Pathogen News and Research

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Emergence and spread of a deadly fungus among African amphibians

For the past few years, how a virus triggered a global pandemic has dominated conversations. Now, thanks to the TV show "The Last of Us" (about an apocalypse triggered by brain-eating 'shrooms), fungi have infected popular culture.

16 Mar 2023

Study evaluates the risk posed by the fungus Bd to amphibians across the continent of Africa

Mass fungus infections that drive populations worldwide to near-collapse don't just occur in science fiction. Chytridiomycosis, the worst vertebrate disease in recorded history, has already wiped out hundreds of species of amphibians around the world. Due to a large part to this fungal disease, 41% of amphibians are currently threatened with extinction. Only species living in Africa seemed to have been relatively spared from the scourge of chytridiomycosis – at least so far.

15 Mar 2023

Rice biologists embark on a three-year project to create genetically encoded antibiotics

Synthetic biologists at Rice University are embarking on a three-year project to create "genetically encoded antibiotics," strands of RNA that bacteria will readily copy and share that will selectively kill only disease-causing, pathogenic bacteria.

14 Mar 2023

Effective backup mechanism ensures efficient antimicrobial responses in humans

In the human body, virus particles are identified by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) either within or on the cell surface. When a receptor is activated, a signaling cascade is initiated, which results in the production and release of signaling molecules like interferons and cytokines.

14 Mar 2023

Developing new therapies that leverage the host immune system

Yersinia bacteria cause a variety of human and animal diseases, the most notorious being the plague, caused by Yersinia pestis. A relative, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, causes gastrointestinal illness and is less deadly but naturally infects both mice and humans, making it a useful model for studying its interactions with the immune system.

14 Mar 2023

Bacteriophages might hold the key to fighting antibiotic resistance

As conventional antibiotics continue to lose effectiveness against evolving pathogens, scientists are keen to employ the bacteria-killing techniques perfected by bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria.

14 Mar 2023

Small group of airway neurons plays a key role in alerting the brain about infection

A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School illuminates how the brain becomes aware that there is an infection in the body.

9 Mar 2023

BGI’s fluorescent RT-PCR kit obtains market access qualification for detecting SARS-CoV-2, IFV A, IFV B in Australia

On March 2, BGI's Multiplex Real-time Fluorescent RT-PCR Kit for Detecting SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A Virus and Influenza B Virus obtained market access qualification to enter the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

8 Mar 2023

Effective and faster methodology detects RNA viruses based on the triplex-forming probe technology

Experts from the University of Barcelona, the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) and the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute of Aragon (INMA) -;a joint institute of the CSIC and the University of Zaragoza-; have developed a new method to detect RNA viruses based on the triplex-forming probe technology.

28 Feb 2023

Genetic study emphasizes the significance of “balancing selection” in evolution

Nature can maintain various genetic features in balance as a species grows over millions of years, much like a merchant of old would do when balancing the weights of two distinct products on a scale.

23 Feb 2023

Identifying antimicrobials that effectively treat AMR infections

In a potential game changer for the treatment of superbugs, a new class of antibiotics was developed that cured mice infected with bacteria deemed nearly "untreatable" in humans -; and resistance to the drug was virtually undetectable.

19 Feb 2023

Significant discovery might halt the highly destructive wheat blast

An international research collaboration led by the John Innes Centre has used innovative genomic discovery methods to show how we might halt the emerging and highly destructive disease, wheat blast.

19 Feb 2023

LLNL set off to develop vaccines to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus

People afflicted with autoimmune diseases may someday receive help through treatments now under development by a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) licensee and its' collaborations with two major pharmaceutical companies.

19 Feb 2023

Researchers reveal link immune system genetics and a person's ability to resist new COVID-19 variants

An international team including researchers from the HSE University Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology has found a link between certain genetic features of the immune system and one's ability to effectively resist new waves of COVID-19.

17 Feb 2023

AutoPLP helps detect mutating pathogenic variants quickly and accurately

As we now know from our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, the microbes responsible for some infections can rapidly mutate into variants that evade detection and treatment.

16 Feb 2023

PFAS chemical helps suppress the neutrophil respiratory burst, study finds

In a new study, researchers found that the PFAS chemical GenX suppresses the neutrophil respiratory burst – the method white blood cells known as neutrophils use to kill invading pathogens.

16 Feb 2023

Researchers discover target enzyme for blast disease

A fungus that plagues rice crops worldwide gains entry to plant cells in a way that leaves it vulnerable to simple chemical blockers, a discovery that could lead to new fungicides to reduce the substantial annual losses of rice and other valuable cereals.

14 Feb 2023

Pathogen News and Research

Emergence and spread of a deadly fungus among African amphibians

Study evaluates the risk posed by the fungus Bd to amphibians across the continent of Africa

Rice biologists embark on a three-year project to create genetically encoded antibiotics

Effective backup mechanism ensures efficient antimicrobial responses in humans

Developing new therapies that leverage the host immune system

Bacteriophages might hold the key to fighting antibiotic resistance

Small group of airway neurons plays a key role in alerting the brain about infection

BGI’s fluorescent RT-PCR kit obtains market access qualification for detecting SARS-CoV-2, IFV A, IFV B in Australia

Effective and faster methodology detects RNA viruses based on the triplex-forming probe technology

Genetic study emphasizes the significance of “balancing selection” in evolution

Identifying antimicrobials that effectively treat AMR infections

Significant discovery might halt the highly destructive wheat blast

LLNL set off to develop vaccines to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus

Researchers reveal link immune system genetics and a person's ability to resist new COVID-19 variants

AutoPLP helps detect mutating pathogenic variants quickly and accurately

PFAS chemical helps suppress the neutrophil respiratory burst, study finds

Researchers discover target enzyme for blast disease

Review highlights the pathological significance of CEACAM1, 5, and 6

Licorice leaf extract: A potential plant protectant for traditional and organic farming

Germs develop a sneaky way to escape the ant colony’s defense systems, study reveals

Driving Support for Pharmaceutical Testing Through Continuous Innovation

From Memory to Metaplasticity: Unraveling the Brain's Secrets

Revolutionizing Mass Spectrometry: A Deep Dive into Plasmion’s SICRIT® Technology

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