Scientists know that bacteria use CRISPR-Cas systems to capture short DNA “memories” (called spacers) from viruses (such a bacteriophages) in order to defend themselves from attack by those viruses. Classical models assume that those bacteria must somehow survive a lethal phage attack at least long enough to acquire and use these spacers. Professor Keith and…
Read MoreIn a study from UC Davis, a gut bacterial metabolite has been used to reverse liver and gut cellular injury. The chemical is 10-hydroxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid (10-HSA), and is typically produced by Lactobacillus species. 10-HAS is a PPARα agonist, and stimulates collagen synthesis. The research team administered 10-HSA orally to mice who suffered from liver and…
Read MoreResearchers in South Korea have identified and characterized an anti-bacterial peptide (small protein) in leech saliva. Using current technological tools and computing, S. Dinesh Kumar and colleagues at the Korea Basic Science Institute described their search, discovery, and characterization of these antibacterial molecules called Hirunipins in the journal “Advance Science”. Not only did they document…
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