Articles tagged with Bacterial Strains
A team of researchers led by Maren Friesen from Michigan State University is searching for a unique bacterium that can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the presence of oxygen. This bacterium has exceptional properties and could be the key to creating nitrogen-fixing plants, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Scientists have discovered that breast milk contains beneficial bacteria from the mother's gut, which is essential for establishing a healthy gut microbiome in babies. This finding confirms the importance of breastfeeding and highlights the need to develop formula milk that mimics nature.
A new study found that a type of MRSA originated in cattle at least 40 years ago, with genetic evidence tracing two subtypes back to farm animals. Researchers suggest direct contact between people and livestock may have transmitted the bacteria.
Scientists have discovered that social amoebae can cultivate two bacterial strains, one edible and the other toxic, which differ by only one key mutation. This mutation altered the expression of genes in the non-food strain, making it edible, while the food strain retained its defense mechanisms.
Researchers have discovered a bacterium in South America that produces poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable compound used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The strain, Bacillus megaterium Uyuni S29, produces large amounts of PHB, making it a promising natural substitute for petroleum-based plastics.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a matchbox-sized device that can test for bacterial presence in just a couple of minutes. This method uses nano-levers and lasers to detect metabolic activity, allowing for fast and accurate diagnosis of effective antibiotic treatment.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new one-step process called 'clonetegration' that simplifies the production of designer bacteria. This faster method enables multiple rounds of genetic engineering on the same bacteria and simultaneous integration of multiple genes, accelerating therapeutic drug development.
Scientists at Imperial College London have identified four new receptors for the signalling molecule c-di-AMP, which is essential for bacterial growth and division. The discovery provides vital clues for developing new antibiotics targeting these pathways.
A team from the University of Exeter has developed a method to make bacteria produce diesel on demand, using special strains of E. coli. The resulting diesel is almost identical to conventional diesel fuel and can be used with current supplies without modification.
The altered El Tor strain has acquired two additional signature mutations that may further increase virulence and is evolving to be more like an 1800s version of cholera. This unique pattern of infection accounting for the severity of disease noted during the Haiti cholera outbreak may be triggered by these genetic changes.
A study published using worms found that metformin, a widely prescribed diabetes drug, delays ageing by altering metabolism in gut bacteria. The drug was shown to extend worm lifespan by mimicking the effects of calorie restriction.
Researchers discovered that certain lactobacillus bacteria can dampen the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 in the vagina. This finding has implications for understanding and treating vaginal infections, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic tools and probiotic management strategies.
A recent study by UCLA and Washington University researchers discovered that acne-causing bacteria contain both 'bad' and 'good' strains. The 'good' strain is found in healthy skin but rarely occurs in those with acne, suggesting it may have a natural defense mechanism to protect the skin.
Researchers discovered two strains of acne bacteria associated with pimples and one strain linked to healthy skin. Increasing the body's friendly strain through a cream or lotion may help calm spotty complexions.
Researchers isolated an enzyme called NucB from the marine bacterium Bacillus licheniformis, which can break down biofilms in sinusitis. The enzyme cleared over half of biofilm organisms tested, offering a potential solution to chronic sinusitis.
A new study found that chemicals secreted by good bacteria can reduce the frequency and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. The treatment, which uses purified secretions from probiotic bacteria, shows promise as a targeted preventive strategy without the broad effects of steroids.
Researchers at UC Davis have uncovered a biological mechanism by which harmful bacteria thrive in the guts of those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The discovery may lead to new treatments with fewer side effects than current therapies, targeting molecular pathways that generate nitric oxide and nitrate.
Researchers have found a way to 'mine' bacterial genomes for new drug leads by exploiting the process of antibiotic resistance. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that bacteria can produce hundreds of compounds when exposed to antibiotics, many of which are potential secondary metabolites.
The new methods have been applied to analyse the genetic variation of MRSA bacteria, demonstrating that more than half of its genetic variation is caused by horizontal genomic transfer. This allows for the estimation of when a certain strain of MRSA has entered a country and started to spread to hospitals.
Researchers have identified specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by certain bacteria, which can be used to diagnose lung infections. The findings suggest a potential breath test to detect bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis, in just minutes.
Scientists have identified a unique phage that acts as a predator, infecting and harming competing bacterial strains in the human intestine. The discovery could lead to new techniques for controlling bacteria in a natural way, opening up questions about the role of phages in shaping gut communities.
