Microbiology

News • Barrier effect research

Using bacteria to improve microbiota resistance to pathogens

Microbiota composition can help prevent pathogenic bacteria from proliferating, known as the barrier effect. Now, scientists have identified seven bacteria involved, paving the way for new therapies.

News • Intestinal disease diagnosis

Next-generation tools find infections missed by standard tests

A University of Liverpool study has used advanced genetic and genomic techniques to offer a major step forward in understanding and diagnosing infectious intestinal diseases.

News • Focus on mutation frequency decline

A new strategy to combat antibiotic resistance

Finding ways to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a scientific and medical priority. A consortium of researchers identified a compound capable of blocking a key protein for virulence, thus…

News • Study on Staphylococcus aureus

Understanding bacterial antiviral defenses to tackle antibiotic resistance

In a new study, researchers show that the emergence of antibiotic resistance can be understood in the mechanism of how bacteria build up defences against being infected by viruses.

News • A closer look at the GI microbiome

“Gut-on-a-chip” predicts immunotherapy efficacy against melanoma

The gastrointestinal microbiome holds valuable information that can help predict whether immunotherapy will be successful against melanoma. A new “gut-on-a-chip” is designed to do exactly that.

News • Potentiator of AMR emergence and expansion

Diabetes as a driver of antibiotic resistance

Microbiologists have just shown that people with diabetes are more likely to develop antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of AMR-associated infections and deaths.

News • Role of the microbiome

Alzheimer's: X-rays unveil gut-brain connection

Researchers explore the connection between the gut and the brain and its impact on the onset of psychiatric and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s.

News • Concerning discovery

New antibiotics can develop resistance before even hitting the market

Two recent studies find that resistance can develop against new antibiotics even before they are widely used, compromising their effectiveness from the start.

News • Emergence of E. coli

Studies reveal circulation of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales in Europe

Two studies indicate warning signs about spread of bacteria resistant to the same group of antibiotics (carbapenems) in both healthcare and community settings across Europe.

News • Personalised antimicrobial susceptibility testing

AI to tackle antibiotic resistance in UTI treatment

New research has shown that using artificial intelligence (AI) can improve how urinary tract infections (UTIs) are treated, and help to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

News • Restoring antibacterial efficacy

New hydrogel helps overcome antibiotic resistance

In the laboratory, researchers increased the bactericidal effect of antibiotics 64-fold with the use of a new hydrogel. The material made the antibiotics effective even against resistant bacteria.

News • Insights into ribosome variants

What keeps antibiotic-resistant bacteria from taking over?

It would seem that developing antibiotic resistance would give bacteria an immense advantage over their non-resistant counterparts. So, why do they not become dominant? New research may provide an answer.

News • Hidden habitat for Listeria, E. coli and more

Microplastics help pathogens survive wastewater treatment

Wastewater treatment fails to kill several human pathogens, such as Listeria or E. coli, when they hide out on microplastics in the water, according to a new study.

News • Microbiome research

Intensive research of intestinal microbiome: The vital role of small RNA in colonization

The gut microbiome varies from person to person in terms of the bacterial species represented and their colonization density. Segatella copri is the most prominent germ. Researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research goal to clarify its health significance.

News • Protective mucus layer

Studies assess damage from antibiotic use on the gut microbiome

The microbiome – bacteria in the GI tract – is essential for digesting food and training the immune system. New studies explore how repeated antibiotic use can upset this delicate system.

News • Antibiotic resistance control

Better tracking of AMR hospital bacteria

Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant (AMR) bacteria are a major issue in hospitals. A new technique aims to effectively track all types of relevant microorganisms simultaneously.

News • Focus on Toxoplasma gondii

Could brain parasites help treat cognitive disorders?

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite with the ability to infect the brain, causing life-threatening diseases. Researchers now want to harness its properties to advance treatment of cognitive disorders.

News • HAI research on MDR pathogen

New insights into hospital-acquired Klebsiella infections

Klebsiella is among the top three pathogens responsible for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Now, researchers discovered why the bacteria thrive in clinical environments.

News • Evolution and host-specific adaptation

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: origins of an epidemic pathogen

How do pathogenic bacteria evolve to become epidemic? To find out, researchers examined DNA data from almost 10,000 samples taken from infected individuals, animals, and environments around the world.

News • Heteroresistance

Researchers discover new mechanisms behind antibiotic resistance

A new study explores the phenomenon of heteroresistance in bacteria, which is a key driver of antibiotic resistance. Two new discoveries could impact the development of future AMR strategies.

News • Transfusion medicine

One step closer to universal donor blood

Donor blood is a scarce and valuable resource. Researchers aim to mitigrate this by using enzymes to remove specific sugars that make up the A and B antigens in the human ABO blood groups.

News • Gene-snipping bacterial defenses

CRISPR: a promising tool to fight antibiotic resistance, but...

Could the 'gene scissors' CRISPR be used to make resistant bacteria susceptible to first-line antibiotics again? According to new reseach, yes – but the experts also point out serious caveats.

News • Microbial influence on treatment

Study explores the role of bacteria in cancer

Bacteria can help – or hinder – the treatment of cancer. How this happens, however, is largely unknown. Now, researchers have mapped bacteria in cancer metastases to shed more light on their role.

News • Proof of Concept funding

New research to starve resistant bacteria

Researchers are developing novel active substances designed to cut off the nutrient supply of resistant bacteria, effectively starving them to death.

News • Potential for screening and treatments

Study links bacteria subtype to colorectal cancer growth

A specific subtype of a microbe commonly found in the mouth has been identified that is able to travel to the gut and grow within colorectal cancer tumors, driving cancer progression.

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