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
Oral microbes linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer
Twenty-seven species of bacteria and fungi among the hundreds that live in people’s mouths have been collectively tied to a 3.5 times greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer, a study shows.
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NewsPlant-derived compound has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects against periodontal disease
Morin-based powder, extracted from guava leaves, apple peel, and figs, can be slowly released with the help of polymers and serve as an alternative to antibiotics.
NewsStudy recommends integrated risk assessment for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases
A summary of published studies on the risk of emerging diseases shows that only 7.4% simultaneously consider hazard, exposure, and vulnerability to infection.
NewsStudy finds ticks carrying Lyme disease moving into western NC
A new surveillance study reveals that the primary vector of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, the blacklegged tick, has been spreading into areas previously considered low risk.
More Early Career Research
News
In the wild, chimpanzees likely ingest the equivalent of several alcoholic drinks every day
The first-ever measurements of the ethanol content of fruits available to chimpanzees in their native African habitat show that the animals could easily consume the equivalent of more than two standard alcoholic drinks each day.
NewsHerbs hit the sweet spot to extend shelf life of popular global drink
A team of food scientists has discovered a natural way to significantly extend the shelf life of sugarcane juice. By adding microwave-dried extracts of mint and coriander to the juice in the production process, its shelf life can be extended from three days up to 14 days.
CareersFinding my way to Parasitology
Read about Sadiya’s journey from Uppsala to Uganda, and into One Health research in Parasitology.
NewsCheese fungi color changes help unlock secrets of evolution
Color changes in fungi on cheese rinds point to specific molecular mechanisms of genetic adaptation—and sometimes a tastier cheese.
NewsResearch identifies immune response that controls Oropouche infection and prevents neurological damage
Research conducted on mice has identified that the rapid response of a specific type of defense cell is essential for controlling Oropouche virus infections and preventing serious neurological damage.
NewsEurope’s only conference for minoritised life scientists heads to Edinburgh in 2026
Europe’s only conference for minoritised life scientists is heading to Scotland for spring 2026. The Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF) will be held at Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) from March 23 to 26.
NewsMicrobial allies: Bacteria help fight against cancer
An international team of scientists have discovered that microbes associated with tumours produce a molecule that can control cancer progression and boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
NewsMethod probing dark matter uncovers hundreds of new bacteria, and two potential antibiotics
A new approach to exploring untapped soil resources circumvents the need to grow bacteria in the lab by extracting very large DNA fragments directly from soil to piece together the genomes of previously hidden microbes, and then mines resulting genomes for bioactive molecules.
NewsScientists probe tool used by harmful bacteria to hijack crops
Researchers have identified a tool that helps the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae turn a plant’s fundamental biology against itself. The findings could eventually lead to new approaches to protecting crops.
NewsExtreme diatoms inside the Arctic ice glide into the record books
Diatoms found in polar ice are active until temperatures drop to -15 C - the lowest ever recorded for movement by a eukaryotic cell.
NewsWarming climate drives disease surge, study shows
Projections suggest future warming could raise dengue incidence by 49%–76%, depending on emissions scenarios, if other factors remain constant. Cooler areas are expected to see the biggest increases, while hotter locations may experience slight declines.
NewsMushroom chemical teams with phages to deliver a one-two punch to MRSA
A chemical found in mushrooms can be teamed with bacteriophages to deliver a one-two punch to antibiotic-resistant infections, reveals a study presented at MLS Future Forum 2025.
NewsCan the ‘good’ bacteria in your mouth act as probiotic cavity fighters?
Discovery of clumping molecules made by gene clusters in the oral microbiome may lead to ways to reengineer the microbes in plaque, a new study shows.
NewsStudy shows not all dietary proteins are digested the same way
As protein-rich diets become increasingly popular, a new study suggests that categorizing dietary proteins as either animal- or plant-based fails to effectively capture the source-specific differences in their composition, digestive efficiency and accessibility to the gut microbiota.
NewsIn extensive sequencing study, scientists find few links between cancer and microbiome
Scientists say a study that sequenced human cancers found far less microbial DNA sequences than earlier studies reported in the same cancer tissue samples.
NewsConnection among gut fungi, genetics and disease risk in humans identified
A novel genome-wide association study sheds light on the human genetic determinants of the fungal component of the human microbiome and their relation to chronic disease.
NewsPretreatment methods deploying microbes bring second-gen biofuels from oilcane closer to commercialization
In collaboration with other Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs), researchers at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) are developing industrially feasible techniques for second-generation biofuel production from oilcane, an oil-rich variety of sugarcane, to help meet our growing societal demand for fuels.
NewsStudy detects multidrug-resistant KPC-producing bacteria in Chilean wastewater for the first time
A team of Chilean researchers has identified, for the first time in the country, the presence of KPC-type carbapenemase-producing bacteria in wastewater samples from the Greater Concepción Metropolitan Area.
NewsNew study finds concerning sea star response to an algal neurotoxin
Researchers found potentially concerning concentrations of the neurotoxin domoic acid in sea stars even in the absence of the algal blooms that are thought to drive DA outbreaks.