The role host and vector species play in pathogen transmission cycles is best quantified by integrating species' physiological and ecological competence.

Data-driven methods predict over 35 mosquitoes are potential vectors of Zika virus, suggesting a larger geographic area and a greater human population is at risk of infection.

A new multistep hierarchical cascade controls activation of an integrative and conjugative element in a small subpopulation of cells in its bacterial host, yielding proficient DNA transferring cells.

A trypanosome DYRK kinase that exhibits fundamental differences to conventional DYRK family regulation links parasite quorum sensing, signal transduction and developmental gene expression.

The VSG gene controls its monoallelic expression, and expression site activity determines developmental progression.

Duck Hepatitis B core protein forms capsids with a slowly folding extension domain which folding competence is important for viral replication.

A new experimental system of horizontal gene transfer demonstrates that host retrotransposons facilitate the transfer of host genes into poxviruses.

Environmental gradients can modify a fundamental relationship between host community structure and disease, with implications for predicting disease risk in a changing world.

An insect-transmissible plant pathogen, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, uniquely excavates hypoxia to increase vector capacity via Muc91C-enhanced elasticity of tracheal tubes.

A new cell–cell communication system in Streptococcus salivarius, a human gut commensal, discriminates between close signaling molecules to specifically produce bacteriocin-based antimicrobials and disconnects it from foreign DNA acquisition.