Young Innovators & Early Career Research
Early career research is crucial for science, and in delivering applied microbiology to the world. This page is focused on showcasing innovations and research from early career researchers across the globe and provides a hub for the latest news, opinions, careers advice and research for early career scientists. Discover how interdisciplinary colleagues from around the world are making advancements in, and through, applied microbiology.
News
With AI, researchers find increasing immune evasion in H5N1
A new analysis suggests that the H5N1 avian influenza virus is evolving clever strategies. Using artificial intelligence tools, researchers analyzed thousands of viral proteins and found that their bonds to protective antibodies have weakened over time.
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NewsPandora’s microbes – The battle for iron in the lungs
Newly discovered natural compounds from the little studied Pandoraea bacterium influence the lung microbiome by competing for iron.
NewsTracking microbial rhythms reveals new target for treating metabolic diseases
Researchers harness the benefits of time-restricted feeding on the gut microbiome — with the ultimate goal of developing new therapies for obesity, diabetes and related diseases.
NewsSupercharged HIV vaccine could offer strong protection with just one dose
Researchers have shown that they can generate a strong immune response to HIV with just one vaccine dose, by adding two powerful adjuvants — materials that help stimulate the immune system.
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News
Gut microbiome composition and food insecurity linked to risk of cognitive impairment in adults
A new study has found a compelling link between the composition of the gut microbiome and the risk of cognitive impairment (RCI) in adults, underscoring the complex role that both biology and social determinants—such as food insecurity—play in brain health.
NewsCoveted lac pigment may have a fungal origin
The colourful pigment extracted from the lac insect may actually be produced by a symbiotic yeast-like organism living inside the insect, a new study has found. The yeast-like organism exclusively harbours genes coding for key ingredients in the pigment synthesis pathway.
NewsNew research reveals how octopus uses arms to sense chemical clues from microbes
A new study reveals what the octopus is feeling when it ‘tastes’ the seafloor— biochemical information from the microbial world. The animal uses its arms to determine whether prey is safe to eat or whether unhealthy eggs should be ejected from the nest.
NewsNew vaccine works against multiple fungal infections
A vaccine developed by University of Georgia researchers successfully protects against and treats vaginal yeast infections in mice, according to a study.
NewsResearchers establish link between form and function of gut bacterium
New insights into the functional differences between the various morphotypes of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron could open up new possibilities for medicine. A better understanding of their diversity could lay the foundation for novel microbiome-based therapies.
NewsMushrooms could be the key to developing better materials
Researchers are studying the cell structure of fungi to learn how it determines their mechanical properties and what science can learn from that to create better materials. They analyzed their cell structures and tested them to calculate the stress loads they could handle.
NewsInternational comparison reveals gender differences in antimicrobial resistance
A recent study analysed the DNA map of more than 14,000 gut metagenomes in a global dataset and found differences in antibiotic resistance between genders. In high-income countries, women had more antibiotic resistance genes than men.
NewsMachine learning method helps bring diagnostic testing out of the lab
A new point-of-care biosensing method, dubbed LOCA-PRAM, improves the accessibility of biomarker detection by eliminating the need for technical experts to perform the image analysis.
NewsGut microbes may help in recognizing and treating pancreatic cancer
A new international cooperation study indicates that in the future pancreatic cancer may be detected at an early stage with the help of gut microbes. Gut microbes may also offer solutions for therapy development.
NewsStudy highlights role of jaundice-associated pigment in protecting against malaria
New research suggests that a pigment that causes yellowing of the skin, or jaundice, may help protect people from the most severe consequences of malaria.
NewsEvolutionary model for antibiotic resistance reveals dose timing critical to care
The study that uses a “fitness seascape” to incorporate a patient’s dosage schedule into models that predict whether an infection will develop antibiotic resistance has found that inconsistent timing and missing early doses can lead to treatment failure.
NewsMicrobiome stability shapes how corals withstand extreme heat
A new study reveals why some corals resist bleaching while others don’t: the answer lies in a complex partnership between corals and their microbial allies, shaped by the history of the waters they inhabit.
NewsScientists develop a treatment platform to disable the ‘biofilm’ shield of superbugs
Researchers have developed a platform that utilizes microbubbles to deliver gene-targeted nanoparticles capable of breaking down MRSA biofilms, offering an innovative solution for treating infections resistant to conventional antibiotics.
NewsIs your gut microbiome a calorie ‘super harvester’?
A little-known microbe makes methane in your gut — and may help you get more calories from food, according to a new study. Researchers found that people whose gut microbiomes produce a lot of methane are especially good at unlocking extra energy from a high-fiber diet.
NewsSARS-CoV-2 protein found to spread between cells, triggering immune attack on healthy cells
A new study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein can spread from infected to uninfected cells, triggering an immune response that mistakenly targets healthy cells.
NewsNature’s toolkit: Scientists breed mushrooms to build versatile natural substitutes for commonly used materials
Scientists have shown that natural genetic variations in a common species of mushroom can be used to create new strains capable of making customized, biodegradable replacements for fabric, plastic, packaging and other environmentally harmful materials.
NewsEndangered mountain caribou possess unique gut microbiome that may be important for recovery efforts
Endangered mountain caribou in British Columbia possess a unique gut microbiome in late winter when they feed on tree lichens, a finding that could guide caribou recovery efforts, according to a new study.
NewsScientists discover 230 new giant viruses that shape ocean life and health
Using high-performance computing methods, researchers have identified 230 novel giant viruses in publicly available marine metagenomic datasets and characterized their functions.
NewsResearch identifies new trigger accelerating antibiotic resistance
A new study shows that ciprofloxacin, a staple treatment for urinary tract infections, throws Escherichia coli (E. coli) into an energy crisis that saves many cells from death and speeds the evolution of full‑blown resistance.