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Contact-dependent growth inhibition systems are widespread among Gram-negative bacteria, display distinct mechanisms of action and have roles in intraspecies competition.
A new paper inPLoS Pathogens on Streptococcus pneumoniaepneumolysin provides the first example of the involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome in protection against a Gram-positive bacterium.
Pathogens utilize the sugar that is transported by a newly identified family of sugar transporters and, in some cases, induce the expression of these transporters.
A new paper reports that the emergence of a more virulent strain of A/H1N1 pandemic influenza can occur by spontaneous mutations and re-assortment with seasonal viruses.
A mutualistic relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and a member of the most ancient clade of land plants promotes carbon uptake, growth and asexual reproduction in the plant.
Recommendations on the regulation of synthetic biology in the United States provide important lessons on how to foster a nascent field of research while promoting public awareness and support.
Our monthly round up of infectious diseases news, which this month includes cholera in Haiti, exosomes for viral communication, the end of AIDS, statins as antibacterials, and a Q fever outbreak.