Microbiology explores the invisible world of tiny life forms that shape our health, environment, and even the air we breathe. From bacteria and viruses to fungi and parasites, this field investigates how these microscopic organisms interact with us and each other, driving everything from disease outbreaks to beneficial fermentation processes. Understanding them is crucial for developing new medicines, improving food safety, and combating global health challenges.

At Gist.Science, we make the latest discoveries in this dynamic field accessible to everyone. We process every new preprint uploaded to bioRxiv in this category, transforming dense academic findings into both clear, plain-language explanations and detailed technical summaries. This ensures that whether you are a student, a researcher, or simply curious, you can grasp the significance of cutting-edge science without getting lost in jargon.

Below are the most recent papers in microbiology, curated and summarized directly from the bioRxiv server to keep you at the forefront of discovery.

🦠 microbiology

Microfluidic Platform for Automatic Quantification of Malaria Parasite Invasion Under Physiological Flow Conditions

The authors developed a microfluidic platform that simulates physiological blood flow to demonstrate that fluid shear stress critically influences *Plasmodium falciparum* parasite invasion in a genotype-dependent manner, a phenomenon undetectable in static culture conditions.

Kals, E., Kals, M., Introini, V., Vodenicharski, B., Kotar, J., Rayner, J. C., Cicuta, P.2026-02-27
🦠 microbiology

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a Brucella abortus L7/L12 DNA vaccine delivered via chitosan modified PLGA nanoparticles in mice

This study demonstrates that chitosan-modified PLGA nanoparticles effectively deliver *Brucella abortus* L7/L12 DNA vaccines to mice, eliciting robust Th1/Th2 immune responses and providing significantly superior protection against virulent *B. abortus* infection compared to naked DNA.

Chaudhari, U., Dandapat, S., Panickan, S., Kumar, V., Sawant, P. M.2026-02-27
🦠 microbiology

Identification of Antibiofilm Agents against Salmonella enterica from the Pathogen Box Compound Library

This study screened the MMV Pathogen Box library against *Salmonella enterica* and identified several compounds, most notably the gold(I)-containing drug auranofin, that effectively inhibit biofilm formation through mechanisms involving motility suppression without significantly affecting bacterial growth.

Fagbemi, A. A., Babalola, C. P., Kwasi, D. A., Akinlabi, O. C., Kotila, O., Okeke, I. N.2026-02-27
🦠 microbiology

Combined Antibiotic and Herbicide Pollution Accelerates the Horizontal Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Coastal Microbial Communities

This study demonstrates that triazine herbicides, both alone and in combination with fluoroquinolone antibiotics, significantly accelerate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in coastal microbial communities by inducing oxidative stress, altering membrane permeability, and upregulating conjugation-related genes.

Yang, H., Ma, H., Yang, Y., Ru, S., Liu, Y., Wang, M., Miao, H., Guo, Z., Yang, L., Cui, P.2026-02-27
🦠 microbiology

Heavy Metal-Resistant, Plastic-Degrading Bacillus sp. Isolated from Landfill Leachate: Identification and Characterization

This study identifies and characterizes heavy metal-resistant, plastic-degrading *Bacillus* strains isolated from Dhaka landfills, demonstrating their potential as effective agents for integrated bioremediation of complex mixed-waste contamination through linked enzymatic mechanisms and horizontal gene transfer.

Antu, U. S., Sarker, A., Haque, N., Karmakar, J., Khaleque, A., Hossain, M. S., Parvez, M. A. K.2026-02-27
🦠 microbiology

Screening the MMV Pathogen Box reveals the mitochondrial bc1-complex as a drug target in mature Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites.

By screening the MMV Pathogen Box against *Toxoplasma gondii* bradyzoites using a novel myotube culture model, researchers identified compounds that kill both parasite stages by targeting the mitochondrial bc1-complex, revealing that mature bradyzoites rely on mitochondrial ATP production for survival.

Maus, D., Putrianti, E., Hoffmann, T., Laue, M., Seeber, F., Blume, M.2026-02-26
🦠 microbiology

Archaic translation initiation factor eIF5B supports KSHV late lytic replication and viral oncogenesis by mimicking a hypoxic cellular landscape

This study reveals that Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) hijacks the archaic translation initiation factor eIF5B to bypass eIF2-mediated translational shutdown during infection, thereby mimicking a hypoxic cellular environment to drive viral replication, oncogenic transformation, and angiogenesis.

shembade, n., McDonald, C., Omayra Mendez-SolIs, O., Tan, Y.-D., Naipauer, J., Khasa, R., Ahuja, A., Karaca, E., Marcelo (…)2026-02-26
🦠 microbiology

Rab9 depletion enhances human adenovirus type 26 transduction efficiency through increased internalization and reduced late endosomal/lysosomal retention

This study reveals that human adenovirus type 26 (HAdV-D26) exhibits prolonged intracellular trafficking distinct from HAdV-C5, and demonstrates that depleting the host protein Rab9 enhances HAdV-D26 transduction efficiency by increasing viral internalization and reducing its retention in late endosomes and lysosomes.

Draskovic, I., Nestic, D., Lulic-Horvat, L., Martincic, J., Stojanovic, M., Condezo, G. N., Kasnar, K., San Martin, C. (…)2026-02-26