Articles tagged with Bacterial Rna
A new method for cutting DNA using a bacterial enzyme and RNA binding has been demonstrated to work in human cells, overcoming a major bottleneck in genome engineering. The technique, known as CRISPR-Cas9, is precise, inexpensive, and easy to program, holding promise for treating genetic diseases and curing AIDS.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a genetic sequence that can alter its host gene's activity in response to cellular energy levels, a finding that could have broad implications for biology and medicine. The energy-sensing switch, known as a riboswitch, detects the molecule ATP and controls global metabolic regul...
Researchers have developed an adaptor that makes genetic engineering of microbial components more predictable, converting regulators of translation into regulators of transcription in Escherichia coli. This allows for the construction of increasingly complex functions in microorganisms, enabling safer and more efficient production of e...
Researchers have discovered an RNA-based complex that guides a DNA-cutting enzyme to specific sites, enabling easy customization for laboratory applications. This breakthrough could revolutionize genome editing and gene function studies, offering a powerful tool for biotechnology efforts.
Researchers have discovered a new and effective means of editing genomes, revolutionizing the field of genomics. By programming RNA to direct protein cleavage at specific nucleotide sequences, scientists can now edit DNA with unprecedented precision.
Researchers found a new genetic mechanism that bacteria use to cause shigellosis, increasing its virulence. This discovery could lead to the development of targeted treatments for this deadly disease.
Researchers sequenced DNA from viruses present in healthy individuals' gut bacteria, revealing 51 hypervariable regions associated with reverse transcriptase genes. These findings suggest that viral variation could drive the evolution of the gut microbiome.
A new study suggests that bacteria can communicate through physical contact, using a system of 'cellular communication' to coordinate functions. The researchers found that certain bacteria require specific proteins to bind and interact with each other, facilitating this touch-dependent language.
Researchers have discovered how to harness the bacterial immune system to selectively target and silence genes. This finding has far-reaching implications for biotechnology and biomedical research, allowing for the modification of gene expression in bacteria used for biofuels and pharmaceuticals.
Bacteria use riboswitches to detect and counteract the effects of fluoride, a key component of toothpaste. The discovery sheds light on how microbes overcome fluoride toxicity, potentially leading to new treatments for dental health issues.
New research reveals that many bacteria try to fend off fluoride by throwing it out, and that the presence of this transport system indicates fluoride has antimicrobial properties. The discovery also highlights a genetic switch called riboswitches, which can be used to enhance fluoride's effects against bacteria.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have discovered the cellular mechanisms that generate chromosomal breaks in bacteria. They found that collisions between major gene expression lead to chromosomal breaks, which may explain stress-driven evolution in bacteria and certain human diseases.
Scientists describe how a multipurpose protein on a virus tail bores into bacteria like a drill bit and clears debris. The 'Swiss Army Knife' protein enables the virus to pump its genetic material into bacteria, infecting them.
Researchers used computer simulations to study bacterial resistance against aminoglycoside antibiotics, revealing the physical basis of one mechanism - mutations of the antibiotic target site. The findings suggest possible drug modifications to combat resistant bacteria.
Researchers at Ohio State University identified a family of proteins that close a critical gap in RNA polymerase, enabling it to maintain its grip on DNA and activate genes. This discovery has implications for antibiotic development and could contribute to understanding gene expression in all living organisms.
Scientists at the University of Alberta discovered the first step in a bacterial immune response, where RNA is cut into pieces to target invading viruses. This finding has implications for controlling bacterial growth and fighting human infections.
Researchers at Texas A&M University discovered that certain bacteria can render themselves dormant in response to antibiotic stress, degrading internal antitoxins and damaging metabolic processes. This 'sleeping' mechanism allows the bacteria to avoid antibiotics, but could potentially be awakened by a complementary chemical.
A new study has identified the reason behind the variability in gene transfer among bacteria, revealing that genes involved in core cellular functions are less likely to be acquired. The study found that well-connected genes, which interact with many partners, are less likely to be transferred into a new host.
Researchers have discovered a new way to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by targeting the bacteria's RNA degradation process. The approach, which uses an inhibitor called RNPA1000, shows promise against MRSA biofilms and other antibiotic-resistant strains.
A new study links specific groups of gut bacteria to the development of fatty liver disease. The researchers found that certain bacterial populations correlated with increased fat in the liver during a restricted choline diet. These findings suggest that individual variations in gut bacteria may play a role in the disease, and could le...
