Pathogen News and Research

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M. pneumoniae CARDS toxin plays a critical role in asthma

Five years ago, microbiologists at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio discovered the toxin produced by a common respiratory bacterial pathogen, Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Joel Baseman, Ph.D., who led the discovery, said at the time that the toxin's presence in humans could be causing as many as 40 percent of all asthma cases.

15 Dec 2011

Scientists discover how intestinal tract influences B cells to prevent infection

Researchers at the University of Toronto have found an explanation for how the intestinal tract influences a key component of the immune system to prevent infection, offering a potential clue to the cause of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

13 Dec 2011

Study describes new method that synthesizes novel anti-HIV protein

The most abundant and important molecules in all living organisms are proteins; after all they manage to participate in every single one of life's essential reactions. So it is easy to see why scientists have been making such a fuss trying to learn how to synthesise them in laboratory as this would provide them with a tool of extraordinary potential. Unfortunately, this has not proved easy.

13 Dec 2011

Genetically identical Salmonella appear in 2 types, each with an infective advantage

An unusual regulatory mechanism that controls the swimmer/non-swimmer option in genetically identical Salmonella also impacts the bacteria's ability to cause infection.

9 Dec 2011

H. pylori bacterium produces urease to neutralize gastric acid

A research team led by scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is releasing study results this week showing how a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, that causes more than half of peptic ulcers worldwide and that has been implicated in stomach cancer has managed for eons to turn the acidic environment of the human gut into one in which it can thrive.

8 Dec 2011

ISARIC aims to prepare clinical research community for next influenza pandemic

An international consortium aimed at ensuring that the clinical research community is better prepared for the next influenza pandemic or other rapidly emerging public health threat is launched today by leading funders of medical research from across the globe.

8 Dec 2011

Study reveals previously unseen details of SBP8a anthrax bacteriophage

A new study has shown previously unseen details of an anthrax bacteriophage - a virus that infects anthrax bacteria - revealing for the first time how it infects its host, and providing an initial blueprint for how the phage might someday be modified into a tool for the detection and destruction of anthrax and other potential bioterror agents.

6 Dec 2011

Overview of epidemiological situation with regard to MRSA in Germany

In German hospitals, each year 132 000 patients contract infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). For more than a decade, different countries have reported an increasing incidence of MRSA infections in the general population.

30 Nov 2011

Counterparts of memory cells ward off microbial foes

The immune system possesses a type of cell that can be activated by tissues within the body to remind the immune system not to attack our own molecules, cells and organs, UCSF researchers have discovered.

29 Nov 2011

New compound circumvents drug-efflux pumps associated with Gram-positive bacteria

It's no wonder that medicine's effort to combat bacterial infections is often described as an arms race. When new drugs are developed to combat infections, the bacterial target invariably comes up with a deterrent.

29 Nov 2011

Novel proteomics based method detects inhibition of intracellular deubiquitylating enzymes

Researchers at the University of Oxford and Progenra, Inc. are pleased to announce the publication of a research article entitled "Activity-Based Chemical Proteomics Accelerates Inhibitor Development for Deubiquitylating Enzymes" that details a novel proteomics based method to detect inhibition of intracellular deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs).

28 Nov 2011

Novel genetic sequencing methods identify various bacteria on public restrooms

Everyone wonders what bugs might be lurking in public bathrooms. Now researchers are using novel genetic sequencing methods to answer this question, revealing a plethora of bacteria all around, from the doors and the floors to the faucet handles and toilet seats, with potential public health implications, as reported Nov. 23 in the online journal PLoS ONE.

24 Nov 2011

Accelr8 expands development plan for BACcel rapid diagnostic test

Accelr8 Technology Corporation announced that it successfully completed two technical feasibility studies for test methods that expand its BACcel rapid diagnostic test library and automation capabilities.

23 Nov 2011

Novel antibacterial protein could prevent or treat E. coli O157:H7-induced food-borne infections

A novel antibacterial protein targeted against E. coli O157:H7 may offer a way to prevent or treat serious food-borne bacterial infections, as demonstrated in a study published in the December issue of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

21 Nov 2011

Princeton acquires Tru-D SmartUVC Room Decontamination System to improve patient care

In early September, Princeton Community Hospital added the Tru-D SmartUVC™ Room Decontamination System to its arsenal of new technology that helps disinfect environmental surfaces in patient rooms and in operating room suites.

21 Nov 2011

Avidocin protein could prevent or treat E. coli O157:H7-induced diarrhea

21 Nov 2011

UVA develops new and faster method to track superbugs

University of Virginia Health System researchers are the first in the world to develop a new and faster method to track major infection-causing "superbugs" - a major key in preventing the spread of deadly infections.

19 Nov 2011

First study to describe transporter system that bacteria use to ensure their survival

Bacteria responsible for middle ear infections, pink eye and sinusitis protect themselves from further immune attack by transporting molecules meant to destroy them away from their inner membrane target, according to a study from Nationwide Children's Hospital.

18 Nov 2011

InDevR introduces ampliPHOX system for microbiological analysis

InDevR, a Boulder-based biotechnology company that develops advanced life science instrumentation and assays for analysis of viruses and other microorganisms, announced today the launch revolutionary new technology for microbiological analysis.

18 Nov 2011

Biothera completes enrollment in Imprime PGG Phase II combination study on NSCLC

EBiothera's Phase II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) clinical trial evaluating Imprime PGG administered in combination with cetuximab (Erbitux), carboplatin and paclitaxel has met its goal of 90 patients and is fully enrolled, the company announced today.

17 Nov 2011

Pathogen News and Research

M. pneumoniae CARDS toxin plays a critical role in asthma

Scientists discover how intestinal tract influences B cells to prevent infection

Study describes new method that synthesizes novel anti-HIV protein

Genetically identical Salmonella appear in 2 types, each with an infective advantage

H. pylori bacterium produces urease to neutralize gastric acid

ISARIC aims to prepare clinical research community for next influenza pandemic

Study reveals previously unseen details of SBP8a anthrax bacteriophage

Overview of epidemiological situation with regard to MRSA in Germany

Counterparts of memory cells ward off microbial foes

New compound circumvents drug-efflux pumps associated with Gram-positive bacteria

Novel proteomics based method detects inhibition of intracellular deubiquitylating enzymes

Novel genetic sequencing methods identify various bacteria on public restrooms

Accelr8 expands development plan for BACcel rapid diagnostic test

Novel antibacterial protein could prevent or treat E. coli O157:H7-induced food-borne infections

Princeton acquires Tru-D SmartUVC Room Decontamination System to improve patient care

Avidocin protein could prevent or treat E. coli O157:H7-induced diarrhea

UVA develops new and faster method to track superbugs

First study to describe transporter system that bacteria use to ensure their survival

InDevR introduces ampliPHOX system for microbiological analysis

Biothera completes enrollment in Imprime PGG Phase II combination study on NSCLC

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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