Biology News Net - Microbiology

New genus of bacteria found living inside hydraulic fracturing wells

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 18:38:02 -0500

Ohio State University researchers and their colleagues have identified a new genus of bacteria living inside hydraulic fracturing wells. Researchers analyzing the genomes of microorganisms living in shale oil and gas wells have found evidence of sustainable ecosystems taking hold there--populated in part by a never-before-seen genus of bacteria they have dubbed "Frackibacter."

Yale team discovers how Zika virus causes fetal brain damage

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 19:26:45 -0500

Infection by the Zika virus diverts a key protein necessary for neural cell division in the developing human fetus, thereby causing the birth defect microcephaly, a team of Yale scientists reported Aug. 24 in the journal Cell Reports.

Single-celled fungi multiply, alien-like, by fusing cells in host

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 18:24:07 -0500

Microsporidia cause diarrhea, an illness called microsporidiosis and even death in immune-compromised individuals.

New clues found to how 'cruise-ship' virus gets inside cells

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 18:02:33 -0500

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified the protein that norovirus -- shown here in a colored transmission electron micrograph -- uses to invade cells. Norovirus is the most common viral cause of diarrhea worldwide, but scientists still know little about how it infects people and causes disease. Research has been hindered by an inability to grow the virus in the lab.

Discovery of new hepatitis C virus mechanism

Wed, 27 Jul 2016 17:24:15 -0500

SPP inhibition reduces production of infectious HCV particles and pathogenesis, Researchers at Osaka University, Japan uncovered the mechanisms that suppress the propagation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) with the potential of improving pathological liver conditions. Using model mice, they confirmed that when a certain enzyme is inhibited, HCV particle production is reduced leading to an improvement of pathological liver conditions. They thereby identified a new drug target for the development of new HCV drugs.

Mouse antibodies pinpoint Zika's weak spots

Wed, 27 Jul 2016 17:24:14 -0500

This image shows the mapping of the three distinct Zika virus DIII epitopes onto the mature virion. Antibodies that specifically protect against Zika infection have been identified in mice, report Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers on July 27 in Cell. This is the second publication in recent weeks (another paper showing human Zika antibodies appeared in Science on July 14, DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf8505) that explores the surfaces that the antibodies target on the virus. The information will help inform the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and antibody-based prophylactic and therapeutic agents.

Cracking the mystery of Zika virus replication

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:43:44 -0500

This is the structure of the ZIKV helicase in complex with RNA. Zika virus has now become a household word. It can cause microcephaly, a birth defect where a baby's head is smaller than usual. Additionally, it is associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder that could lead to paralysis and even death. However, how this microbe replicates in the infected cells remains a mystery. Now, an international team led by researchers from Tianjin University and Nankai University has unraveled the puzzle of how Zika virus replicates and published their finding in Springer's journal Protein & Cell.

Researchers map Zika's routes to the developing fetus

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 18:59:14 -0500

Zika virus infects numerous primary cell types and explants of the human placenta, suggesting placental and paraplacental routes of virus transmission. Zika virus can infect numerous cell types in the human placenta and amniotic sac, according to researchers at UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley who show in a new paper how the virus travels from a pregnant woman to her fetus. They also identify a drug that may be able to block it.

Discovery of new strains of the HTLV-4 virus in hunters bitten by gorillas in Gabon

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 17:55:48 -0500

Scientists from the Institut Pasteur and the CNRS have identified two new strains of the HTLV-4 virus in two hunters who were bitten by gorillas in Gabon. These findings, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, support the notion that gorillas represent a major source of infectious agents that can be passed on to humans.

Obscure virus found in women with unexplained infertility

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 17:18:17 -0500

A new study has found that the little-known member of the human herpesvirus family called HHV-6A infects the lining of the uterus in 43% of women with unexplained infertility but cannot be found in uterine lining of fertile women. The study was conducted by investigators at the University of Ferrara, Italy.