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Researchers develop new approach to immunotherapy of cancer

Harnessing the immune system is emerging as one of the most promising new ways to fight cancer. Most cancer cells are eliminated by the immune system; however, over a lifetime, a few may escape this immune surveillance and lead to tumors and metastases. Hence a formidable opportunity has been to find ways to make the immune system recognize the tumor as a foreign body and trigger a response.

13 May 2010

Microbiologists identify potential target in cattle to prevent E. coli strain

Microbiologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center, working with the Department of Agriculture, have identified a potential target in cattle that could be exploited to help prevent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses caused by a nasty strain of Escherichia coli.

13 May 2010

Potential new drug therapies for treatment of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) has been present in humans since ancient times. The origins of the disease date back to the first domestication of cattle, and skeletal remains show prehistoric humans (4,000 B.C.) had TB. Although relatively rare in the United States, it is the single leading bacterial cause of death worldwide. Approximately 8 million people are infected each year and 2 million people die from TB.

11 May 2010

Encouraging B. anthracis to unwittingly unmask itself will help eradicate the pathogen

Anthrax-causing bacteria can be engineered to shed their invisibility cloaks, making it easier for the immune system to eradicate it, according to a new study published in Microbiology. The work could lead to new measures to treat anthrax infection in the event of a biological warfare attack.

7 May 2010

Iowa State University researcher works on faster method to detect salmonella from contaminated foods

Using technology available through a local company, an Iowa State University researcher is working on a faster method to detect and genetically identify salmonella from contaminated foods.

5 May 2010

QIAGEN reports 20% revenue growth in first quarter 2010

QIAGEN N.V. today announced the results of operations for its quarter ended March 31, 2010. Net sales were at the high end of, and adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter 2010 exceeded the guidance provided by the Company on February 9, 2010.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 4 May 2010

Researcher finds evidence of how human behavior can influence emergence of infectious disease

After studying the interactions of human and animal populations in Africa, Kathleen Alexander, associate professor of wildlife science in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources, found powerful evidence of how human behavior can influence the emergence of infectious disease in humans and animals.

3 May 2010

Study could provide new strategies to prevent hospital-acquired infections

A bacterial pathogen can communicate with yeast to block the development of drug-resistant yeast infections, say Irish scientists writing in the May issue of Microbiology. The research could be a step towards new strategies to prevent hospital-acquired infections associated with medical implants.

3 May 2010

Researchers identify key protein that regulates innate immune system

A team of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine has identified a protein called NLRC5, a member of the NOD-like protein family, that is involved in inhibition of protein complexes key to critical pathways of innate immunity called NF-κB and type I interferon signaling. A report on their work appears in the current issue of the journal Cell.

30 Apr 2010

miacom diagnostics announces new tests for faster diagnosis of sepsis

"Conventional PCR tests (PCR is short for polymerase chain reaction, a highly sensitive method of detecting nucleic acids) require several hours to produce a result. lucesco Bacteremia IVD panels are not only much faster with a result after only 30 minutes, they are also much more cost-efficient.

29 Apr 2010

Stalk structure of Mx protein restrains components of influenza virus in infected cells

When the human body becomes infected with new influenza viruses, the immune system rapidly activates an inborn protective mechanism to inhibit the intruding pathogen. A protein known as Mx plays an important role in this process, keeping the spread of viruses in check. Exactly how Mx accomplishes this task was previously unknown.

28 Apr 2010

Life Technologies first-quarter non-GAAP 2010 revenue increases 13% to $887 million

Life Technologies Corporation today announced results for its first quarter ending March 31, 2010. Non-GAAP revenue for the first quarter was $887 million, an increase of 13 percent over the $785 million reported for the first quarter of 2009. Excluding the impact of currency and completed acquisitions and divestitures, organic revenue for the quarter grew 10 percent over the same period in the previous year.

28 Apr 2010

People infected with gastrointestinal worms respond better to injected vaccines

According to the World Health Organization, two billion people around the globe suffer from chronic parasitic worm infections, which, in addition to causing illness and developmental delay, are also suspected to interfere with the effectiveness of ordinary vaccines, making their victims more vulnerable to life-threatening diseases. A recent discovery by researchers at the Trudeau Institute promises to bypass these obstacles and help deliver more effective vaccines to these people, boosting their protection against common childhood diseases.

