One health
Communicable diseases remain one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. There are disparities in the numbers of individuals affected by disease between low-and-middle-income countries and those in developed nations. Microbes will play in important role in drug discovery: producing anticancer drugs and antimicrobials. Applying One Health principles, to understand the interaction of pathogens and the human host, development of diagnostics, treatments, and disease prevention, applied microbiologists can shape global health and wellbeing outcomes.
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Researchers find contaminated water in fast-food soda fountains
Scientists found microbial contamination in common sources of drinking water in the Eastern Coachella Valley, including soda fountains at fast-food restaurants.
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NewsContagious omicron strain replicates early in infection
New research used engineered mice to compare SARS-COV-2 omicron subvariants and found one of them – BA.5 – was more virulent likely due to its ability to rapidly replicate early during infection.
NewsValneva announces new IXIARO® supply contract with the US government
Specialty vaccine company Valneva SE has announced the signing of a new $32 million contract with the United States Department of Defense for the supply of its Japanese encephalitis vaccine, IXIARO®.
NewsAntibiotics can help some bacteria survive for longer
Scientists have found a surprising effect of some antibiotics on certain bacteria – that the drugs can sometimes benefit bacteria, helping them live longer.
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Researchers pioneer safe chemotherapy methods for treating bacterial infections
Antibiotic resistant bacteria are a threat to human lives, and yet the development of new drugs to treat bacterial infections is slow.
OpinionMuch ado about microbes
A group of leading scientists has recently reviewed the benefits and risks of Gain of Function research and issued new consensus recommendations - Simon Wain-Hobson examines the report exclusively for The Microbiologist.
NewsNew vaccine technology could protect from future viruses and variants
Studies of a ‘future-proof’ vaccine candidate have shown that just one antigen can be modified to provide a broadly protective immune response in animals.
NewsAssays for rapid and visual detection of monkey B virus
Two recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assays have been developed for Monkey B virus that target two conserved genes combined with a one-off, closed visualization strip device
NewsNew research reveals gut microbiota link to colitis - and therapetic strategies
Researchers have revealed a new and critical role of Axin1 in regulating intestinal epithelial development and microbial homeostasis.
NewsNanoparticle vaccine candidate shows promise against emerging tick-borne virus
Researchers have used nanoparticles to develop a potential vaccine candidate against Dabie Bandavirus, formerly known as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV), a tick-borne virus that has no prevention, treatment or cure.
NewsHops compound reduces abundance of gut microbe associated with metabolic syndrome
Researchers have shown in a mouse model and lab cultures that a compound derived from hops reduces the abundance of a gut bacterium associated with metabolic syndrome.
NewsDiscovery in mosquitoes could lead to new strategy against dengue fever
Researchers have discovered that a protein in the mosquito Aedes aegypti , Argonaute 2, has a key role - via several biological mechanisms - in keeping mosquitoes healthy and active despite the presence of viral infections like dengue and Zika.
NewsCOVID-19 could hold key to spotting viruses with pandemic potential
Certain SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern are evolving to do a better job of shutting down human innate immune responses, according to new research.
CareersIgnoring the rise of anti-science could usher back once-deadly diseases
As a wave of anti-science sentiment sweeps the globe, scientists need to speak up, says paediatric vaccine scientist Dr Peter Hotez in an interview with The Microbiologist as he launches his new book.
NewsScientists develop mRNA vaccine against Lyme disease-causing bacteria
An experimental mRNA vaccine provides protection in preclinical animal models against infection from Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, according to new research.
NewsClinical trial of HIV vaccine begins in United States and South Africa
A trial of a preventive HIV vaccine candidate has begun enrollment in the United States and South Africa. The Phase 1 trial will evaluate a novel vaccine known as VIR-1388 for its safety and ability to induce an HIV-specific immune response in people.
NewsScientists developing field test to detect Covid virus in dozens of host species
Purdue University has received $2.7 million in federal funding to develop a field test that can measure and predict the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a wide range of wildlife and farm animals.
NewsNew NTU Singapore research centre on lung health
To better tackle respiratory diseases in Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has set up a new research centre designed to address lung diseases in an Asian context.
NewsUnderstanding bacterial motors may lead to more efficient nanomachine motors
Scientists have identified the FliG molecule in the flagellar layer, the ‘motor’ of bacteria, and revealed its role in the organism, potentially suggesting ways in which future engineers could build nanomachines with full control over their movements.
NewsSuper sensitive method detects deadly infectious diseases
Rutgers researchers have developed a way of detecting the early onset of deadly infectious diseases using a test so ultrasensitive that it could someday revolutionize medical approaches to epidemics.
News Fast-track strain engineering for speedy biomanufacturing
The time and money required to engineer microbes to produce vital medicines and chemicals can be dramatically reduced with a new model-based method.
OpinionHas a viral contribution to Alzheimer’s disease been in front of our noses this whole time?
The concept that a viral infection may induce pathology in regions far from its active location is gaining traction. Could this phenomenon also be at play in Alzheimer’s disease?
