All Wellcome Sanger Institute articles
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NewsAdvanced disease modelling shows some gut bacteria can spread as rapidly as viruses
Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the human gut, could spread as quickly as swine flu, new research suggests. For the first time, researchers are able to predict the rate at which one person could transmit gut bacteria to those around them.
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NewsGenetic culprits IDed in capture of 100 years of antibiotic resistance evolution
The genetic culprits responsible for the spread of multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacteria have been identified by new research mapping 100 years of bacterial evolution.
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NewsBaby’s microbiome may protect against childhood viral infection
A baby’s makeup of gut bacteria — their microbiome — which starts to form as soon as they are born, could help protect against viral infections later in childhood, a new study suggests.
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NewsPrecision medicine could be possible in the fight against antibiotic resistance
The first-of-its-kind in-depth bacterial evolutionary map could pave the way for the development of precision treatments for certain antibiotic-resistant infections, such as urinary tract infections.
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NewsPossible colon cancer vaccine target uncovered in bacteria
Higher rates of certain cancers may be linked to two particular strains of bacteria. Targeting these with treatments or vaccines could help reduce the risk of colorectal, bladder, and prostate cancers.
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NewsNatural probiotic discovered in UK newborns’ microbiomes
Newborn babies have one of three pioneer bacteria in their gut shortly after birth, one of which could be used to develop new personalised infant therapeutic probiotics, researchers show.
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NewsWestern superbugs do not dominate in Pakistan, study reveals
Certain antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria endemic to the UK, Norway and the USA have not taken hold in Pakistan despite the widespread use of antibiotics in this region.
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NewsMobile phone data helps track pathogen spread and evolution of superbugs
Combining genomic data and human travel patterns over a 14-year period in South Africa reveals key insights into the spread, evolution and resistance patterns of a major bacterium behind pneumonia and meningitis globally.
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NewsSepsis patients could get the right treatment faster, based on their genes
New research uncovers how different people respond to sepsis based on their genetic makeup, which could help identify who would benefit from certain treatments and lead to the development of targeted therapies.
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NewsSource of pregnancy complications from infections revealed by placenta map
The first panoramic view of infection pathways in the human placenta has been created, which could highlight potential drug targets to develop pregnancy-safe therapies for malaria, toxoplasmosis and listeria.
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NewsDeeper understanding of malaria parasite sexual development unlocks opportunities to block disease spread
For the first time, the developmental stages of the deadliest human malaria parasite have been mapped in high resolution, allowing researchers to understand this ever-adapting adversary in more detail than previously possible.
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NewsSpecific nasal cells protect against COVID-19 in children
Important differences in how the nasal cells of young and elderly people respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, could explain why children typically experience milder COVID-19 symptoms, a new study finds.
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NewsLives could be saved from tropical disease with new rapid test
A new test diagnoses patients with melioidosis within hours, rather than days, meaning they can receive the correct antibiotics faster.
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NewsAntibiotic use is not the only driver of superbugs
Researchers have analysed the rise of antibiotic resistance over the last 20 years in the UK and Norway, highlighting that antibiotic use is not the only factor in the increase.
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NewsPocket-sized DNA sequencers track malaria drug resistance in Ghana in near real-time
A team of scientists working in Ghana have pioneered on-site genomic surveillance to track changes in the malaria parasite, achieving sampling to sequencing within 48 hours. This will guide local interventions and policy in near real-time.
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NewsAntibiotic-resistant bacteria mapped in Ghana
The first genomic surveillance of Klebsiella bacteria in Ghana has shown that heavily antibiotic-resistant pathogens are only found in hospital settings, an insight which could be used to help inform control measures.
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NewsGenes fuelling antibiotic resistance in Yemen cholera outbreak uncovered
Widespread antibiotic resistance among cholera-causing bacteria causing the outbreak in Yemen since 2018 explained by gene mixing.
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NewsSyphilis transmission networks and AMR in England uncovered using genomics
Scientists use genomics to uncover syphilis transmission patterns in England, in a pioneering new approach for STI surveillance.
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NewsNew cholera substrains in Bangladesh uncovered by genomic surveillance
Researchers have uncovered two new cholera substrains in a displaced refugee population in southern Bangladesh, where a pre-emptive mass vaccination campaign of over one million refugees was successful in preventing an epidemic.
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NewsMapping evolution of E. coli virulence factor offers refined drug target
Researchers have presented evidence that targeting the K1 capsule can be used as the basis of treatment, paving the way to prevent serious E. coli infections.