Food security
Millions of people are undernourished globally and with the population growing, food security is a major concern. Food security is multifaceted, requiring advancements in food safety, ensuring products have a good shelf life, reducing spoilage and providing dietary additions to improve the nutrient intake of the population. The application of microbiology is far reaching, and new approaches are required to maintain food security. Through an improved understanding of plant-microbe interactions, it is possible to forecast and mitigate food shortages.
News
South American camelids: Potential carriers of the zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter
A comprehensive investigation has identified a previously underappreciated source of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in South American camelids (SACs)—alpacas and llamas kept in Germany. The findings underscore the importance of expanding epidemiological surveillance beyond traditional livestock.
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NewsHow does oligochitosan induce plant resistance against potato virus Y?
Plant immune inducers are crucial tools for the green management of crop diseases. As an environmentally friendly biological inducer, oligochitosan (COS) can activate plant defense mechanisms to resist pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
NewsCan rhizobacterial metabolites enhance plant drought tolerance?
A study shows that lettuce plants inoculated with PGPR strains exhibited significantly higher survival rates and better fresh weight recovery after drought stress compared to the uninoculated control group.
NewsTracking a persistent threat: How antibiotic-resistant bacteria travel from poultry farms to fresh produce
A new study develops an integrated quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model to trace the pathway of ESBL-producing E. coli from broiler farms to lettuce consumption, quantifying human health risks and identifying effective intervention strategies.
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News
How bacteria circumvent plants’ immune system
In order to defend themselves, plants have to quickly produce proteins that detect and combat infiltrating microbes. Researchers discovered that Pseudomonas syringae disrupts this process by triggering the formation of P-bodies – small, droplet-like structures in the cell that store and regulate RNA molecules.
CareersFrom microbial processes to biofilm control: our interview with LAM deputy editor Marciane Magnani
We catch up with food microbiologist Professor Marciane Magnani of the Federal University of Paraíba in Brazil who has just been appointed as a Deputy Editor of Letters in Applied Microbiology.
NewsDrip-irrigated halotolerant PGPB boost jujube yield and quality in saline soils by reshaping soil bacterial communities
A new study demonstrates that applying halotolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) via drip irrigation during the crop growth period can effectively alleviate soil salinity stress, enhance jujube productivity and fruit quality, and restructure rhizosphere bacterial communities in saline agricultural soils.
NewsHow scientists are breeding spinach to better withstand Pythium
Breeding efforts to improve spinach tolerance to a pathogen called Pythium will help both indoor and outdoor growers of the popular leafy green.
NewsMicrobes contribute a surprisingly large array of proteins in fermented foods
A study examining the proteins found in fermented foods like yogurt, cheese and bread found that a surprisingly large number, and percentage, of microbial proteins contribute to their overall protein content.
CareersFrom one bench to another: Representing early-career scientists at Parliament’s Voice of the Future
Tyler Myers, an MPhil Candidate at the University of Cambridge, reports back from the Royal Society of Biology’s Voice of the Future event at Parliament, where he served as a guest panelist representing Applied Microbiology International.
NewsNew lactic acid bacteria for plant-based yogurt alternatives
Researchers find that a particular type of lactic acid bacteria has considerable potential for producing plant-based yoghurt alternatives. The bacteria inhibit potentially harmful bacteria and break down sugars that can cause stomach discomfort.
NewsPlastic texturing kills viruses when they land
Researchers have developed a thin plastic film that tears apart viruses on contact, offering a promising new way to keep high touch surfaces such as smartphones and hospital equipment from spreading disease.
NewsGraphitized biochar rewires soil microbes to accelerate pollutant breakdown in rice paddies
A new study reveals that a specially engineered form of biochar can dramatically enhance the natural ability of soil microbes to break down pollutants in rice paddies, offering a promising strategy for cleaner and more sustainable agriculture.
NewsPoor hygiene and food handling practices increase the risk of bacterial outbreaks in Brazilian households
A significant number of Brazilians engage in improper food hygiene and handling practices at home. Examples include washing meat in the kitchen sink and failing to properly wash vegetables.
NewsAfrican swine fever is quietly spreading across Nepal’s pig sector
A new study provides the first comprehensive analysis of African swine fever outbreaks in Nepal, revealing a disease that has quietly dismantled livelihoods, disrupted food security, and exposed deep gaps in the country’s animal health system — with no vaccine in sight.
NewsMolecular biologist Li-Jun Ma wins 2026 Mahoney Life Sciences Prize
Li-Jun Ma has been chosen as this year’s winner of the Mahoney Life Sciences Prize for her work toward mitigating the effects of a fungal pathogen that is causing the functional extinction of the bananas most commonly found in U.S. supermarkets.
NewsGlobal strategy to combat drug‑resistant fungi is about to change
An increasing number of fungi are becoming resistant to medication, posing serious risks for patients with weakened immune systems. That is why fifty researchers from around the world are calling for action against drug‑resistant fungi.
NewsA bacterium from bumblebees can produce vitamin B2 in soya drinks
Researchers have developed a new method that can reduce the time needed to find new bacteria for fermentation. They have now identified a bacterium that can be used both for acidification and to increase the vitamin B2 content of soya drinks.
NewsIntegration of two genes: A valuable strategy for developing virus-resistant tomatoes
Researchers have demonstrated that integration of Ty-1/Ty-3 and Ty-6 resistance genes in tomato plants can confer highly robust resistance to begomoviruses.
NewsNew biodegradable wash removes pesticides and extends produce shelf life
Researchers have developed a natural, biodegradable wash that removed up to 96 per cent of pesticide residue from fruit and slowed browning and moisture loss.
NewsTiny plankton have big impact on harmful algal bloom predictions
While some computer models can forecast potential algal blooms, their accuracy is limited.. A new study shows that coupling three models and accounting for how different algae species interact can significantly improve predictions.
NewsAfrican swine fever: a novel model for assessing transmission between domestic pigs and wild boar
Researchers have developed an innovative multi-host epidemiological model for African swine fever incorporating both pig farms and wild boar habitats and calibrated using empirical outbreak data. The model uses detailed data from the first phase of the Romanian epidemic.
NewsDrones, DNA, and weather: A phase-oriented hybrid engine to predict sugar beet disease
A fungus that can wipe out up to 50% of a sugar beet crop may soon meet its match in a new generation of smart disease forecasting. Combining drone imagery, weather data, and qPCR-based airborne spore monitoring can reveal where disease is present and what the pathogen is likely to do next.