Arun Chatterjee, a professor emeritus at the University of Missouri, was elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his groundbreaking research on Erwinia carotovora, a bacterium that causes disease in various plants. His work has shed light on the regulatory role of small RNAs in controlling protein ...
Scientists have developed a stable RNA nanoparticle that can power biological motors and resist enzyme breakdown, paving the way for RNA nanotechnology applications. This innovation could lead to new treatments for cancer, viral, and genetic diseases.
Researchers found a strain of bacteria that can grow and produce life using arsenic in place of phosphorus. The discovery suggests that arsenic is being incorporated into the bacterial cells, replacing phosphorus in DNA, RNA, and proteins.
A computer model found a network of genes that can trigger TB's dormant state, switching it from fast-growing to slow-growing. The study reveals potential for a persistence switch that could explain why TB is so widespread and deadly.
Rice University scientists analyze how bacteria acquire immunity from disease through the CRISPR system, which uses RNA interference to silence viral genes. The study's findings have implications for biotechnology and drug development.
Researchers have identified Csy4 as the enzyme responsible for producing CRISPR-derived RNAs, which target and silence invading viruses and plasmids. The discovery sheds light on how microbes use CRISPR to acquire immunity from future invasions.
Researchers at Yale University discovered a functioning genetic remnant from a time before DNA existed in the stomach bacterium Clostridium difficile. This ancient RNA complex plays a critical role in infecting human cells and regulating gene expression, challenging scientists' understanding of life's origins.
Researchers developed a biosensor to study cell division in bacteria, finding that the regulatory messenger c-di-GMP is distributed unevenly between swimming and stay-put cells. This asymmetrical distribution affects enzyme production and cell function, with implications for bacterial behavior and disease.
Researchers have identified a small RNA molecule that controls social behavior in Myxococcus xanthus, a soil bacterium. The mutation of interest, 'Pxr', had previously been found to give an evolved mutant of M. xanthus a competitive edge over both the mutant's immediate parent and its ancestor.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have constructed a powerful phylogenetic tree for the gamma-proteobacteria using hundreds of genes and integrating more information than traditional single-gene approaches. The consensus tree provides a tool for predicting shared biology and analyzing bacterial adaptations to their environments.
Scientists have characterized a general mechanism that controls transcription elongation in bacteria, revealing the active ribosome's role in adjusting transcriptional yield. This finding could lead to novel ways to interfere with bacterial gene expression and develop new antimicrobial therapies.
Researchers found that cells' DNA-reading machinery can bypass certain types of damaged DNA, leading to mutagenesis and potential antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This discovery has important implications for understanding how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center have discovered a new paradigm to understand the molecular principles of gene transcription in bacteria. The study reveals an allosteric mechanism by which Rho terminates transcription and shows that Rho binds tightly to RNA polymerase throughout the transcription cycle.
Yale researchers discovered exceptionally large RNAs in previously unstudied bacteria, suggesting many more remain to be found as scientists explore more bacterial species. These RNAs rank among the largest and most sophisticated yet discovered, potentially acting like enzymes or carrying out complex functions.
Researchers describe molecular anatomy of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a small bacterium that can survive on its own. The study reveals intricate networks and multifunctional molecules, challenging the idea of a 'minimal' cell.
A team of scientists has discovered how bacteria defend themselves from viruses and other invaders, unlocking opportunities for targeted antibiotics, gene function studies, and stable bacterial cultures. The CRISPR-Cas system, a dynamic duo of RNA and proteins, recognizes and neutralizes invader RNAs.
Researchers have developed a system to track RNA movement in live bacterial cells, revealing new information on its localization and structure. The study shows that RNA is not evenly distributed throughout the cell but instead forms helical structures resembling those found in proteins involved in DNA replication.
Bacteria have a novel RNA repair system that adds a methyl group to damaged RNA, making it impossible to cleave the site again. This discovery has implications for protecting cells against ribotoxins and understanding RNA interference in eukaryotes.
A new biosensor developed by researchers at Rovira i Virgili University can detect extremely low levels of Salmonella typhi, the bacteria that causes typhoid fever, immediately and reliably. The technique uses carbon nanotubes and synthetic DNA fragments to activate an electric signal when they link up with the pathogen.
Researchers have developed a novel biosensor using carbon nanotubes and aptamers to detect Salmonella typhi bacteria at concentrations as low as one bacterium in 5 mL. The technique enables fast, simple, and precise detection of micro-organisms.
