David Ojcius – Microbiology Research News and Articles

Researchers analyzed isolate genomes from human gut bacteria collected across industrialized and non-industrialized populations worldwide. Compared with metagenome-assembled genomes, isolates recovered more genes and horizontal gene transfer events. Industrialized populations showed larger proteomes, greater pangenome fluidity, and convergent adaptations affecting stress responses, cell-envelope functions, and metabolism.

Taurine helps regulate inflammation during aging by controlling the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. This study shows that taurine efflux is an early step in inflammasome activation, while restoring intracellular taurine prevents trans-Golgi network disassembly and pyroptosis. Findings in aged mice and humans link taurine availability with healthier aging and reduced inflammation.

Quantitative phosphoproteomics reveals phosphorylation changes during the transition from sclerotium to primordium in the medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis . The study identifies key regulatory proteins and signaling pathways, highlighting the Ste7-Fus3 module in cell wall remodeling and oxidative stress responses. Functional validation in Cordyceps militaris supports a conserved role in fungal primordium formation.

Cellular membranes lie at the center of the conflict between viruses and host defenses. This review explores how interferon-driven responses reshape lipid metabolism, membrane properties, intracellular trafficking, and organelle organization to restrict viral replication. It also examines how positive-strand RNA viruses remodel membranes and lipid networks to maintain replication-permissive environments.

Ivermectin is widely used to treat parasitic infections, but its effects on bacterial pathogens have remained largely unexplored. This study demonstrates that ivermectin inhibits infection and growth of Chlamydia trachomatis in epithelial cells. The findings reveal a previously unrecognized antibacterial activity and suggest that clinically achievable doses may have therapeutic potential for sexually transmitted and ocular chlamydial infections.

Using genome mining, transcriptomics, and untargeted metabolomics, this study investigated how N-acetylglucosamine influences secondary metabolism in Actinokineospora bangkokensis 44EHWT. Supplementation induced hundreds of unique metabolites, increased thailandin B abundance, improved crude extract yield by 25.92%, and enhanced antifungal activity against anthracnose pathogens, revealing selective pathway activation.