One health
Communicable diseases remain one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. There are disparities in the numbers of individuals affected by disease between low-and-middle-income countries and those in developed nations. Microbes will play in important role in drug discovery: producing anticancer drugs and antimicrobials. Applying One Health principles, to understand the interaction of pathogens and the human host, development of diagnostics, treatments, and disease prevention, applied microbiologists can shape global health and wellbeing outcomes.
News
Pre-existing antibodies linked to different immune responses after influenza vaccination
New study highlights how previous exposure to influenza viruses and vaccines can leave behind pre-existing antibodies, which may influence how the immune system responds to later vaccination.
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NewsDevelopment of dual-action compounds to fight cancer and infections
Researchers have developed new hybrid compounds that simultaneously reduce the viability of aggressive cancer cells and inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi.
NewsGut-pancreas immune crosstalk may offer new therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer
A new study reports that immune responses produced in lymph nodes shared by the liver, pancreas and intestine shape T-cell tolerance. This cross-organ immune rewiring increases T-cell infiltration into pancreatic tumors, pointing to potential new approaches for hard-to-treat pancreatic cancers.
NewsFrom local waterways to future therapies: Inspiring the next generation of scientists through phage discovery
Coventry University welcomed students from schools across the West Midlands for an immersive outreach experience focused on bacteria, viruses, AMR, and the potential of bacteriophages as a future tool in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
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News
Doctoral student aims to detect insect-borne viruses sooner
A biomedical engineering doctoral student at the University of Nebraska is developing generative foundation models to forecast the emergence of arboviruses before they spill over into humans.
News‘Known’ TB gene springs to action under stress, with an unexpected biological role
New research has discovered that one of TB’s supposedly “known” genes has a completely unexpected biological role, with far-reaching implications.
NewsPreventive TB treatment for individuals with HIV shown to be effective in real-world settings
A new study has evaluated the real-world impact of TB preventive treatment in six countries with high TB and HIV rates and highlights the importance of preventive treatment in reducing deaths caused by a curable disease.
News35-year study reshapes our understanding of Lyme disease ecology
Researchers reveal surprising findings from one of the world’s longest-running ecological monitoring programs tracking ticks and their hosts.
NewsEngineered macrophages gain enhanced bacteria-targeting ability
A novel membrane interface engineering strategy enables immune cells to specifically recognize, capture and eliminate pathogenic bacteria without genetic modification.
NewsResearchers identify rapidly spreading genetic variants that make parasites resistant to malaria treatment
New genetics study helps explain declining malaria drug susceptibility and highlights the urgent need to track mutations and improve current therapies.
NewsAlbumin is prevented from crossing the placenta – opening opportunities for design of long-acting biologic medicines
Researchers have uncovered that the placenta distinguishes between antibodies and albumin, a finding that may reshape the future design of biologic medicines with reduced fetal exposure.
NewsCell ‘invisibility cloaks’ could offer side-effect-free diabetes treatment
New research suggests manufacturing cells an “invisibility cloak” out of a jelly-like material known as hydrogel, may offer an easier, less damaging treatment pathway for people with diabetes undergoing cell therapy.
NewsUC San Diego receives $12.3 million grant to study the intersection of HIV and methamphetamine use
A newly funded programme aims to use a multidisciplinary approach focused on improving the clinical care and brain health of people with HIV who also have an active methamphetamine use disorder.
NewsStable RNA elements open new possibilities for mRNA therapeutics
New research has discovered compact viral RNA elements that can make mRNA more stable, and could provide a simple way to develop longer-lasting and more efficient mRNA technologies for vaccines and other RNA-based therapeutics.
NewsCells use a little-known molecule to protect themselves from iron overload
New research shows that cells rely on an unexpected protector against elevated iron levels: small molecules called polyamines. These small molecules act like storage lockers for iron, safely holding the metal in a non-reactive state until cells need it.
NewsCould beneficial bacteria help prevent the body from absorbing lead?
New funding supports early-stage research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute that aims to show how pieces of genetic code produced in the gut by healthy bacteria could block lead exposure.
NewsNovel AI model accurately detects key gene mutations and predicts biomarkers across 32 cancer types
Researchers have developed a novel AI model capable of predicting cancer subtypes, specific genetic mutations, and survival outcomes across 32 different cancers.
NewsImmune molecules play a limited role in ALS progression
New research indicates that immune-related molecules change in motor neurons affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but they do not appear to be major drivers of disease progression.
NewsPregnancy increases immune burden on women with arthritis and lupus
New research finds that the immune system of women with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus react very differently to pregnancy: rheumatoid arthritis patients often experience an improvement in symptoms, while lupus patients have an elevated risk of deterioration.
NewsCould preventing shingles also help prevent dementia?
A new study finds that older adults who received a shingles vaccine had a 24% lower risk of developing dementia over four years. The findings add to growing evidence that preventing shingles may also protect against neurological disease.
NewsVanderbilt health evaluating vaccine for C. difficile for people 65 and older
Investigators are enrolling participants in a Phase 3 clinical trial testing an investigational vaccine against Clostridioides difficile, a contagious bacterial infection of the colon.
CareersA day in the life: Discovering the hidden microbes of Britain’s historic waters
PhD student Wewerly Fernandes outlines her investigations into the microorganisms living in Britain’s historic wells and natural springs - once believed to hold healing properties and linked to legends of Merlin and renowned figures like Robert Burns.
NewsDrought is reshaping the spread of infectious diseases
A review study reveals how drier conditions could make humans and wildlife more vulnerable to certain infectious diseases, even though many parasites and disease-carrying organisms depend heavily on water to survive.