Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Phage resistant Escherichia coli strains developed to reduce fermentation failure

Researchers have developed a systematic strategy for creating phage-resistant E. coli strains, solving a major problem in industrial fermentation. The approach integrates a defense system and mutations to restrict phage life cycle, maintaining bacterial functionality and productivity.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2022

Researchers lift the veil on stubborn probiotic

NC State researchers discovered a new way to make the difficult-to-characterize gut bacterium Bifidobacterium more responsive to antibiotics. They also found tiny changes in different strains that reflect large differences in their characteristics, highlighting the need for individualized CRISPR-based genome engineering approaches.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

New type of pneumococcal vaccine developed by KI scientists

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a new vaccine candidate based on nano-sized membrane vesicles that provide protection against multiple pneumococcal strains. The vaccine target two conserved lipoproteins MalX and PrsA, showing serotype-independent cross-protection.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2022

Finding new weapons in nature's battlesites

A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology has identified 1,000 biosynthetic gene clusters, over half of which are previously unknown. These natural products have been found to be eukaryotic proteasome inhibitors that suppress the immune system of insects, as well as other virulence factors.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 28, 2022

Striking lane-like patterns found in bacteria populations

Researchers from OIST found that Escherichia coli bacteria form lanes of genetically similar individuals when constrained to a channel, aligning parallel to the barriers. The study, published in PNAS, used microfluidic platforms and simulations to observe population dynamics over several generations.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2022

Patient safety program reduces unnecessary antibiotic use in long-term care facilities

A study published in JAMA Network Open shows that a comprehensive system to improve antibiotic stewardship in long-term care facilities significantly reduces the use of antibiotics, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced drug-resistant bacterial strains. The program empowered clinicians to make informed decisions about prescrib...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 28, 2022

Understanding bacterial biofilms

Researchers are exploring how bacteria form biofilms, which can be detrimental to health but also have potential uses in medicine and environmental cleanup. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind microbial growth in biofilms and develop new materials and treatments.

SMART researchers discover unique lysin capable of killing deadly multidrug-resistant bacteria

SMART researchers identified a novel phage lysin, Abp013, with promising antimicrobial ability against Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The study demonstrated Abp013's ability to effectively target complex bacterial environments and could advance treatment methods for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalAntibiotics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2022

Tracking down the origin of cholera pandemics

Researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism that contributed to the emergence of the seventh cholera pandemic. The study found that modified Vibrio cholerae bacteria used their type 6 secretion system (T6SS) to outcompete and kill older strains, leading to their displacement.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2022

Experimental treatment with enzyme protects mice from lethal anthrax infection

Scientists have developed an enzyme that degrades the capsule surrounding the bacterium that causes anthrax, reducing virulence and protecting mice from infection. The treatment, known as PEG-CapD-CPS334C, is a promising avenue for treating multidrug-resistant anthrax and other bacterial infections.

SourceUS Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2021

Warning over antibiotic-resistant bacteria

A study by Anglia Ruskin University has identified potentially dangerous Pseudomonas bacteria in 21% of wild bird faeces collected from locations near the River Cam. The bacteria, which can be passed on to humans through cross-contamination, were resistant to multiple antibiotics.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateNov 17, 2021

A way in: Newly-identified state in bacteria has major implications for antibiotic treatment and resistant strains

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover a 'disrupted' state in bacteria that resists current antibiotics, requiring new pharmacological agents to combat. The breakthrough model predicts bacterial population responses to treatments, offering avenues for better treatments against cancer cells.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021

Large-scale study of bacterial spot of tomato illuminates the pathogen’s diversity throughout Florida during a production season

A large-scale study characterized 585 strains of the Xanthomonas perforans bacterium in Florida commercial tomato fields, finding associations between farms and transplant facilities as key points of pathogen spread. This research provides insights into the diversity of the pathogen population and potential control strategies for farmers.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

New nanomaterial for treatment of skin infections

Researchers at IOCB Prague have developed a novel antibacterial material called NANO-LPPO that can prevent infection and facilitate treatment of skin wounds. The material combines lipophosphonoxins with a nonwoven nanotextile, which releases active substances in response to bacterial presence.

Hidden in the seeds: Bacteria found to survive the harsh interior of passion fruit seeds

Scientists at Tokyo University of Science discovered endophytic bacteria that can survive extreme conditions within passion fruit seeds. The bacteria were isolated from seedlings grown from cut seeds and found to possess biocatalytic activities related to the metabolism of secondary metabolites, such as resveratrol and piceatannol.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalMicrobiologyOpen·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2021

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers identify approach for potential nontypeable haemophilus influenzae vaccine

Researchers identified two proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, that stimulate protective immunity against diverse NTHi strains. Immunization with these proteins provides protection against bacterial colonization by other strains, highlighting the vaccine potential for a nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae vaccine.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2021

When stubborn bugs refuse to make drugs

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used comparative metabologenomics to study the genomes of Streptomyces bacteria and identify key factors that influence drug production. The study found that fine-tuning of specific nucleotides can control antibiotic production, offering new insights for next-generation drug discovery.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2021

Keeping bacteria under lock and key

Scientists at the University of Delaware have made progress on a biological containment strategy using synthetic auxotrophy, keeping a strain of E. coli stable for 100 days. The research also shows promise for treating diseases and cleaning up the environment safely.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 6, 2021

Kiwi disease study finds closely related bacterial strains display different behaviors

A recent study found that genes involved in bacterial signaling play a crucial role in the virulence of Psa3, a highly aggressive biovar of the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the diversity of virulence strategies among closely related bacterial strains.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateJun 24, 2021

Persistence pays off in the human gut microbiome

Researchers investigated bacterial persistence in the human gut microbiome, identifying three dispersal strategies and finding that most strains are highly persistent. The study's results will inform targeted probiotic and treatment approaches to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJun 14, 2021

Bioactive implant coatings resistant to most bacterial strains are obtained in Russia

Researchers from NUST MISIS have created innovative multilayer coatings that synthesizes protective properties of nanoparticles, biopolymers, anticoagulants, and antibiotics. The coatings demonstrated excellent bactericidal efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains with a prolonged antibacterial effect up to 7 days.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalApplied Surface Science·DateApr 12, 2021