Bacteria News and Research

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FDA to change its policy regarding the post-harvest processing of raw Gulf Coast oysters

Several weeks ago, the FDA announced its intent to change, by summer 2011, its policy regarding the post-harvest processing of raw Gulf Coast oysters harvested in the warmer months.

17 Nov 2009

Students from the University of Edinburgh create custom-made bacteria to detect buried explosives

Scientists have developed a simple, cheap, accurate test to find undetected landmines.

17 Nov 2009

Recent developments at Burnham Institute for Medical Research

New antibiotics for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other pesky bacteria. Andrei Osterman and collaborators have used comparisons of bacterial genomes to identify new targets for antibiotics and produced first-generation chemical inhibitors of a class of bacterial enzymes, called NadDs (nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferases).

17 Nov 2009

PPD, Janssen Pharmaceutica to develop therapeutic compounds for IBS and bacterial infections

PPD, Inc. today announced it has entered an agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. to develop and commercialize two Phase II-ready therapeutic compounds, one to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-d) and the other to treat complicated skin and skin structure and respiratory infections.

17 Nov 2009

FDA issues a Complete Response Letter for Human Genome Sciences' raxibacumab BLA

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today announced that it has received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relating to the Company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) requesting the approval of raxibacumab for use in the treatment of inhalational anthrax. The FDA issues Complete Response Letters to request additional information needed to complete the review of a BLA.

16 Nov 2009

Indefinite expansion of adult cells without recourse to stem cell intermediates possible

Is the indefinite expansion of adult cells possible without recourse to stem cell intermediates? The team led by Michael Sieweke at the Centre d'immunologie de Marseille Luminy (Université Aix-Marseille 2 / CNRS / INSERM) has proved that this is the case by achieving the ex vivo regeneration for several months of macrophages, specialized cells in the immune system.

16 Nov 2009

Hope for vaccine against Chlamydia

"Now that we know how the body defends itself against the Chlamydia bacteria, we can develop a vaccine that optimises that defence. We have a basic understanding of how the vaccine could work, but some work remains to be done. We believe that it will take a few years before the vaccine becomes a reality," says researcher Ellen Marks, the author of the thesis.

16 Nov 2009

FDA provides marketing clearance for the Platelet PGD Test System

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared for marketing the Platelet PGD Test System, the first rapid test for the detection of bacterial contamination in pooled platelets derived from whole blood.

16 Nov 2009

Some combination drug therapies are counter-productive

Combination drug therapy has become a staple for treating many infections. For instance, doctors treat extensively drug resistant forms of tuberculosis with one drug that breaks down the pathogen's protective barriers and opens the door for another to deliver the deathblow.

16 Nov 2009

Vanderbilt University researchers study role of statins in reducing flu-related deaths

Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers are studying statins, the class of drugs long associated with lowering cholesterol, as a way to reduce H1N1-related deaths.

13 Nov 2009

Exposure to deadly bacteria can result in stillbirths

A new study shows the risk for severe effects of exposure to Listeria monocytogenes among susceptible populations may occur at doses lower than suggested by previous studies.

13 Nov 2009

Novel breakthrough may lead to new methods for sterilizing food and medical equipment

Got food poisoning? The cause might be bacterial spores, en extremely hardy survival form of bacteria, a nightmare for health care and the food industry and an enigma for scientists. Spore-forming bacteria, present almost everywhere in our environment, can also cause serious infectious diseases, such as tetanus, anthrax, and botulism.

12 Nov 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

"Traditional" infectious diseases — those, like flu and tuberculosis, that are caused by viruses or bacteria — are not the only aspects of health that can spread from one person to another. Taking up smoking is contagious; so is quitting. Obesity is contagious. So is happiness (Olivia Judson, 11/10).

12 Nov 2009

New microplate for BioFlux live cell imaging workstations

Fluxion Biosciences introduces a new microplate for its BioFlux live cell imaging workstations, extending their shear flow limits to simulate a variety of pathological vascular conditions. With the new High Shear Plate, the BioFlux systems can be an effective tool in thrombosis and platelet studies, cardiovascular and immunological drug screening and cell/bacteria adhesion research.

From Fluxion Biosciences 11 Nov 2009

Hand washing: Best method for killing germs and protecting oneself from flu

Fears of contracting the H1N1 virus this flu season have people steering clear of strangers with coughs and scolding friends who don't sneeze into their crooked elbows. With everyone trying to stay germ free, hand sanitizer has become a popular means of protection. But although a quick pump from a Purell dispenser is the most convenient form of hand cleaning, is it the best?

11 Nov 2009

UIC receives federal grant to develop new antibiotics against anthrax, tularemia and plague

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have received a $4 million federal grant to develop new antibiotics to treat anthrax, tularemia and plague.

11 Nov 2009

CSPI urges Congress to support FDA's efforts in protecting consumers from contaminated oysters

The Center for Science in the Public Interest was joined today by victims, consumer advocacy, and public health organizations in urging Congress to support the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts to protect consumers from contaminated oysters that each year cause scores of serious illnesses and deaths. The blood infection caused by Vibrio vulnificus bacteria in oysters is one of the most deadly foodborne illnesses, killing half of the people infected. Those who survive can have painful lesions and fluid-filled blisters all over their bodies, sometimes requiring limbs to be amputated. Four methods of post-harvest processing have proven effective at destroying the bacteria without harming the texture or flavor of the oysters.

10 Nov 2009

UCSD findings may help scientists to design better drugs to kill pathogenic strains

Over the last 20 years, the sequencing of the human genome, along with related organisms, has represented one of the largest scientific endeavors in the history of mankind. The information collected from genome sequencing will provide the raw data for the field of bioinformatics, where computer science and biology meet.

10 Nov 2009

Researcers identify a new array of genes in GAS

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogenic bacteria. Many people carry GAS asymptomatically in their upper respiratory tract and other anatomic sites. However, these bacteria can cause a variety of human diseases ranging from superficial skin and throat infections to highly invasive life-threatening diseases such as toxic shock and necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as the flesh-eating bacteria.

10 Nov 2009

New imagining technique may yield better antiviral and anti-cancer drugs

A recently devised method of imaging the chemical communication and warfare between microorganisms could lead to new antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral and anti-cancer drugs, said a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.

10 Nov 2009

Bacteria News and Research

FDA to change its policy regarding the post-harvest processing of raw Gulf Coast oysters

Students from the University of Edinburgh create custom-made bacteria to detect buried explosives

Recent developments at Burnham Institute for Medical Research

PPD, Janssen Pharmaceutica to develop therapeutic compounds for IBS and bacterial infections

FDA issues a Complete Response Letter for Human Genome Sciences' raxibacumab BLA

Indefinite expansion of adult cells without recourse to stem cell intermediates possible

Hope for vaccine against Chlamydia

FDA provides marketing clearance for the Platelet PGD Test System

Some combination drug therapies are counter-productive

Vanderbilt University researchers study role of statins in reducing flu-related deaths

Exposure to deadly bacteria can result in stillbirths

Novel breakthrough may lead to new methods for sterilizing food and medical equipment

Today's opinions and editorials

New microplate for BioFlux live cell imaging workstations

Hand washing: Best method for killing germs and protecting oneself from flu

UIC receives federal grant to develop new antibiotics against anthrax, tularemia and plague

CSPI urges Congress to support FDA's efforts in protecting consumers from contaminated oysters

UCSD findings may help scientists to design better drugs to kill pathogenic strains

Researcers identify a new array of genes in GAS

New imagining technique may yield better antiviral and anti-cancer drugs

Microbiology eBook

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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