🦠 Category

microbiology

816 papers

Prophage induction shifts community composition and functional capacity in a Sargassum-derived multispecies biofilm

This study demonstrates that chemical induction of prophages in a *Sargassum*-derived biofilm triggers a shift in microbial community composition—specifically reducing *Vibrio* abundance while promoting other genera—and alters functional capacity by depleting key metabolic modules, highlighting prophage dynamics as a critical mechanism for structuring and adapting the *Sargassum* microbiome.

Stiffler, A. K., Silveira, C., Wallace, B. A. + 1 more2026-03-26🦠 microbiology

A synonymous mutation in MSMEG_4729 occurs at a high frequency in spontaneous D29-resistant mutants of Mycobacterium smegmatis

This study characterizes the genetic mechanisms of *Mycobacterium smegmatis* resistance to mycobacteriophage D29, revealing that a frequent synonymous mutation in MSMEG_4729 alone is insufficient for resistance but likely contributes to altered LOS biosynthesis and methyltransferase activity, while also identifying defense escape mutants that can overcome this resistance to inform the engineering of next-generation phage therapies.

Yusuf, B., Ju, Y., Zhou, B. + 14 more2026-03-26🦠 microbiology

Granulysin-Based pH-Sensitive Antimicrobial Nanocarriers for Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Wound Infections

This study presents pH-sensitive lipid nanocarriers composed of granulysin and oleic acid that protect the antimicrobial protein from degradation and release it specifically in acidic wound environments, effectively treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections with minimal toxicity in both in vitro and murine models.

Hameed, O. A., Gontsarik, M., Matthey, P. + 4 more2026-03-26🦠 microbiology

Development and evaluation of a dual target glycoconjugate vaccine against Shigella sonnei

This study demonstrates the successful development and evaluation of a novel dual-target *Shigella sonnei* glycoconjugate vaccine, generated via in vivo bioconjugation using an oligosaccharyltransferase to link O-antigen with immunogenic carrier proteins, which effectively elicited IgG responses against both the carrier and the O-antigen in mice.

Hall, C. L., Flood, T., Clare, S. + 4 more2026-03-26🦠 microbiology

Enteric Populations of Escherichia coli are Likely to be Resistant to Phages Due to O-Antigen Expression

Through experimental and mathematical modeling, this study suggests that O-antigen expression renders most enteric *Escherichia coli* resistant to co-occurring phages, thereby limiting the viruses' ability to shape bacterial strain composition in healthy human guts while maintaining phage populations through dynamic transitions between resistant and sensitive states.

Berryhill, B. A., Gil-Gil, T., Burke, K. B. + 10 more2026-03-25🦠 microbiology

The Human Chk1 Inhibitor CHIR-124 Shows Multistage Activity Against the Human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum via Polypharmacological Inhibition of PfArk1 and Hemozoin Formation

The human Chk1 inhibitor CHIR-124 exhibits broad-spectrum antimalarial activity against various stages of *Plasmodium falciparum*, including drug-resistant strains, through a polypharmacological mechanism that simultaneously inhibits the essential kinase PfArk1 and disrupts hemozoin formation.

Wicht, K. J. ., Woodland, J. G., Garnie, L. F. + 27 more2026-03-25🦠 microbiology

Comparative genomic analysis of cyanobacteria as amphibian food sources: insights into high-temperature tolerance potential

This study characterizes two novel thermotolerant *Leptolyngbya* cyanobacterial strains from Japanese hot springs and demonstrates through genomic and metagenomic analyses that they serve as food sources for sympatric tadpoles, offering insights into extreme environment ecology and potential biotechnological applications.

Komoto, T., Cao, L. T. T., Takayanagi, H. + 6 more2026-03-25🦠 microbiology

A dual role for PGLYRP1 in host defense and immune regulation during B. pertussis infection

This study reveals that *Bordetella pertussis* exploits the host protein PGLYRP1 to exert a dual role in infection, where it initially enhances antibacterial defense via NOD1 signaling but later dampens inflammation and impairs bacterial killing by selectively suppressing TREM-1 and NOD2 pathways, thereby uncovering a novel immune evasion strategy with implications for vaccine and therapeutic design.

Rickert, D. M., Cardozo, S., Carbonetti, N. H. + 3 more2026-03-25🦠 microbiology

Functional, genomic, and transcriptomic insights into Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) biodegradation by landfill-derived Brucella intermedia

This study identifies and characterizes two landfill-derived *Brucella intermedia* strains capable of biodegrading linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) through oxidative surface modification and biofilm formation, while confirming their low pathogenicity and limited antimicrobial resistance.

Zaman, I., Moosa, M. M., Hossain, M. M.2026-03-25🦠 microbiology

Genetic Analysis of F1 Cluster Phages that Infect Mycobacterium smegmatis Identifies Two Distinct Holin-Like Proteins that Regulate the Host Lysis Event

Genetic analysis of *Mycobacterium smegmatis* phages Girr and NormanBulbieJr reveals that efficient host lysis requires the coordinated function of two distinct holin-like proteins, LysF1a and LysF1b, where LysF1b is essential for preventing premature lysis and LysF1a acts as a regulatory partner rather than a pure antiholin.

Pollenz, R. S., Ruiz-Houston, K., Dean, W. + 1 more2026-03-25🦠 microbiology

The Yersinia pestis virulence effector YopM binds the human pyrin death domain to inhibit inflammasome activation and effector-triggered immunity

This study elucidates the molecular mechanism by which the Yersinia pestis virulence factor YopM binds to the human pyrin death domain to inhibit inflammasome activation, revealing how this specific host-pathogen interaction likely drove the evolutionary selection of Familial Mediterranean Fever-associated mutations.

Mwaura, B. W., Simard, A. R., Pettis, M. L. + 3 more2026-03-25🦠 microbiology