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'Good' bacteria is potential solution to unchecked inflammation seen in bowel diseases

Researchers found that adding back beneficial bacteria can help end a cycle of unchecked inflammation, suggesting a new treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. The study suggests targeting the inflammation downstream of NLRP12 with anti-inflammatory drugs or feeding specific beneficial bacteria to potentially lead to treatments.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 13, 2017

New drug lead identified in fight against TB

Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a new compound that could translate into a new drug lead for tuberculosis. The compound, which is derived from soil bacteria compounds, has been shown to be effective against the bacterium causing TB in containment laboratory tests.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 1, 2017

Rare proteins collapse earlier

A team of researchers led by Paola Picotti found that only a small fraction of key proteins denature at high temperatures, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery has implications for understanding protein stability and potentially improving the performance of heat-resistant bacteria for industrial processes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateFeb 28, 2017

Prebiotics may help to cope with stress

A recent study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience suggests that prebiotic fibers can promote beneficial gut bacteria and recovery of normal sleep patterns after a stressful event. Regular intake of prebiotics may provide a natural way to cope with stress and support overall health.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateFeb 10, 2017

How life survives: UNC researchers confirm basic mechanism of DNA repair

Scientists from UNC School of Medicine have confirmed the functions in bacterial cells of two important excision repair proteins, Mfd and UvrD, using an advanced sequencing technique. The study provides a genome-wide map of excision repair in bacteria and highlights the potential for developing novel antibiotic drugs.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2017

Proteins at the movies

Researchers have successfully filmed protein folding in three dimensions for the first time, enabling them to observe minute changes in protein structures during transformation. The technique, developed using Japan's XFEL facility, has significant implications for drug development and studying membrane transport proteins.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·DateDec 22, 2016

Researchers add to evidence that common bacterial cause of gum disease may drive rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers found a common bacterial cause of gum disease may trigger rheumatoid arthritis by inducing hypercitrullination, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. A study published in Science Translational Medicine identified Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans as the primary pathogen responsible for this process.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 14, 2016

An anti-CRISPR for gene editing

Scientists have isolated three families of proteins that can turn off CRISPR-Cas9 systems specifically used for gene editing. This discovery offers a new strategy to prevent unintended changes in the genome, making gene editing more precise and controlled.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateDec 8, 2016

Oxygen can wake up dormant bacteria for antibiotic attacks

A team of researchers has identified an oxygen-dependent toxin antitoxin system that can be targeted to inhibit biofilm formation and combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. By understanding the molecular mechanisms behind this system, scientists hope to develop more effective antimicrobials.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2016

Bacteria: Third RNA binding protein identified

Scientists at University of Würzburg have discovered a third RNA binding protein, ProQ, which controls gene activity and allows bacteria to quickly adapt to changing conditions. ProQ binds to nearly 100 regulatory RNAs in Salmonella enterica, influencing their activities.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2016

Eating may trigger bacterial therapy

Researchers at Rice University have received a $2 million NIH grant to create a library of programmed bacteria that can produce therapeutic drugs on-site in response to dietary triggers. The project aims to advance the development of a biological control system for safely and effectively turning bacteria on and off.

DFG to fund 7 new research units

The DFG is funding seven new research units with a total of approximately €15 million. The units will focus on various topics such as building design, metal-organic frameworks, and autoimmune diseases like pemphigus. The funding will enable researchers to pursue current issues in their fields and establish innovative directions.

Molecules released by Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterium pave the way for invasive infection

Researchers found that Klebsiella pneumoniae siderophores play a crucial role in facilitating invasive infection by triggering inflammation and activating HIF-1 alpha, allowing bacteria to spread from the lungs to the spleen. The study suggests that therapies targeting siderophore production could provide a two-pronged attack against K...

Bacteria supply their allies with munitions

Bacteria can share molecular spear guns and toxic molecules with closely related strains, allowing them to reuse proteins and produce new weapons. This cooperation enables bacteria to form a survival advantage against competitors, recycling harpooned proteins and toxins to assemble their own T6SSs.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCell·DateSep 8, 2016

Bacterial membrane vesicles can cause preterm birth

Research reveals GBS produces membrane-bound vesicles containing toxins and immune-modulators that can attack the host, leading to inflammation of membranes surrounding the fetus. The study shows that these vesicles can induce preterm birth and fetal injury in mice, with approximately 60% of fetuses born prematurely.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateSep 1, 2016

How Lyme disease bacteria spread through the body

Researchers have developed a live-cell-imaging-based system that reveals the molecular and biomechanical mechanisms of Lyme disease bacteria's ability to spread through blood vessels. The study found that BBK32 plays a crucial role in stabilizing bacterial-vascular interactions, and bacteria use bungee-cord-like tethers to move along e...

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 25, 2016