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Protein engineered to detect nerve gas

Duke University Medical Center biochemists have successfully engineered a protein that can detect nerve agents like soman and sarin. The proteins could be incorporated into detectors, resembling smoke detectors, to provide early warning and monitor levels.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2004

Compound in salsa may fight food poisoning

A new study isolated a compound called dodecenal from fresh cilantro leaves, which is found in salsa, and showed it to be twice as potent as the antibiotic gentamicin at killing Salmonella. The researchers believe that eating more fresh salsa could help prevent foodborne illness.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 24, 2004

Flagellation in Crohn disease

Researchers have identified a key antigen underlying Crohn disease, bacterial flagellin, which triggers an immune response. Studies found high reactivity against specific flagellins in CD patients, but not in controls or ulcerative colitis patients, providing new leads for causal antigens.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 3, 2004

Evolution caught in the act

A research team at the University of Michigan and the University of Texas describes how a resourceful bacterium developed an entirely new way to make disulfide bonds. This breakthrough could have significant implications for disease states like Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis, as well as biotech applications.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateFeb 19, 2004

A killer microbe as a living antibiotic

Researchers have unraveled the complete genome sequence of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, a predatory bacterium that can degrade complex biopolymers in other bacteria. The study may lead to novel anti-microbial substances and the development of a 'living antibiotic' as a potential therapeutic agent.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 29, 2004

Newly identified gut protein kills bacteria

Researchers have discovered a novel protein, Ang4, produced by Paneth cells in the intestinal lining that can kill certain types of gut microbes. This finding suggests that Ang4 may play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and preventing infection.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·DateJan 26, 2003

Bacterial protein kills tumors

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have isolated a protein from bacteria that kills cancer cells without causing harm. The protein, azurin, was tested in mice with human melanomas and showed significant tumor shrinkage, with no deaths or adverse reactions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 25, 2002

Fluid forces within the body help invasive bacteria

Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that fluid forces in the human body help invasive bacteria, such as E. coli, thrive and adhere to surfaces. This finding has significant medical implications, including the potential for improved biomedical device safety and a better understanding of urinary tract infections.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCell·DateJun 27, 2002

Bacterial quorum-sensing structure solved

Researchers at Cornell University and Argonne National Laboratory have solved the structure of a key bacterial quorum-sensing protein, which could lead to new treatments for biofilm-related diseases. The discovery may also enable the design of targeted therapies to prevent harmful bacteria from forming biofilms.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 26, 2002

New method for 'visualizing' proteins

A new technique uses ESR to measure distances between atoms in proteins, revealing the overall structure of a molecule. This method is particularly useful for studying larger protein assemblies and membrane-embedded proteins, which are challenging to study using traditional methods.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 19, 2002