27 Apr 2010

AES CHEMUNEX to distribute SDIX's RapidChek food pathogen detection systems in Europe

Strategic Diagnostics Inc., now doing business as SDIX, a leading provider of biotechnology-based products and services for a broad range of life science, biotechnology, diagnostic, and food safety applications, today announced it has signed a distribution agreement with AES CHEMUNEX.

27 Apr 2010

Caltech biologists offer new insight into causes of IBD and colon cancer

We are not alone-even in our own bodies. The human gut is home to 100 trillion bacteria, which, for millions of years, have co-evolved along with our digestive and immune systems. Most people view bacteria as harmful pathogens that cause infections and disease. Other, more agreeable, microbes (known as symbionts) have taken a different evolutionary path, and have established beneficial relationships with their hosts.

26 Apr 2010

Promising research on cryptosporidiosis could lead to effective treatment: Brandeis University biochemist

Discovered in 1976, cryptosporidium lurks worldwide in water, contaminating swimming pools, water parks, and drinking water supplies. Although it has even been featured on the comedy show The Colbert Report, it is no laughing matter-this microscopic pathogen is a leading cause of diarrhea and malnutrition and the most common source of infection in immune-weakened people such as AIDS patients.

26 Apr 2010

Test shows efficacy of avian antibodies against H5N1 and H1N1 influenza in mice

Scientists have discovered for the first time that antibodies in common eggs laid by hens vaccinated against the H5N1 virus can potentially prevent a possible H5N1 pandemic, raising the possibility that the same principle could be applied to the current H1N1 influenza pandemic.

21 Apr 2010

New study quantifies prevalence of MRSA infections in different patient populations

A multi-center study led by a researcher at Rhode Island Hospital has determined that long-term elder care, HIV-infected and hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in their nose.

21 Apr 2010

Biomagnetics Diagnostics obtains handheld IOBS unit to detect pathogens

Biomagnetics Diagnostics Corp., a developer of revolutionary diagnostic systems and technology for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis and malaria detection, today announced it has received its first handheld integrated optical biosensor unit from Los Alamos National Security, LLC.

21 Apr 2010

Prevalence of scalp fungus infection among children living in metropolitan areas

Approximately 7 percent of elementary school children across the bi-state, Kansas City metropolitan area are infected with the fungus Trichophyton tonsurans (T. tonsurans), the leading cause of ringworm in the U.S., according to a new study published today in Pediatrics. This is the largest study to date aimed at defining infection prevalence of the scalp fungus in children living in a metropolitan area and has implications for children nationwide.

20 Apr 2010

Pathogen News and Research

Researchers develop new approach to immunotherapy of cancer

Microbiologists identify potential target in cattle to prevent E. coli strain

Potential new drug therapies for treatment of tuberculosis

Encouraging B. anthracis to unwittingly unmask itself will help eradicate the pathogen

Iowa State University researcher works on faster method to detect salmonella from contaminated foods

QIAGEN reports 20% revenue growth in first quarter 2010

Researcher finds evidence of how human behavior can influence emergence of infectious disease

Study could provide new strategies to prevent hospital-acquired infections

Researchers identify key protein that regulates innate immune system

miacom diagnostics announces new tests for faster diagnosis of sepsis

Stalk structure of Mx protein restrains components of influenza virus in infected cells

Life Technologies first-quarter non-GAAP 2010 revenue increases 13% to $887 million

People infected with gastrointestinal worms respond better to injected vaccines

AES CHEMUNEX to distribute SDIX's RapidChek food pathogen detection systems in Europe

Caltech biologists offer new insight into causes of IBD and colon cancer

Promising research on cryptosporidiosis could lead to effective treatment: Brandeis University biochemist

Test shows efficacy of avian antibodies against H5N1 and H1N1 influenza in mice

New study quantifies prevalence of MRSA infections in different patient populations

Biomagnetics Diagnostics obtains handheld IOBS unit to detect pathogens

Prevalence of scalp fungus infection among children living in metropolitan areas

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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