Browse our latest Microbiology and Infectious Disease articles

The molecular mechanism of switching between phosphotransferase- and phosphatase-competent states in histidine-kinases has been uncovered, through direct crystallographic observation of bona fide complexes between a histidine-kinase and its response regulator from Bacillus subtilise.

Biochemical and cell-based analyses reveal how a non-enveloped virus exploits the chaperone activity of an ER transmembrane protein to penetrate the ER membrane required for successful virus infection.

Mineralized placental tissue from Late Byzantine Troy enables the detailed reconstruction of genomes of mixed bacterial species responsible for maternal sepsis in the ancient world.

Interactions between fungal and bacterial microbiome members alter Drosophila melanogaster's chemical environment, affecting host behavior and survival.

Building on previous work (Wilkinson et al, 2016), it is shown that inhibition of RecBCD-induced DNA break repair can be used as a co-antibacterial strategy with quinolones.

Streptomyces bacteria employ a newly-discovered cell type, the "explorer" cell, to rapidly colonize new areas in the face of competition.

Exploratory growth is a newly discovered mode of Streptomyces growth that it is stimulated by fungi, is pH responsive, and can be communicated to other – physically separated – streptomycetes through airborne compounds.

Building on previous work (Zanini et al, 2015), deep-sequencing is used to show that HIV persistence during suppressive antiretroviral therapy, the main hurdle for HIV cure, is due to homeostatic proliferation and longevity of infected cells rather than ongoing virus replication.

We identify key strengths and limitations in use of viral genotyping and phenotyping to estimate pandemic risk from influenza A viruses, focusing on 3 traits, hemagglutinin binding specificity, hemagglutinin pH of activation, and polymerase complex efficiency.

A previously undescribed protein produced by certain resident intestinal bacteria induces zebrafish pancreatic beta cell expansion.