Researchers found that different strains of Borrelia burgdorferi respond differently to the immune system of white-footed mice, leading to variations in bacterial growth and prevalence. This knowledge can help scientists develop a vaccine by targeting specific proteins common to all strains.
Researchers developed a low-cost, high-throughput platform for identifying compounds with novel antibiotic properties using a diagnostic panel of bacterial strains. The new strategy promises to streamline the discovery of new antibiotics from natural sources, providing a solution to the looming antibiotic crisis.
Researchers discovered a new bacterium in an Indiana man's infected wound, revealing how insects domesticate bacteria. The strain, HS, has a relatively large genetic blueprint and is closely related to Sodalis-like bacteria that live in many insect species.
A combination of six naturally occurring bacteria eradicates a highly contagious form of Clostridium difficile, a cause of bloating, diarrhea, and over 2,000 UK deaths in 2011. Faecal transplantation resolves symptoms and contagiousness, but the new approach aims to reduce antibiotic use.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a compound that can reactivate antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), making it effective again. The new compound works by short-circuiting the bacteria's ability to mount a defense against the antibiotic.
Researchers found that enzyme-modified coconut oil strongly inhibited the growth of Streptococcus bacteria, a major cause of tooth decay. The study suggests that incorporating this natural compound into dental hygiene products could be a promising approach to combating microbial infection.
A new disinfectant, Akwaton, has been shown to effectively destroy bacterial spores at extremely low concentrations. This is a significant improvement over existing chemical compounds that require higher concentrations and can be harmful to humans.
Researchers found a strain of dysentery-causing bacterium spreading rapidly from Europe to Australia and some developing countries. High levels of drug resistance in developed countries make transmission easier.
A research team at UNC Chapel Hill has discovered a molecular mechanism that allows bacteria to transfer antibiotic resistance. By inhibiting the interaction between two protein loops and the plasmid DNA, researchers may be able to develop new antibiotics effective against drug-resistant bacteria.
A team of researchers at Michigan State University has identified the secret to the deadly 2011 E. coli outbreak in Germany, attributing its lethality to biofilm formation. By targeting this mechanism, the researchers aim to potentially tame the killer bacteria.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a bacterial gene that enables microbes to thrive in oxygen-depleted conditions, producing lipid biomarkers that may signify dramatic changes in Earth's history. This discovery could provide insights into mass extinctions and climate disturbances.
A University of Cincinnati study found strong correlations between Mycobacterium and visible mold, as well as between Stenotrophomonas and environmental relative moldiness index. These bacteria strains are linked to indoor bacterial contamination in water-damaged homes, posing health risks to occupants.
A study found that infants colonized by E. coli bacteria early in life have a higher number of memory B cells. Healthy gut bacteria play a crucial role in immune system development and preventing allergies.
A new bivalent recombinant vaccine has been shown to be safe and immunogenic in adolescents, inducing bactericidal antibodies against 90% of invasive meningococcus serogroup B strains. The vaccine's broad protection and high seroprotection rates suggest it may help reduce the global burden of invasive meningococcal disease.
Lactocepin, an enzyme produced by Lactobacillus paracasei, selectively interrupts inflammatory processes in diseased tissue by degrading chemokines. This mechanism shows promise for developing new approaches to prevent and treat chronic bowel diseases.
A recent discovery by UCSB researchers has identified 'hypervirulent' Salmonella bacteria, which pose a significant risk to human and animal health. The strains were found in livestock isolates and render current vaccines obsolete due to their ability to switch between virulence levels during infection.
Researchers found that an epidemic strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae can damage mucins on mucus membranes, allowing the bacteria to enter and infect cells. The study identified an enzyme, ZmpC, as the culprit behind this process. This discovery may lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating bacterial infections.
Scientists have identified a highly transmissible variant of the LA-ST398 strain that can efficiently spread among humans, leading to community-associated infections. The new strain, ST398-NM, contains human-specific immune evasion genes and adheres well to skin, increasing its ability to colonize and infect people.
Researchers have developed a model gastric system to evaluate probiotic survival, finding that some bacteria strains thrive in fermented milks. The study suggests that certain lactococcal and enterococci strains can resurrect their viability in the small intestine.
