Microorganism News and Research

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UMass, PolyMedix receive Phase 2 STTR contract to conduct test on antimicrobial compounds

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass), have received a Phase 2 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract in the amount of $750,000.

17 Nov 2010

PPH uses Xenex PX-UV disinfection system to destroy microorganisms causing HAIs

Palomar Pomerado Health (PPH) today announced it is the first health system in California to use the Xenex PX-UV disinfection system in its patient and operating rooms. The Xenex system is the fastest, safest and most cost-effective method for the advanced cleaning of hospital rooms in the world today, scientifically proven to destroy all major classes of microorganisms that cause hospital acquired infections (HAIs), such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff).

11 Nov 2010

Popular antimicrobial chemicals may not be safe for human health and environment

Killing microorganisms has become a national obsession. A pair of antimicrobial compounds known as triclosan and triclocarban are lately the weapons of choice in our war of attrition against the microbial world. Both chemicals are found in an array of personal care products like antimicrobial soaps, and triclosan also is formulated into everyday items ranging from plastics and toys to articles of clothing.

10 Nov 2010

Vacuum cleaner with UV technology effective at reducing carpet's surface microbes

New research suggests that the addition of ultraviolet light to the brushing and suction of a vacuum cleaner can almost double the removal of potentially infectious microorganisms from a carpet's surface when compared to vacuuming alone.

2 Nov 2010

FDA approves Teflaro for treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

Forest Laboratories, Inc. announced today that Teflaro(ceftaroline fosamil), a broad-spectrum bactericidal cephalosporin with activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), including cases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia, and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI), including cases caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

30 Oct 2010

North American children may be 'too clean'

Rising levels of allergic asthma and eczema in North American children have Canadian scientists wondering if there is such a thing as being "too clean." "We see auto-immune diseases like asthma and eczema increasing rapidly in North American children, but we don't see the same effect in children in the developing world," says Dr. B. Brett Finlay, a Professor in the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia.

29 Oct 2010

Max Planck Innovation licenses new software for metabolite analysis

Max Planck Innovation licenses analysis-technology for metabolites . Max Planck Innovation GmbH, the technology transfer organization of the Max Planck Society, has awarded an exclusive license for the analysis software TagFinder to Metabolomic Discoveries GmbH, a service provider in biochemical research.

28 Oct 2010

BioSilta releases EnPresso tablet that regulates protein production in recombinant bacteria

BioSilta announces the release of the EnPresso Tablet Cultivation Set, a tabletised form of the patented EnBase technology. The EnBase technology is based on providing an enzymatic-controlled glucose supply in a fed-batch type manner, which allows an extended growth period and promotes higher final cell density.

27 Oct 2010

Union Springs, BIOSAFE enter agreement to commercialize HM4100 products

Kentucky-based Union Springs Pharmaceuticals announced today an agreement with BIOSAFE® of Pittsburgh to market products containing the patented and novel antimicrobial polymer, HM4100. Similar to its flagship product, MyClyns (antimicrobial germ spray), Union Springs Pharmaceuticals will identify the products as MyClyns Antimicrobial Surface Treatments and will be the first company to bring these unique products to the market.

22 Oct 2010

UTHSC-Houston initiates enrollment in NanoLogix technology trial for detection of GBS in pregnant women

NanoLogix, an innovator in the accelerated detection and identification of microorganisms, announced today that the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston is enrolling 300 patients in an ongoing clinical trial to study the speed and accuracy of NanoLogix technology. The trial is designed to compare NanoLogix technology to current methods in use for detection and identification of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnant women.

20 Oct 2010

Research calls for better environmental risk assessments of pharmaceuticals

The strategies used to assess the environmental risks posed by pharmaceuticals are not enough to protect natural microbial communities, reveals a researcher from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) who is calling for better environmental risk assessments.

19 Oct 2010

CIHR, Genome BC announce $5.4 million for microbiome research

The University of British Columbia today welcomed the announcement of $5.4 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Genome British Columbia for research into how micro-organisms affect human health.

15 Oct 2010

Researchers study bacterial ecosystem to optimize women's health

A team of Canadian researchers are examining the delicate balance of bacteria and viruses in women's bodies in order to optimize women's health through their lives.

15 Oct 2010

FDA files complaint for permanent injunction against Brooklyn Juice Company

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Justice today filed a complaint for permanent injunction against a Brooklyn juice company to prevent it from processing and distributing juice products.

8 Oct 2010

FDA announces dates for public hearing on Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has scheduled a two-day public hearing on Nov. 2-3, 2010, on the implementation of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation (BPCI) Act of 2009. The hearing will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the FDA's White Oak Campus, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Building 31, room 1503, in Silver Spring, Md.

4 Oct 2010

'Intraluminal protection' IV needleless connector more effective in preventing CLABSIs: Study

A lengthy study performed at Methodist Extended Care Hospital resulted in the elimination of potentially deadly infections. The study findings were reported in a scientific poster presentation at the recent annual meeting of the Association for Vascular Access (AVA), a leading national organization focusing on patient safety and best nursing practices.

30 Sep 2010

FDA clears Abbott's RevitaLens Ocutec contact lens disinfecting solution

Abbott has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) market clearance for RevitaLens Ocutec™, a unique next-generation multi-purpose disinfecting solution for silicone hydrogel and conventional soft contact lenses.

30 Sep 2010

Cintas’s new white paper offers EVS tips to reduce hospital-acquired infections

Cintas Corporation today announced the availability of a new white paper that offers Environmental Service Directors (EVS) tips to improve the handling of cleaning materials to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).

28 Sep 2010

OpGen completes Series B equity financing

OpGen, Inc., a commercial phase genomics company, today announced the successful completion of a $17 million Series B equity financing.