully established a mouse model that can reproduce the severe and persistent cough of pertussis. They found that pertussis toxin, Vag8, and lipooligosaccharide are key bacterial factors involved in inducing coughing, which ultimately leads to bradykinin and TRPV1 signaling.
Researchers have developed a model to predict Vibrio vulnificus abundance in the canal by analyzing rainfall, water temperature, dissolved nutrients and organic matter. The study found that warmer waters due to climate change may lead to an increase of twice or three times current levels of bacteria by the end of the century.