How does an intestinal microbe become a pathogen?
The bacterium Escherichia coli is found in the human intestine, and elsewhere. There it is harmless, but in certain conditions it can become a pathogen. It can cause bladder infections or even sepsis. A team of researchers led by RESIST professor Mar.....»»
Plant-microbe interactions underpin contrasting enzymatic responses to wetland drainage
Researchers led by Professor Feng Xiaojuan from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS) have analyzed the divergent responses of carbon-degrading enzymes to wetland drainage and found that enzymatic response to long-term dr.....»»
Study analyzes potato-pathogen "arms race" after Irish potato famine
In an examination of the genetic material found in historic potato leaves, North Carolina State University researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish.....»»
Study: Vps21 signaling pathway regulates white-opaque switching and mating in Candida albicans
In a paper published in Mycology, a team of scientists present that the conserved Vps21 signaling pathway plays critical roles in the regulation of white-opaque switching and mating in the major human fungal pathogen C. albicans......»»
Interdisciplinary approach provides new insights into molecular mechanisms of cholera infection
Cholera infections caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria can be life-threatening and the trigger is the cholera toxin produced by the bacteria. It binds to the surface of intestinal cells—more precisely, to certain "sugar lipids" (GM1 gangliosides, GM.....»»
Study finds pumpkin pathogen not evolving, which could make a difference for management
The pathogen that causes bacterial spot is very good at what it does. Forming small lesions on the rinds of pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits, it mars the fruits' appearance and ushers in secondary pathogens that lead to rot and severe.....»»
Certain bacteria or fungi could combat a plant pathogen that attacks common vetch
Anthracnose, a severe disease caused by the Colletotrichum spinaciae plant pathogen, often occurs in common vetch, a widely grown legume. Chemicals are not recommended for disease management because the plants are used as livestock feed. A new study.....»»
New microbe-central model predicts global grassland soil pH under climate change
In a study published in One Earth on July 5, a research team led by Prof. Deng Ye from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed the core-bacteria-forecast model (CoBacFM), which links the changes.....»»
Researchers reveal how myrtle rust pathogen breaks into a host plant
A recent study looking at the molecular foundation of myrtle rust reveals how the pathogen breaks into a host plant and how the host plant responds. This insight will inform the design of useful tools to prevent future break-ins and safeguard plant h.....»»
This Start-Up Wants You to Put Custom Bacteria on Your Teeth
Lumina Probiotic has said a genetically modified microbe could prevent cavities. Experts, though, have safety concerns.....»»
Researchers develop tool for detecting foodborne pathogen that causes severe symptoms in children
The prevalence of pathogenic E. coli has meant the frequent misidentification of a similar bacterium of the Escherichia genus. E. albertii is an emerging zoonotic foodborne pathogen, first isolated in Bangladesh in 1991. Large-scale outbreaks of food.....»»
Researchers identify the pathogen causing sea urchin mass mortalities in the Red Sea
A continuing study from Tel Aviv University has found that the deadly epidemic discovered last year, which has essentially wiped out Eilat's most abundant and ecologically significant sea urchins, has spread across the Red Sea and into the Indian Oce.....»»
Finland"s wizards making food out of thin air
At a factory in Finland, the "farmers of the future" are making a new food protein by feeding a microbe air and electricity, proving that protein can be produced without traditional agriculture......»»
Fast track to food safety: New test spots seafood pathogen in 30 minutes
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a Gram-negative, halophilic bacterium prevalent in marine environments and is the primary cause of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis, also known as early death syndrome, in aquaculture......»»
Laboratory and natural strains of intestinal bacterium turn out to have similar mutational profiles
Understanding mutational processes in a cell offers clues to the evolution of a genome. Most actively, mutation processes are studied in human cancer cells, while other genomes are often neglected......»»
The GMO tooth microbe that is supposed to prevent cavities
Some experts have concerns over the safety of the genetically modified bacteria. Enlarge (credit: zhangshuang via Getty) About seven years ago, Aaron Silverbook and his then-girlfriend, a biologist, were perusing old sci.....»»
Researchers find cryptic genetic element in the human gut that could serve as a sensitive biomarker
A component of the human intestinal flora that has been little studied to date is the focus of a new study from Germany. Plasmids are small extrachromosomal genetic elements that frequently occur in bacterial cells and can influence microbial lifesty.....»»
New study reveals novel approach for combating "resting" bacteria
Most disease-causing bacteria are known for their speed: In mere minutes, they can double their population, quickly making a person sick. But just as dangerous as this rapid growth can be a bacterium's resting state, which helps the pathogen evade an.....»»
Gut microbiota and antibiotics: Missing puzzle piece discovered
The intricacies of how intestinal bacteria adapt to their environment have yet to be fully explored. Researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) in Würzburg and the University of California, Berkeley, U.S., have.....»»
Tropical plants beat drought by interacting with specific microbes, study shows
Plant-soil-microbe interactions play a crucial role in processes that take place in the soil directly around plant roots, or the rhizosphere, and these processes contribute to nutrient cycling and metabolite turnover in the environment. Amid the wate.....»»
New starting point discovered in the fight against P. aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen responsible for life-threatening infections that are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Researchers from TWINCORE, the Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Re.....»»