Researchers analyzed joint fluid samples from patients with Lyme arthritis, identifying bacterial strains and finding correlations between OspC typing and clinical outcomes. The study suggests that certain B. burgdorferi genotypes, particularly RST1, may induce a more marked immune response leading to persistent joint inflammation.
A recent study published in Science reveals that the skin microbiome is much more diverse than previously thought, with varying levels of bacteria at different body sites. The research found that dry and moist skin had a broader variety of microbes than oily skin, and that certain skin areas were more stable over time.
Researchers have identified a genetic mechanism in bacteria that could lead to the development of new antibiotics. The preQ1 riboswitch regulates gene expression by controlling the availability of queuosine, a molecule essential for bacterial survival and human disease.
Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a new approach using RNA-Seq to comprehensively define the transcriptome of Bacillus anthracis. This technique provides a more detailed view of how bacteria regulate their gene expression, allowing for improved tasks like antibiotic discovery and microbial engineering.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to evaluate the efficiency of bacterial protein production, finding that optimal efficiency requires seven genes for ribosome production. The model accurately predicted how E. coli adapts to disruptions in production workflow.
Researchers discovered that phenazine molecules activate the transcription factor SoxR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, influencing biofilm formation and gene expression. This finding suggests that tampering with phenazine trafficking could make antibiotics more effective against CF patients' infections.
Researchers at Arizona State University discovered a key survival circuit that allows Salmonella bacteria to overcome the body's defense mechanisms. The bacteria use a complex system of regulatory proteins and genes to adapt to changing environments, including nutrient starvation and antimicrobial peptides.
A team of researchers has discovered how the N4 phage injects its own RNA polymerase into E. coli bacterial cells, enabling it to create new proteins without host help. The unique property allows for potential therapeutic applications in killing E. coli bacteria.
Researchers have uncovered the mechanism by which specialized activator proteins kickstart the RNA polymerase machine, allowing genes to be activated at specific times. This process is crucial for protein production and bacterial adaptation, making it a potential target for developing novel antibacterial compounds.
Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind how a specific antibiotic, myxopyronin, kills bacteria. The study found that the antibiotic binds to RNA polymerase, interfering with its ability to use DNA to start gene expression, effectively creating a road block that halts bacterial growth.
Researchers from HZI and Rutgers University discover new mode of action against pathogenic bacteria, inhibiting RNA polymerase. The natural substances also kill bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics, making them promising candidates for development as novel medicines.
A new ribosome study sheds light on the oldest branches of evolutionary life, suggesting that differences in ribosomal structure between bacteria and archaea are molecular fossils of early evolution. The research confirms and extends Carl Woese's early work on finding signs of evolution in the ribosome.
Bacteria have been found to rely on ancient forms of RNA to trigger major changes, resolving a question about the origin of life. This discovery supports the RNA World theory, which suggests that RNA was the first form of life on Earth.
Researchers propose a symbiotic origin for the centrosome, a cell division component. The Alliegros' paper provides RNA evidence supporting this idea, which challenges traditional evolutionary theories.
A team of MIT researchers has devised a new method to analyze gene expression in complex microbial populations, providing insights into the role of oceanic bacteria in regulating Earth's natural cycles. The technique has yielded surprising discoveries, including the identification of previously unknown bacterial genes and their functions.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have discovered a new control mechanism for genetic code translation in bacteria, which differs from humans. This discovery strengthens the theory that the initial genetic code evolved separately in distinct branches of life, highlighting the plasticity and complexity of the genetic code.
A team from the University of Illinois identified SgrS, a 200-nucleotide-long RNA molecule, which performs two functions to regulate glucose metabolism in bacteria. The molecule binds to messenger RNA to inhibit new glucose transporter production and codes for a protein that retards existing transporter activity.
In 1977, Carl Woese led a team that identified archaea as a unique domain of life, distinct from bacteria and other organisms. Their discovery opened up a new field of study and revolutionized biology, particularly microbial ecology.
A team of Harvard researchers has found that organisms must stay below a mutation rate of 6 per genome per generation to prevent extinction. This discovery explains why some species are more resilient to genetic changes and offers insights into the physical properties of genetic material and its impact on survival fitness.
Researchers have found that three major classes of antibiotics work by ramping up harmful free radicals in bacteria, making existing antibiotics less effective. This discovery could lead to new classes of antibiotics and improved methods for treating resistant infections.