Microbiology News and Research

RSS

New COVID-19 mouse model helps advance vaccine development

A new COVID-19 mouse model developed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill captures many of the features of human disease and has helped advance a COVID-19 vaccine candidate to clinical trial.

28 Aug 2020

Each person's gut has a unique viral 'fingerprint'

Each person's gut virus composition is as unique as a fingerprint, according to the first study to assemble a comprehensive database of viral populations in the human digestive system.

25 Aug 2020

STING protein activates a pathway that kills tumor-fighting immune cells

The immune protein STING has long been noted for helping protect against viruses and tumors by signaling a well-known immune molecule. Now, UT Southwestern scientists have revealed that STING also activates a separate pathway, one that directly kills tumor-fighting immune cells.

25 Aug 2020

Study provides a SnapShot of FABP proteins linked to obesity

Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), function as a kind of chaperone, synchronizing the transport of various molecules, including fatty acids, between cells.

24 Aug 2020

Study reveals a mechanism for lower-quality immune response in patients with severe COVID-19

The release of massive amounts of proteins called cytokines can lead to some of the most severe symptoms of COVID-19.

From Harvard Medical School 20 Aug 2020

Researchers study how bacteria adapt to their host cells

In the environment, they are often found inside unicellular organisms. A research team led by Matthias Horn at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science at the University of Vienna has made use of laboratory experiments to gain a better understanding of how these bacteria adapt to their host cell over time.

19 Aug 2020

New study reveals surprising features in coral sperm and eggs

When stony corals have their renowned mass spawning events, in sync with the moon's cycle, colonies simultaneously release an underwater "cloud" of sperm and eggs for fertilization.

From Rutgers University 19 Aug 2020

Study investigates how Ebola virus adapts to bat and human cells

A new study by researchers from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston uncovered new information on why the Ebola virus can live within bats without causing them harm, while the same virus wreaks deadly havoc to people.

19 Aug 2020

Researchers develop new, rapid test to diagnose COVID-19

A revolutionary test developed by scientists can now diagnose COVID-19 within 20 minutes.

18 Aug 2020

Study shows how viruses escape the immune system

Scientists from the University of Otago have gained a deeper understanding of how viruses work and escape the immune system. The team is presently using this finding to find out more about the COVID-19 pandemic.

18 Aug 2020

Ultra-low voltage electricity effectively damages and kills bacteria

Ultra-low voltage electricity is effective at killing bacteria because it causes membranes that surround bacteria to leak, according to a new study by University of Arkansas researchers. The research advances work to fight drug-resistant bacteria.

18 Aug 2020

New discovery offers hope for people at risk of antibiotic-resistant infections

There is new hope for approximately 700,000 people who die each year from antibiotic resistant infections, with University of Queensland researchers discovering how bacteria share antibiotic-resistance genes.

18 Aug 2020

Scientists discover bacteria's secret weapon to evade immune responses

Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute scientists have discovered a previously unknown method used by bacteria to evade immune responses.

18 Aug 2020

Study reveals why immunity boost from seasonal flu vaccines is not long lasting

A study from Emory Vaccine Center provides insights into why the boost in immunity from seasonal flu vaccination lasts for months but not years, unlike some childhood vaccinations.

14 Aug 2020

Flavonoids in sorghum roots may lead to development of frost-resistant crop

Flavonoid compounds -- produced by the roots of some sorghum plants -- positively affect soil microorganisms, according to Penn State researchers, who suggest the discovery is an early step in developing a frost-resistant line of the valuable crop for North American farmers.

14 Aug 2020

New method reverses antibiotic resistance in certain bacteria

Scientists have identified a novel method in which hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is used to reverse antibiotic resistance in certain bacteria.

13 Aug 2020

Researchers isolate fragile protein complex from heat-loving bacteria

Goethe University scientists have discovered what is probably the oldest enzyme found in cellular respiration. Now, the team has successfully isolated a highly delicate protein complex known as “Rnf” from the heat-loving bacterium called Thermotoga maritima.

10 Aug 2020