Latest Articles
Editor's Pick Research ArticleEvaluating the Antimicrobial Properties of Commercial Hand SanitizersIn response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hand hygiene has taken on a prominent role in efforts to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission and infection, which has led to a radical increase in the number and types of hand sanitizers manufactured to meet public demand. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated or compared the antimicrobial performance of hand sanitizers that are being produced under COVID-19 emergency...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyChromatin-Associated Protein Complexes Link DNA Base J and Transcription Termination in LeishmaniaLeishmania parasites cause a variety of serious human diseases, with no effective vaccine and emerging resistance to current drug therapy. We have previously shown that a novel DNA base called J is critical for transcription termination at the ends of the polycistronic gene clusters that are a hallmark of Leishmania and related trypanosomatids.
Research ArticlePrimer, Pipelines, Parameters: Issues in 16S rRNA Gene SequencingIn 16S rRNA gene sequencing, certain bacterial genera were found to be underrepresented or even missing in taxonomic profiles when using unsuitable primer combinations, outdated reference databases, or inadequate pipeline settings. Concerning the last, quality thresholds as well as bioinformatic settings (i.e., clustering approach, analysis pipeline, and specific adjustments such as truncation) are responsible for a number of observed...
Research ArticleAntibody Response against SARS-CoV-2 and Seasonal Coronaviruses in Nonhospitalized COVID-19 PatientsThere is strong interest in the nature of the neutralizing antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in infected individuals. For vaccine development, it is especially important which antibodies confer protection against SARS-CoV-2, if there is a phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection, and if there is cross-protection by antibodies directed against seasonal coronaviruses.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAn Expanded Gene Catalog of Mouse Gut MetagenomesWe established an expanded gene catalog of the mouse gut metagenome not only to increase the sample size compared to that in existing catalogs but also to provide a more comprehensive reference data set of the mouse gut microbiome for bioinformatic analysis. The expanded gene catalog comprises more than 5.8 million unique genes, as well as a wide range of taxonomic and functional information.
Research ArticleStreptococcus pneumoniae, S. mitis, and S. oralis Produce a Phosphatidylglycerol-Dependent, ltaS-Independent Glycerophosphate-Linked GlycolipidThe cell wall is a critical structural component of bacterial cells that confers important physiological functions. For pathogens, it is a site of host-pathogen interactions.
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyOuter Membrane Structural Defects in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Affect Neutrophil Chemokinesis but Not ChemotaxisNeutrophils are the first responders to invading pathogens; thus, understanding their migratory response to live pathogens is crucial. We developed a microfluidic assay that separates bacteria from phagocytic neutrophils while maintaining chemical communication between the two populations.
Research ArticleThe Cytospora chrysosperma Virulence Effector CcCAP1 Mainly Localizes to the Plant Nucleus To Suppress Plant Immune ResponsesThe data presented in this study provide a key resource for understanding the biology and molecular basis of necrotrophic pathogen responses to Nicotiana benthamiana resistance utilizing effector proteins, and CcCAP1 may be used in future studies to understand effector-triggered susceptibility processes in the Cytospora chrysosperma-poplar interaction system...
Perspective | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyTuberculosis under the Influence of COVID-19 Lockdowns: Lessons from Tehran, IranThis study investigates the short-term effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown on tracing and detection of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tehran, Iran. Results of this study have demonstrated that due to the significant decrease in the identification of patients with suspected TB during the COVID-19 outbreak in Tehran, it is imperative that patients with suspected TB be tracked and diagnosed more quickly to...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyLight Capture, Skeletal Morphology, and the Biomass of Corals’ Boring EndolithsMicrobial communities living inside the skeletons of living corals play a variety of important roles within the coral meta-organism, both symbiotic and parasitic. Properly contextualizing the contribution of these enigmatic microbes to the life history of coral reefs requires knowledge of how these endolithic biofilms vary between coral species.