Microorganism News and Research

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New device detects bacterial and fungal contamination

Microorganisms are everywhere and most of them are harmless, but they can do a lot of damage in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals or in tissue transplants. With the aid of a new device, germs can be detected in artificial cartilage within a few hours.

20 Mar 2010

Impact of plastics on human health and ecosystems

Plastics surround us. A vital manufacturing ingredient for nearly every existing industry, these materials appear in a high percentage of the products we use every day. Although modern life would be hard to imagine without this versatile chemistry, products composed of plastics also have a dark side, due in part to the very characteristics that make them so desirable-their durability and longevity.

20 Mar 2010

Genes allowing opium poppy to make codeine and morphine discovered

Researchers at the University of Calgary have discovered the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine, thus opening doors to alternate methods of producing these effective painkillers either by manufacturing them in a lab or controlling the production of these compounds in the plant.

18 Mar 2010

Eureka Genomics announces closing of $3.7M private financing round

Eureka Genomics today announced the closing of a $3.7 million private financing round whose participants included private individuals and undisclosed angel investors. The proceeds will further discovery research aimed at identifying novel microorganisms associated with specific cancers and other important diseases, as well as help grow Eureka Genomics’ high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics service business on a global basis.

11 Mar 2010

Nanoparticle growing in popularity as bactericidal agent shown to be toxic to fish: Study

A nanoparticle growing in popularity as a bactericidal agent has been shown to be toxic to fish, according to a Purdue University study.

4 Mar 2010

Chitosan put forward as effective alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in the diet of ruminants

The natural-occurring biopolymer known as chitosan is being put forward as an effective alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in the diet of ruminants, according to research carried out by scientists at the Basque technological centre, Neiker-Tecnalia.

1 Mar 2010

Rib-X Pharmaceuticals co-founder discovers new ribosomal structures of antibiotics

Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage antibiotics company with a broad product pipeline based on its innovative discovery platform, and Yale University today announced the discovery by Thomas Steitz, Ph.D., co-founder of Rib-X and Yale University professor, of important new ribosomal structures of antibiotics, enabling the potential creation of novel treatments for drug resistant infections, including resistant tuberculosis (TB).

19 Feb 2010

NRF and MOE fund support for SCELSE microbial biofilm research centre

The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced today the funding support for a Research Centre of Excellence (RCE) called the Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) to be set up at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

15 Feb 2010

Veterinary antibiotics in manure fertilizers: Buffer strips of grasses may help limit spread

Research by scientists at the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry suggests that buffer strips of grasses and other plants can trap and break down veterinary antibiotics in manure fertilizers.

15 Feb 2010

Study: New mechanism may allow bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics

Scientists have shown that cells' DNA-reading machinery can skim through certain kinds of damaged DNA without skipping any letters in the genetic "text." The studies, performed in bacteria, suggest a new mechanism that can allow bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics.

10 Feb 2010

New virology textbook treats viruses in the context of virus families

A new virology textbook published by ASM Press educates the reader by focusing on the families. Based on the author's experiences teaching virology for more than 35 years, Virology: Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis enables readers to develop a deep understanding of fundamental virology by emphasizing principles and discussing viruses in the context of virus families.

5 Feb 2010

One-third of dairy products exceed microbe contamination levels, says study

One-third of samples of milk and dairy products analysed in various restaurants exceed the microbe contamination limits set by the European Union, according to a study carried out by researchers from the University of Valencia (UV). The experts advise against keeping milk in jugs and suggest that these foodstuffs need to be better handled.

30 Jan 2010

Study shows nutrition has a direct influence on the immune system

Bonn researchers have discovered an elementary mechanism which regulates vital immune functions in healthy people. In situations of hunger which mean stress for the body's cells, the body releases more antimicrobial peptides in order to protect itself. The scientists will publish their results in the journal Nature.

21 Jan 2010

Microbiologists explain why apples are beneficial for health

Why does an apple a day keep the doctor away? New research published in the open access journal BMC Microbiology contributes to our understanding of why eating apples is good for you.

20 Jan 2010

ERA-NET PathoGenoMics announces third international joint call for infectious disease research

ERA-NET PathoGenoMics, an initiative of the European Commission aimed at advancing transnational genome-based research programs on human-pathogenic microorganisms, announced today the third international joint call. The third joint call allocated €8.5 Million over 3 years to relevant research projects which will be provided by ERA-NET PathoGenoMics partner organizations from Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

13 Jan 2010

HaloSource signs agreement with WAL for the use of HaloPure disinfection cartridges in WAL’s products

HaloSource, a leading clean water company, has signed an agreement with WAL (S.A.), the Swiss-based international water filtration products company, for the use of HaloSource’s revolutionary HaloPure® disinfection cartridges in WAL’s jug and pitcher products.

13 Jan 2010

Astro Pak announces the launch of new subsidiary, SixLog

Astro Pak Corporation, the U.S.'s largest precision cleaning and passivation company, today announced the launch of their new subsidiary, SixLog Corporation. SixLog provides on-site biological decontamination services utilizing proprietary iHP™ (ionized Hydrogen Peroxide) technology to a variety of industries including Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, First Responders, Transportation, and Public Facilities.

12 Jan 2010

Maryland seafood processor to stop fish distribution for non-compliance of food safety laws

The FDA today announced that a Maryland seafood processor delivering fresh, frozen, and ready-to-eat seafood in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., is to stop processing and distributing adulterated fish and seafood because it is not compliant with federal food safety laws.

9 Jan 2010

Annelie Wendeberg presents protocol for identification of environmental microbes

Metagenomics, the study of DNA isolated from samples of naturally occurring microbial populations, is rapidly growing. Improvements to cloning and sequencing techniques are allowing researchers to study microorganisms in environmental samples, and new knowledge of species interactions and community dynamics is emerging.

5 Jan 2010

Researchers unveil complete genetic make-up of cavity-causing bacterium

Researchers have uncovered the complete genetic make-up of the cavity-causing bacterium Bifidobacterium dentium Bd1, revealing the genetic adaptations that allow this microorganism to live and cause decay in the human oral cavity.

24 Dec 2009