Pathogen News and Research

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Targeting the Chagas Parasite by Interrupting Its Lifecycle

Chagas disease is often called a silent killer because many people don't realize they have it until complications from the infection kill them.

9 Jun 2025

Chitin Facilitates Gene Transfer Across Species Through Natural Transformation Among Vibrio cholerae

A study in PNAS reveals that chitin promotes gene transfer in marine environments by binding environmental DNA and enhancing natural transformation in Vibrio cholerae, with implications for microbial evolution and ecosystem diversity.

6 Jun 2025

New Diagnostic Tool Enhances Early Detection of Viruses with Powerful Bioluminescence

Mass General Brigham researchers are shining a powerful new light into the viral darkness with the development of Luminescence CAscade-based Sensor (LUCAS), a rapid, portable, highly-sensitive diagnostic tool for processing complex biological samples.

2 Jun 2025

Zika Virus Hijacks Cellular Cleanup to Suppress Immune Response

A new study reveals the biological secret to the Zika virus's infectious success: Zika uses host cells' own "self-care" system of clearing away useless molecules to suppress the host proteins that the virus has employed to get into those cells in the first place.

28 May 2025

Exploring the Flexible Structure of Sulfite Reductase Enzyme

Visualization of sulfite reductase's structure offers insights into sulfur chemistry, aiding in drug development and understanding bacterial energy sources.

28 May 2025

Broad Spectrum Pathogen Detection Achieved Through Metagenomic Sequencing

A recent study on the application of Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) found that mNGS can achieve early detection of pathogens and accelerate the development of targeted anti-infection treatment plans, thereby improving treatment outcomes and patient prognosis.

24 May 2025

RNA Editing and Transcriptional Switching Shape Fungal Antiviral Response

The expression of symptoms of viral infections is a byproduct of complex virus-host molecular pathways. These remain largely unknown, especially in the case of fungus-virus pathogen systems.

24 May 2025

Gene Loss and Gain Shaped the Evolution of Relapsing Fever Bacteria

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and UCL have analyzed ancient DNA from Borrelia recurrentis, a type of bacteria that causes relapsing fever, pinpointing when it evolved to spread through lice rather than ticks, and how it gained and lost genes in the process.

24 May 2025

Uncovering How Cholera Evaded Phages For Epidemic Success

Cholera bacteria engage in microscopic battles with phages, influencing pandemic dynamics and highlighting the role of viral defenses in outbreak management.

23 May 2025

New Bacterial Consortium can Inhibit Bacterial Pathogens in Aquaculture

A new study by Danish researchers has demonstrated that it is possible to develop a consortium of bacteria that can inhibit bacterial pathogens in aquaculture.

22 May 2025

Autophagy: A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer and Protein Conformational Disorders

A new FEBS Letters review explores the dual role of autophagy in cancer and protein misfolding diseases—highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target and the challenges of tipping the balance between protection and harm.

20 May 2025

Environmental Nanoplastics Linked to Increased Foodborne Virus Severity

There are nanoplastics everywhere. These particles are found in water, food, and bodies; they are so small that they can build up on bacteria and be absorbed by plant roots.

20 May 2025

Real Time RNA Tracking in Plants Using Fluorescent Biosensors

RNA acts as a messenger inside cells, carrying instructions from DNA that are translated into proteins that are essential for how cells function.

15 May 2025

Scientists Use AI to Predict Future Viruses and Design Better Vaccines

Effective vaccines dramatically changed the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing illness, reducing disease severity, and saving millions of lives.

10 May 2025

‘Superbug’ Found to Digest Medical Plastic

Pathogen shown to break down plastic used in sutures, stents, wound dressings and implants – raising new questions over device safety and hospital infections.

7 May 2025

How Bacteria Outsmart Plant Immunity Using a Sugar-Coated Trick

In the intricate world of plant-microbe interactions, plants are continuously defending themselves against invading bacteria. New research highlights the sophisticated strategies these bacterial invaders employ.

23 Apr 2025

Novel Compound Targets Salmonella's Infection Mechanism

Pathogenic Salmonella strains inject effector proteins into gastrointestinal tract cells, allowing them to infiltrate and grow. Bacteria are often consumed with contaminated food.

15 Apr 2025

How P. syringae Outsmarts Amoeba with Chemical Surveillance and Strikes

Pseudomonas syringae's chemical sensing system allows it to kill amoeba predators, showcasing its evolutionary strategies for survival and plant infection.

14 Apr 2025

Novel Microscopy Reveals Two-Stage T-Cell Activation During Viral Infection

The research teams led by Wolfgang Kastenmüller and Georg Gasteiger utilized advanced microscopy techniques to investigate the activation and proliferation of specific immune cells, known as T-cells, during viral infections.

11 Apr 2025