Category archives: Microbiology

Bees seeking bacteria: How bees find their microbiome

Bees seeking bacteria: How bees find their microbiome

BiologyMicrobiology

By Invited Researcher

In late summer last year my doctor prescribed a monthlong course of antibiotics for an infection. Medicines like antibiotics are great at wiping out bacterial infections. The problems is that these drugs don’t differentiate between eliminating the “good” bacteria that may benefit our health and the “bad” bacteria causing infection. I was absolutely miserable and […]

Bacteria and cancer: the deadly mix

Bacteria and cancer: the deadly mix

BiomedicineMedicineMicrobiology

By Pasquale Pellegrini

Chemo-resistance remains a leading cause of mortality in cancer. Two recent discoveries demonstrate that some bacteria strains induce chemo-resistance, and can be targeted to increase the efficacy of therapeutic agents. The emerging relationship between the microorganisms and tumor progression has led many research groups to investigate whether the existence of a particular pattern of bacteria […]

Microbiota and depression

Microbiota and depression

HealthMicrobiologyNeurobiologyNeurosciencePhysiology

By José Ramón Alonso

Gut microbiota has a surprising importance in processes related to the development of the nervous system, its functioning and to psychology and behavior, both in people and in animals. The microorganisms produce substances that after crossing the intestinal epithelium reach the blood and through it and after crossing the blood-brain barrier they reach the brain […]

Is thermal sterilisation of preservative-free rice cakes possible?

Is thermal sterilisation of preservative-free rice cakes possible?

HealthMathematicsMicrobiology

By BCAM

High-moisture soft solid snack foods such as rice cakes have become increasingly popular. Most of these snacks are freshly made and sold on the spot, whilst industrially produced versions use chemical preservatives to inhibit microbial growth and improve shelf life. With the increasing demand for preservative-free foods from some consumers, physical methods are needed to […]

Enzybiotics, from phages to the inhaler.

Enzybiotics, from phages to the inhaler.

BiomedicineMedicineMicrobiologyPharmacy

By Invited Researcher

I n the age of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, the so-called superbacteria, it is critical to our future the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Lytic enzymes encoded by bacteriophages – viruses that specifically kill bacteria, also called lysins or enzybiotics, are effective agents for preventing and controlling diseases caused by Gram+ bacteria, including Streptococcus […]

How maternal vaginal microbiome can bring you to madness

How maternal vaginal microbiome can bring you to madness

BiologyBiomedicineMicrobiologyNeurobiology

By Raúl Delgado-Morales

Maternal and paternal stress have been proved to be critical aspects of off-spring brain development. High levels of stress on pregnant mothers can alter both placental and embryonic gene expression patterns, misprogramming the brain of the newborn towards psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression. At the same level, paternal stress alters microRNAs and other […]

The mechanochemistry of E. coli type 1 pilus

The mechanochemistry of E. coli type 1 pilus

BiochemistryBiomedicineMicrobiology

By DIPC

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is responsible for approximately 90% of urinary tract infections (UTI) seen in individuals with an ordinary anatomy. In ascending infections, fecal bacteria colonize the urethra and spread up the urinary tract to the bladder as well as to the kidneys (causing pyelonephritis), o or the prostate in males. Because women have […]

The rise of the superbugs

The rise of the superbugs

MicrobiologyPharmacy

By Sergio Laínez

Our society will be facing a number of health-related challenges in the near future, partly as a consequence of our own practices. Perhaps the best known examples are the (severe) health issues linked to smoking (not just to smokers, but also their children via epigenetic changes) or the abnormally high intake of carbohydrates, with the […]