Researchers at UB are studying the microbiology of a new variant of Klebsiella pneumoniae to identify genes that make it hypervirulent. The bacterium causes serious, life-threatening infections in otherwise healthy individuals and has the potential to become highly resistant to antibiotics.
Researchers at NC State University have created a compound that increases the effectiveness of existing antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant superbugs by 16 times. The compound, derived from a class of molecules, recharges existing antibiotics, making them effective against Gram-negative bacteria like K. pneumoniae.
Researchers at Brandeis University have made a significant discovery on how EmrE, a protein responsible for exporting antibiotics from cells, works. By studying its structure and function using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the team hopes to develop inhibitors that can target this protein and prevent drug resistance.
Research suggests that certain strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can trigger an allergic reaction in white blood cells, leading to increased histamine production and worsening inflammation. This discovery sheds light on a potential link between environmental bacteria and asthma.
The study reveals that while the Hib vaccine has reduced Hib disease in young children, other strains of the bacteria continue to cause substantial disease in older adults and infants. The burden of disease is highest among the elderly and youngest age groups, with nearly a quarter of cases being fatal.
A NYU dental research team is using a $2.2 million NIH grant to analyze bacterial samples and identify strains of Lactobacilli contributing to severe early childhood caries. The study aims to develop a diagnostic test to identify children at risk.
Antibodies have been found to trick certain bacteria into killing each other, providing a new mechanism for bacterial clearance. Additionally, researchers suggest that humoral immunity may play a role in eliminating old seasonal influenza virus strains by inducing an anti-stalk antibody response.
Researchers at the University of Bristol identified a probiotic strain that can thrive in high-iron environments and reduce inflammation associated with IBD. The discovery offers hope for developing novel treatments for active intestinal disease.
The Trudeau Institute has made a breakthrough in treating Listeria infections by identifying a key role for blood-clotting proteins in immune defense. The study suggests that FXI-targeted therapeutics may be useful for treating severe infections caused by Listeria and other sepsis-causing bacteria.
A recent study found that villages along roads have higher rates of antibiotic-resistant E. coli than rural areas, suggesting roads facilitate the spread of superbugs. The researchers attribute this to increased antibiotic use and poor water quality, which allow resistant strains to thrive.
Crowd-sourcing efforts identified key disease-causing genes in the E. coli O104:H4 strain, which carries a high number of genes involved in disease. The outbreak, affecting over 16 countries, has been linked to contaminated beansprouts and resulted in thousands of cases and multiple deaths.
Researchers have developed a gene for an improved bacterial enzyme that targets tumour cells while leaving healthy tissue unscathed. This therapy uses Clostridium sporogenes to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to the site of solid tumours.
A recent study has traced the source of the current cholera pandemic to an ancestor that first appeared in the Bay of Bengal 40 years ago. The analysis reveals that the bacterium's genetic region SXT acquired around 1982, triggering global transmission from this original source.
Researchers have engineered bacteria to withstand high levels of mercury and remove it from their surroundings, providing a potential technology for bioremediation. The bacteria were able to grow in extremely high concentrations of mercury and remove over 80% of it in five days.
A*STAR scientists have discovered a potential antidote for Ricin and Pseudomonas exotoxin, two deadly toxins responsible for hospital-acquired infections. The study identified ERGIC2 as a therapeutic target, paving the way for developing generic antidotes against these life-threatening toxins.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism used by bacteria Paenibacillus dendritiformis to cope with overcrowding. A new insect-borne virus, Cavally virus, was also found in mosquitoes in Cote d'Ivoire, which may cause severe disease in humans or animals.
Probiotic bacteria have limitations in conventional production processes. Researchers at TUM developed a gentle method using low-temperature vacuum drying, which is energy and cost-efficient. This process improves storage stability, allowing more active bacteria to remain in products until consumption.
In a structured community of Escherichia coli bacteria, restrained strains thrived by curbing pursuit of producers, while unrestrained strains faced long-term demise. The phenomenon has implications for other ecological systems.
A study found that infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori can lead to Parkinson's disease symptoms in mice, and researchers suggest that this may be due to a modified cholesterol produced by the bacteria. The findings could have implications for understanding the development of neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers found Wolbachia bacteria can significantly reduce Plasmodium falciparum levels in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The bacteria also killed mosquitoes after feeding on blood, potentially providing a strategy to control malaria.