Bacillus Subtilis News and Research

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Genome-mining tool reveals new antibiotic hidden in a silent gene cluster

Researchers developed DiscERN, a genome-mining platform that combines four complementary algorithms to identify evolutionarily related biosynthetic gene clusters and prioritize candidates for experimental study. The approach revealed discomycin A, a previously unknown calcium-dependent lipopeptide antibiotic with potent activity against several Gram-positive bacteria.

15 Jul 2026

New research reveals how dying bacteria force cell ejection

Popular science fiction is no stranger to escape pod scenarios, typically featuring characters who narrowly avoid their demise by jettisoning from a spaceship - think R2-D2 and C-3PO shooting away from a rebel spaceship in the opening of Star Wars: A New Hope. Biologists at the University of California San Diego have found that communities of bacteria feature a similar ejection capability.

7 Jul 2026

Researchers uncover unexpected bacterial strategy for surviving antibiotic stress

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are mostly harmless bacteria that live in the intestines of animals and humans. They are the most well-studied bacteria and, often, when scientists discover something about E. coli, they extrapolate that discovery across all bacteria.

3 Jul 2026

Surface acids found crucial for bacterial shape and growth

Researchers have discovered how acids on the surface of bacteria give these microscopic organisms their characteristic "rod" shape-by keeping an enzyme at bay that would otherwise turn the cylindrical cells into shape-shifting blobs.

26 May 2026

Decoy strategy boosts natural bacteria to clean polluted soils

Aromatic compounds, such as dioxins and benzene, are major soil pollutants. Their high chemical stability makes them resistant to microbial and chemical degradation, leading to toxic accumulation in the soil.

11 Apr 2026

Viruses eavesdrop on signals but risk making harmful decisions

Viruses can "eavesdrop" on each other using chemical signals – but it can backfire for the eavesdropper, new research shows.

31 Mar 2026

Probiotic therapy may offer a simple strategy to help prevent premature births

Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal illness and death, especially among women with a history of premature delivery.

30 Mar 2026

New AI model eliminates false positives in food testing

Researchers have significantly enhanced an artificial intelligence tool used to rapidly detect bacterial contamination in food by eliminating misclassifications of food debris that looks like bacteria.

10 Feb 2026

Natural nasal microbes offer broad-spectrum antiviral protection

Respiratory viral diseases pose severe threats to animal health and global food security, especially in intensive pig farming systems.

10 Oct 2025

Why Mānuka isn't the only healing honey from New Zealand anymore

New research from Auckland University of Technology reveals that eight native New Zealand honeys, beyond mānuka, possess unique antioxidant, antibacterial, and bioactive properties. Thyme and beech honeydew stood out for their vitamin C and polyphenol content.

25 Mar 2025

Electric current in gut attracts pathogens like Salmonella

Salmonella typhimurium's infection mechanism involves gut bioelectric signals, influencing its localization and interactions within the intestinal environment.

5 Sep 2024

Scientists map food microbes and their gut microbiome impact

Researchers unveiled the curatedFoodMetagenomicData (cFMD) resource, revealing extensive microbial diversity in food and its impact on the human microbiome, with significant overlap found in infants.

1 Sep 2024

Korean fermented food Doenjang shows promise in alleviating menopausal symptoms

Study compares the effects of traditional versus commercial Korean Doenjang on menopausal symptoms, finding that traditional variants with high beneficial microorganisms are more effective in reducing these symptoms and improving cardiovascular and gut health.

21 Apr 2024

CRISPR opens doors for novel probiotic functions and applications

Humans can benefit significantly from symbiotic relationships with probiotics - live bacteria and microorganisms that influence the gut microbiota.

13 Dec 2023

Researchers profile new drug combinations to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Antimicrobial resistance – occurring when pathogens can survive antibiotic treatment – is one of the most rapidly emerging global public health threats today.

19 Oct 2023

Turning fish waste into cancer fighters: How abalone viscera peptides could be the next big thing in medicine

Researchers explore the potential of bioactive peptides from abalone fish viscera for their antimicrobial and anticancer properties. The study finds promising activity against various bacterial and fungal strains, as well as cytotoxic effects on prostate cancer cells.

17 Sep 2023

Clovibactin - a game-changing novel antibiotic with no resistance

Researchers reported the discovery of a new antibiotic, clovibactin.

6 Sep 2023

The gut microbiome of critically ill individuals and its modification by immunonutrition and probiotics

Gut dysbiosis among critically ill individuals

16 Aug 2023

Endophytic fungi Penicillium verhagenii: an exploration of its anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and larvicidal activity

Researchers explored the use of endophytic fungi to fabricate selenium nanoparticles.

6 Jun 2023

Japanese natto consumption may help realize a healthy and longer-living society

Health is wealth as the saying goes and new research now shows that it is possible to have a healthy, less stressed society through familiar and inexpensive foods.

26 May 2023