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University of Perugia researcher to lead BioNanoFilter European clinical trial on Group B Strep

NanoLogix, a biotechnology innovator in the rapid detection and identification of live-cell bacteria and microorganisms, announced today its BioNanoFilter (BNF) technology will undergo a clinical trial, led by Dr. Gian Carlo Di Renzo of the University of Perugia in Italy.

7 Jun 2011

GW researchers demonstrate Mta1 gene's role in survival of schistosomes

By using mice lacking a crucial gene that controls the process of chromatin remodeling of cytokines including those responsible for inflammation and comparing them to normal wild type mice with the gene, researchers at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences have shown that the gene, Mta1, is essential for the parasite Schistosoma haematobium to establish a productive infection and survival in the host.

4 Jun 2011

Peptide vaccine, Interleukin-2 show promise for patients with metastatic melanoma

For patients with advanced melanoma, which is the most lethal type of skin cancer, the results of a large clinical trial show that a vaccine combined with the immune-boosting drug Interleukin-2 can improve response rate and progression-free survival.

4 Jun 2011

E coli outbreak in Germany continues

As the current virulent Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) outbreak in Germany spreads, experts from The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) are concerned not only about the pressure health facilities are being put under, but also the use of antibiotics and broader implications for preparedness across Europe to cope, both now and in the future.

3 Jun 2011

Stevens Institute of Technology to host conference on bacteria-material interactions

On June 9-10, Stevens Institute of Technology will host the Stevens Conference on Bacteria-Material Interactions, an event that covers the latest multi-disciplinary research in the area of infection-resistant biomaterials.

3 Jun 2011

Copper effectively prevents spread of new E. coli strains

As the World Health Organisation suggests the E. coli outbreak in Germany is a strain never before seen in an outbreak - O104:H4 - laboratory science conducted at the University of Southampton indicates a role for copper in preventing the spread of such infections.

3 Jun 2011

Study provides insights into evolution and origins of MRSA

A distinctly new type of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is not detected by traditional genetic screening methods has been discovered in patients in Irish hospitals according to research to be published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

3 Jun 2011

PCF funds 14 new Creativity Awards for advanced prostate cancer research

The Prostate Cancer Foundation today announced that it has funded 14 new Creativity Awards for advanced prostate cancer research. These two-year awards are designed to support innovative research ideas that have the potential to achieve breakthroughs for improved prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.

2 Jun 2011

Cell phones of hospital patients, visitors likely to contain potentially dangerous bacteria

Cell phones used by patients and their visitors were twice as likely to contain potentially dangerous bacteria as those of healthcare workers, according to a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of APIC - the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

1 Jun 2011

Possible defense for community-acquired pneumonia among the elderly

Community-acquired pneumonia is the leading cause of infectious death among the elderly. Newly published research from The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio suggests why older people are vulnerable and offers a possible defense.

27 May 2011

PolyMedix presents new pre-clinical data on antimicrobial compounds at two scientific meetings

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat life-threatening infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, announced today that new pre-clinical data for its novel, defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds was recently presented at two prestigious scientific meetings, including the American Society of Microbiology.

25 May 2011

Fungi help increase food-production without the need for massive amounts of fertilizers

The next agricultural revolution may be sparked by fungi, helping to greatly increase food-production for the growing needs of the planet without the need for massive amounts of fertilizers according to research presented today at the 111th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in New Orleans.

24 May 2011

Research could pave way toward new anti-bacterial treatments

A group of proteins that act as the body's built-in line of defense against invading bacteria use a molecular trick to induce bacteria to destroy themselves, researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have determined. The research could point the way toward new anti-bacterial treatments that could take on bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

24 May 2011

Sangamo announces presentations of ZFP Therapeutics data at ASGCT 2011

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today that data from clinical, preclinical and research-stage programs focused on the development of zinc finger DNA-binding protein Therapeutics were described in twenty presentations given by Sangamo scientists and collaborators at the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy.

23 May 2011

H. pylori infection could play a role in Parkinson's disease development

The stomach bacteria responsible for ulcers could also play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease according to research presented today at the 111th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

23 May 2011

Merck's VICTRELIS receives European CHMP positive opinion for treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 infection

Merck, today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive opinion under accelerated assessment recommending approval of the investigational medicine VICTRELIS (boceprevir) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection, in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, in adult patients with compensated liver disease who are previously untreated or who have failed previous therapy.

20 May 2011

Indian wild plants offer hope against resistant infections

Cancer treatments often have the side effect of impairing the patient's immune system. This can result in life-threatening secondary infections from bacteria and fungi, especially since bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, are becoming multi-drug resistant.

20 May 2011

Abbott RealTime PCR assay for measuring HCV viral load receives FDA marketing approval

Abbott announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market its RealTime PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for measuring the viral load of hepatitis C (HCV), the leading cause of liver cancer in the United States.

19 May 2011

Thermo Fisher Scientific acquires Sterilin

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced that it has acquired Sterilin, Ltd., a leading provider of single-use plastic products serving the microbiology, life sciences and clinical markets.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 18 May 2011

Epstein-Barr virus might cause multiple sclerosis, study confirms

The Epstein-Barr (EVB) virus -belonging to the herpesviruses family, which also includes the herpes simplex virus and the cytomegalovirus- is one of the environmental factors that might cause multiple sclerosis, a condition affecting the central nervous system, which causes are unknown.

18 May 2011

Microbiology News and Research

University of Perugia researcher to lead BioNanoFilter European clinical trial on Group B Strep

GW researchers demonstrate Mta1 gene's role in survival of schistosomes

Peptide vaccine, Interleukin-2 show promise for patients with metastatic melanoma

E coli outbreak in Germany continues

Stevens Institute of Technology to host conference on bacteria-material interactions

Copper effectively prevents spread of new E. coli strains

Study provides insights into evolution and origins of MRSA

PCF funds 14 new Creativity Awards for advanced prostate cancer research

Cell phones of hospital patients, visitors likely to contain potentially dangerous bacteria

Possible defense for community-acquired pneumonia among the elderly

PolyMedix presents new pre-clinical data on antimicrobial compounds at two scientific meetings

Fungi help increase food-production without the need for massive amounts of fertilizers

Research could pave way toward new anti-bacterial treatments

Sangamo announces presentations of ZFP Therapeutics data at ASGCT 2011

H. pylori infection could play a role in Parkinson's disease development

Merck's VICTRELIS receives European CHMP positive opinion for treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 infection

Indian wild plants offer hope against resistant infections

Abbott RealTime PCR assay for measuring HCV viral load receives FDA marketing approval

Thermo Fisher Scientific acquires Sterilin

Epstein-Barr virus might cause multiple sclerosis, study confirms

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