Pathogen News and Research

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Small fragments of keratin protein in the eye play a key role in warding off pathogens

When it comes to germ-busting power, the eyes have it, according to a discovery by University of California, Berkeley, researchers that could lead to new, inexpensive antimicrobial drugs.

25 Sep 2012

Researchers identify subgroups of B cells in MYC-positive germinal centers

Germinal centers are sites in the organs of the lymphatic system, formed during the course of an immune response to infection, where B cells intensely proliferate and modify their DNA in order to produce antibodies specific for the pathogen. However, it is known that the vast majority of lymphomas derive from the B cells at the germinal centers.

24 Sep 2012

Isolating and concentrating cells from whole blood: an interview with Victor Ugaz

There are several reasons for this. One is because analysis involving different kinds of blood cells may require you to be able to separate red blood cells from white blood cells, or plasma from whole blood etc.

21 Sep 2012

GSK3 inhibition protects against gum disease

Treatment with the cell-permeable glycogen synthase kinase -3β-specific enzyme inhibitor SB216763 successfully suppresses alveolar bone loss in mice infected with the main periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, report researchers.

20 Sep 2012

Xenex's pulsed xenon UV more effective than bleach in decontaminating C. diff surfaces

Healthcare associated infections (also referred to as HAIs or hospital acquired infections) are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, costing more than $30 billion each year. Evidence continues to mount that hospital cleanliness plays a role in the spread of HAIs, which are caused by deadly pathogens such as C. diff, MRSA, VRE and Acinetobacter.

19 Sep 2012

Study finds identical strains of antibiotic-resistant C. coli in ABF and conventionally raised pigs

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found identical strains of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter coli (C. coli) in both antibiotic-free (ABF) and conventionally raised pigs.

18 Sep 2012

No association between XMRV/pMLV and chronic fatigue syndrome

The causes of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have long eluded scientists. In 2009, a paper in the journal Science linked the syndrome-sometimes called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)-to infection with a mouse retrovirus called XMRV (xenotropic murine leukemia virus (MLV)-related virus).

18 Sep 2012

Compelling data from two ITS Flunisyn Phase I clinical trials against multiple strains of influenza A

Immune Targeting Systems Limited, an emerging leader in the development of vaccines that promote T-cell responses against viruses and cancers, today announces compelling data from two Phase I clinical trials of FlunisynTM, the Company's lead vaccine programme which elicits potent immune responses against multiple strains of influenza-A virus.

18 Sep 2012

Case Western Reserve researcher discovers new antivirulence drugs against MRSA and strep

Menachem Shoham, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, has discovered novel antivirulence drugs that, without killing the bacteria, render Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly referred to as strep, harmless by preventing the production of toxins that cause disease.

13 Sep 2012

Blocking GSK3b enzyme can prevent bacterial-induced periodontal bone loss

A University of Louisville scientist has found a way to prevent inflammation and bone loss surrounding the teeth by blocking a natural signaling pathway of the enzyme GSK3b, which plays an important role in directing the immune response.

12 Sep 2012

Arsanis to develop monoclonal antibody therapeutics against nosocomial infections

Arsanis Biosciences GmbH, an early stage biotechnology company developing anti-infective human monoclonal antibodies, today announced the award of two major grants for the development of monoclonal antibody therapeutics against nosocomial infections.

11 Sep 2012

Pathogens identified in majority of childhood CAP hospitalizations

A comprehensive investigation of childhood community-acquired pneumonia in Taiwan has identified at least one pathogen in 85% of previously healthy children.

10 Sep 2012

Atox Bio AB103 for Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections granted FDA Fast Track designation

Atox Bio, a clinical stage biotechnology company engaged in the development of novel immunemodulators for severe infections in critically ill patients, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track designation to AB103, its lead product, currently in development for the treatment of Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections (NSTI).

10 Sep 2012

Simple low-cost biosensor to detect contaminated drinking water

Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old - killing as many as 1.5 million children worldwide every year. These startling statistics from the World Health Organization (2009) point to the reason why a group of undergraduate students from Arizona State University is working to develop a low-cost biosensor - a simple device that would detect contaminated drinking water.

7 Sep 2012

Whole-genome sequencing can track origin and movement of TB pathogens

Reconstructing the spread of killer diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) from person to person using DNA sequencing quickly identifies the origin and movement of pathogens. This approach is directly informing public health strategies to control infectious disease outbreaks, says a scientist speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of Warwick.

4 Sep 2012

Researchers discover new immune response mechanism during infection

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have discovered a new "first response" mechanism that the immune system uses to respond to infection. The findings challenge the current understanding of immunity and could lead to new strategies for boosting effectiveness of all vaccines. The study, conducted in mice, published online today in the journal Immunity.

31 Aug 2012

SPR microscopy examines binding kinetics of membrane proteins

Proteins adorning the surfaces of human cells perform an array of essential functions, including cell signaling, communication and the transport of vital substances into and out of cells. They are critical targets for drug delivery and many proteins are now being identified as disease biomarkers - early warning beacons announcing the pre-symptomatic presence of cancers and other diseases.

29 Aug 2012

Nicotinamide may combat antibiotic-resistance staph infections

A new study suggests that nicotinamide, more commonly known as vitamin B3, may be able to combat some of the antibiotic-resistance staph infections that are increasingly common around the world, have killed thousands and can pose a significant threat to public health.

28 Aug 2012

PEI adjuvant improves effect of vaccines against flu, HIV and herpes

Oxford University scientists have discovered a compound that greatly boosts the effect of vaccines against viruses like flu, HIV and herpes in mice.

26 Aug 2012

PathGEN signs Powered by Affymetrix Program agreement

Affymetrix, Inc. and PathGEN Dx Pte. Ltd., a spin-off molecular diagnostics company founded by researchers from the Genome Institute of Singapore, today announced they have signed a Powered by Affymetrix (PbA) Program agreement

24 Aug 2012

Pathogen News and Research

Small fragments of keratin protein in the eye play a key role in warding off pathogens

Researchers identify subgroups of B cells in MYC-positive germinal centers

Isolating and concentrating cells from whole blood: an interview with Victor Ugaz

GSK3 inhibition protects against gum disease

Xenex's pulsed xenon UV more effective than bleach in decontaminating C. diff surfaces

Study finds identical strains of antibiotic-resistant C. coli in ABF and conventionally raised pigs

No association between XMRV/pMLV and chronic fatigue syndrome

Compelling data from two ITS Flunisyn Phase I clinical trials against multiple strains of influenza A

Case Western Reserve researcher discovers new antivirulence drugs against MRSA and strep

Blocking GSK3b enzyme can prevent bacterial-induced periodontal bone loss

Arsanis to develop monoclonal antibody therapeutics against nosocomial infections

Pathogens identified in majority of childhood CAP hospitalizations

Atox Bio AB103 for Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections granted FDA Fast Track designation

Simple low-cost biosensor to detect contaminated drinking water

Whole-genome sequencing can track origin and movement of TB pathogens

Researchers discover new immune response mechanism during infection

SPR microscopy examines binding kinetics of membrane proteins

Nicotinamide may combat antibiotic-resistance staph infections

PEI adjuvant improves effect of vaccines against flu, HIV and herpes

PathGEN signs Powered by Affymetrix Program agreement

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