All Microbial Genetics articles
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NewsResearchers design genetic tools to develop vaccines more efficiently for African swine fever virus (ASFV)
A synthetic genomic-based reverse genetics tool has been developed for African swine fever virus (ASFV) that helps vaccine development to reduce the economic losses. The system may also be adapted to other emerging viral threats.
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NewsCanada is slowest in reporting bird flu – but COVID shows we can do better
A global study was conducted to measure the reporting speed of pandemic-causing bird flu H5N1 in different countries, among which Canada surprisingly came in last, addressing the need for improvements in the current monitoring procedures.
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NewsEvaluating DNA impurities in recombinant adeno-associated virus
A new study indicates that DNA impurities derived from plasmid and host cell DNA are encapsulated into recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) capsids as single-stranded DNA.
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NewsGreen recipe: Engineered yeast boosts D-lactic acid production
An optimal combination of genetic “recipe” in a yeast strain achieves high yields of D-lactic acid production from methanol, advancing eco-friendly and sustainable biomanufacturing.
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NewsUpdated guidelines for pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
In light of the rise in antibiotic resistance, new guidelines are released with detailed recommendations of diagnosis and treatment strategies for pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP), along with the means to manage severe complications.
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NewsHidden threat: The evolving fungus that spreads through cats and humans
Researchers have developed a better understanding about the molecular basis of the Sporothrix species in virulence and evolution, amid the largest sporotrichosis epidemic in Brazil. The identification of the genetic markers helps to enhance fungal surveillance and strengthen disease control.
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NewsResearchers discover Achilles heel of Lyme disease pathogen
Researchers discovered and investigated an unique enzyme used in the pathway specific to Borrelia burgdorferi, the parasite that causes Lyme disease. The enzyme serves as the ideal genus-specific target for therapeutic intervention.
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NewsRice research team creates universal RNA barcoding system for tracking gene transfer in bacteria
An interdisciplinary group of researchers at Rice University has developed an innovative RNA “barcoding” method to track gene transfer in microbial communities, providing new insights into how genes move across species.
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NewsNew ‘shy’ fungus found in old-growth forest
Although fungi of the genus Piloderma are common, scientists have now discovered five previously unknown species. One of these is one of the most widely distributed species in Northern Europe, while another is found only in old-growth forests.
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NewsTunnel-building virus: How Zika transmits from mother to fetus
For the first time, researchers demonstrated the component involved in the tunneling nanotubes built by Zika virus to infect placental cells, an infection mechanism which is unique to the Zika virus alone.
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NewsWithout oxygen: How primordial microbes breathed
Scientists decode the fundamental mechanisms of a cell respiratory enzyme in ancient bacterial cells, with potential applications in removing greenhouse gases and drug development against pathogens.
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NewsGenetic resistance factors and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates of animals and humans
A new study identified three functional protein families in MRSA, through sequencing, that confer extensive antibiotic resistance independent of the known antibiotic resistance determinants, mecA and mecC.
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NewsNew CRISPRs expand upon the original’s abilities
By scouring through a massive bacterial metagenomic databases, researchers have discovered new CRISPR-Cas systems as efficient as the conventional one. One of the candidate system has found with the technological potential to expand its impact in research, biotechnology and medicine.
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NewsResearchers develop method to identify dormant cells that carry HIV
A new method is developed that utilizes a fluorescent genetic switch to tag and trace the lineages of the HIV-infected cells, including the dormant ones. This system might help to develop target therapies for the infected immune cells.
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NewsStudy discovers tuberculosis genes necessary for airborne transmission
Tuberculosis bacteria rely on a family of genes that help them survive the challenging journey from one person’s lungs to another person’s during coughing, sneezing or talking, according to a study that offers new targets for tuberculosis therapies.
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NewsPrevalence of neutralizing antibodies to AAV2 and AAV9 in individuals with Niemann-Pick disease
A new study shows that more than half of individuals with Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1) who were tested lacked neutralizing antibodies against either adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2 or AAV9.
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NewsDermatophytes adaptation to the human host exemplified by Microsporum canis
Through comparative genomic analyses, researchers investigated the evolutionary mechanisms that underpin gene expansions to enable dermatophytes, such as Microsporum canis to transition from animal to human hosts.
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NewsTranscription factor PoMbp1 promotes the growth of Pleurotus ostreatus by regulating polysaccharide utilisation
A study investigating the growth and development of Pleurotus ostreatus has found that PoMbp1 contains an APSES domain and localizes to the nucleus, indicating it belongs to the fungal-specific APSES transcription factors family.
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NewssiRNA-AGO2 complex inhibits bacterial gene translation: a novel therapeutic strategy for superbug infection
Scientists have demonstrated that exosomes can serve as delivery vehicles to introduce AGO2-loaded siRNA into the cytoplasm of bacteria, and in turn down-regulated gene expression of the mRNA that shares sequence complementarity to the siRNA.
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NewsBacterial ‘jumping genes’ can target and control chromosome ends
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that transposons, or “jumping genes” use to survive and propagate in bacteria with linear DNA, with applications in biotechnology and drug development.