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.
News
Aboard the International Space Station, viruses and bacteria show atypical interplay
In a new study, terrestrial bacteria-infecting viruses were still able to infect their E. coli hosts in near-weightless “microgravity” conditions aboard the International Space Station, but the dynamics of virus-bacteria interactions differed from those observed on Earth.
Read story
NewsWhy don’t antibiotic-making bacteria self-destruct?
Scientists discovered a promising new antibiotic in a soil sample. The molecule, lariocidin, is produced by the microbe Paenibacillus and shows broad activity against pathogenic bacteria. Now, the researchers report how Paenibacillus avoids harm by its own antibiotic.
NewsWhen a virus releases the immune brake: New evidence on the onset of multiple sclerosis
A study investigating the links between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis shows that EBV can interfere with the control of B cells. One viral protein mimics a crucial “approval” signal that B cells usually require from other immune cells. Self-reactive B cells can then survive even when they should be shut down.
NewsResearch reveals hidden diversity of E. coli driving diabetic foot infections
New research has shed light on the diversity and characteristics of E. coli strains that drive diabetic foot infections, providing the first comprehensive genomic characterisation of E. coli strains isolated directly from diabetic foot ulcers across multiple continents.
More One Health
News
New mechanism links Epstein-Barr virus to MS
Scientists investigating the links between the Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis show that when the immune system fights EBV, certain T cells – which normally attack the virus – can also react to a protein in the brain called Anoctamin-2 (ANO2), a phenomenon called molecular mimicry.
NewsBirding enthusiasts can help songbirds avoid salmonella epidemics
Biologists are developing a tool to predict when deadly salmonella outbreaks are likely to happen in wild songbird populations so that people can protect their feathered friends by taking down bird feeders at the right time.
NewsGenetic risk factor and viral infection jointly contribute to MS
One of the leading triggers for multiple sclerosis (MS) is an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. However, certain gene variants also play an important role. Researchers have shown that it is the molecular interaction between environmental and genetic risk factors that ultimately triggers the disease.
NewsProbiotic living microneedles designed by interbacterial competition for accelerated infected wound healing
Probiotic therapy offers a promising strategy for chronic infected wound management. Inspired by bacterial competitive interactions, researchers developed a multifunctional microneedle (MN) platform to overcome the limitations of weak competitiveness and poor penetration across biofilm barriers.
NewsNew test could help pinpoint IBD diagnosis, study finds
A test that rapidly detects signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in stool samples could improve future diagnosis and monitoring of the condition, a study suggests. The luminescent reporter lights up when it detects a molecule linked to gut inflammation.
NewsFirst extensive study into marsupial gut microbiomes reveals new microbial species and antimicrobial resistance
New research provides the first metagenomic data for 13 marsupial species , including the red kangaroo and the common brushtail possum. They revealed that host family, animal location, and diet all contributed towards variance between different microbiomes.
NewsA protein found in the GI tract can neutralize many bacteria
The mucosal surfaces that line the body are embedded with defensive molecules that help keep microbes from causing inflammation and infections. One of these molecules, intelectin-2, has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria found in the GI tract.
NewsNew hypothesis links HPV E6 and SARS‑CoV‑2 spike proteins to reduced p53 activity
Scientists have proposed a hypothesis suggesting that virally encoded proteins such as HPV-E6 or SARS-COV-2 Spike may cooperate in suppressing host defenses including tumor suppressor mechanisms involving p53.
NewsA gentler way to model deadly lung infections in old age
Researchers report a refined mouse model that successfully mimics chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in old age. The study introduces an agar bead-based delivery strategy that allows bacteria to persist in the lungs of aged mice without causing rapid death.
NewsInjectable hydrogel-mediated co-delivery of oncolytic adenovirus and melphalan for retinoblastoma control and vision preservation
The collagen-based hydrogel enabled controlled oncolytic adenovirus and melphalan release and sustained retention. This approach eradicated retinoblastoma tumors and restored normal ocular structure and visual function following intravitreal administration.
NewsSunlight-activated nanospray enables painless, antibiotic-free therapy for infected diabetic wounds
A research team has reported a multifunctional photodynamic nanospray for chronic infected wounds that harnesses natural sunlight to address persistent bacterial infections, impaired healing and severe pain simultaneously.
NewsCat disease challenges what scientists thought about coronaviruses
Researchers have uncovered new details about how a once-deadly coronavirus disease in cats spreads through the immune system. For years, the prevailing belief was that the virus behind feline infectious peritonitis infected just one type of immune cell.
NewsResearcher reveals secrets of bacteria that can swim upstream
Rather than washing pathogens away, strong fluid currents act as “guide rails” that align bacteria and accelerate their upstream migration. They discovered that this creates a “two-way invasion” where pioneer cells reach the source within minutes, seeding colonies that spread threefold faster than in still water.
NewsResearchers deploy bacteria to make healthier sugar substitute
Researchers have developed a way to biosynthetically produce an otherwise rare sugar called tagatose, which could very well provide the sweetness and natural taste of table sugar without its potential harms. It might even provide some health benefits.
NewsResearchers uncover the secret route of prostate infections
A research team has developed a “mini prostate” organoid model using adult stem cells. Using this model, the scientists could follow a bacterial prostatitis infection step by step under controlled conditions and identify exactly how the bacteria attack.
NewsUK: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy decreased over time, though mistrust persists among certain groups
Most COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is rooted in concerns that can be addressed and effectively reduced over time, according to a new study following more than 1.1 million people in England between January 2021 and March 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NewsChanges in genetic structure of yeast lead to disease-causing genomic instabilities
Researchers studying a yeast model have discovered that the loss of heterochromatin can kickstart genetic changes, potentially resulting in the development of diseases like cancer.
NewsClinical trial in Ethiopia targets the trachoma scourge
A new study documents the outcomes of an evaluation of fluorometholone as adjunctive medical therapy for trachomatous trichiasis surgery, part of an initiative to better prevent blindness and improve quality of life for those affected.
NewsNew study finds higher hantavirus risk in drier, underdeveloped areas
In a recent study of the contiguous USA, researchers found that the risk of disease from hantavirus is higher in drier, underdeveloped geographic areas with more socioeconomic vulnerability and increased numbers of unique rodent species.