Navigation Links
A*Star scientists discover how to combat hospital-acquired infections and life-threatening toxins
Date:8/14/2011

ads to US$45 billion in healthcare cost annually and results in nearly 100,000 deaths per year, making HAIs the fourth leading cause of death. The bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa that secretes PE toxin is a common cause of HAIs in vulnerable individuals, including those with burn injuries or receiving intensive care. Unfortunately, HAIs are increasingly difficult to treat because the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is on the rise. Similarly, the E. coli strain that produces Shiga toxins, found in the recent deadly food poisoning cases in Germany, were also resistant to antibiotics. Moreover, in food poisoning cases caused by such toxin-producing bacteria, doctors refrain from using antibiotics as killing the bacteria actually causes more toxins to be released, bringing on the worst symptoms of the illness . There is therefore a real need worldwide for antidotes against these life-endangering toxins.

Highlighting the significance of this study, Dr Bard added, "Through this genome-wide screen, our understanding of how toxins interact with human cells at the molecular level expanded tremendously. Our hope is that with these new therapeutic targets identified from the human genome, we will be one step closer to finding toxin antidotes that will make hospital-acquired infections and enterotoxic E. Coli outbreaks a thing of the past."

More about protein toxins

Though immunologically different from each other, Ricin, PE, Diphtheria and Shiga toxins all kill by destroying the cell's protein synthesis 'factories', the place where all proteins necessary for the cell's survival are produced. To travel to these protein 'factories' in the cell, the toxins first trick the host cell into turning off a natural defense mechanism that destroys foreign proteins. Next, they exploit the host cell's internal transport pathway to reach the protein 'factories', destroying them and killing the cell. When this happens, cell death is imminent.
'/>"/>

Contact: Dr. Sarah Chang KC
chang_kai_chen@a-star.edu.sg
656-826-6442
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology technology :

1. A*STAR scientists invent the worlds only controllable molecule gear of minuscule size of 1.2nm
2. Clemson scientists put a (nano) spring in their step
3. City of Hope Helps KGI Launch New Management Training Program for Scientists
4. University of Pennsylvania scientists move optical computing closer to reality
5. Scientists grow nanonets able to snare added energy transfer
6. The National Cancer Institute Joins the Global Community of Scientists Now Using BIOMARKERcenter From Thomson Reuters
7. Scientists peel away the mystery behind golds catalytic prowess
8. SACHEM Launches 2-D HPLC e-Learning Program : New e-Learning Program Teaches Scientists How to Better Analyze and Prove Product Purity Through Greater Sensitivity and Precision in Identification of Trace Components
9. Vermillion and Stanford Scientists Receive Best Research Award From the PAD Coalition
10. Brewing better beer: Scientists determine the genomic origins of lager yeasts
11. Tengion Scientists Publish Positive Preclinical Findings With Neo-Organ Demonstrating Long-term Durability and Growth With Skeletal Maturation
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/17/2013)... (PRWEB) May 17, 2013 RURO ... ezColony version 4.1, a versatile refinement to the ... software solution, improves its advanced methodical management for ... with ezColony 4.1. The network-based platform provides user ... effective research. While continuing to emphasize streamlined tasks, ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... 2013 ISPE announced ... CAE, to the newly created position of Vice ... Myers will be responsible for stimulating ISPE’s revenue ... advancing the Society’s Member-led and staff-driven business model, ... refine organizational, membership and product marketing. , “Barbara ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... May 16, 2013 Kitware ... solutions, today announces new Phase II SBIR funding ... continued development of an open-source, high performance computing ... integration framework enables researchers to select only the ... of simulation, computation, or analysis tasks. , ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... On average, developing a new drug takes ... Despite this investment, less than 10% of drugs make ... clinical trial design optimally structured to balance time, cost ... Frederic Sax, Global Head of the Center for Drug ... information and technology in upfront clinical trial planning and ...
Breaking Biology Technology:RURO Introduces ezColony 4.1 – The Versatile Transgenic Animal Colony Management Software 2ISPE Names Barbara A. Myers, CAE, as Vice President of Professional Development 2Kitware Develops a Customizable Simulation Framework to Provide HPC for Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturers 2Optimizing Clinical Trials Outcomes through Computer Assisted Design, New Life Science Webinar Hosted by Xtalks 2
... SANTA MONICA, Calif. and LAS VEGAS, Aug. 11 Cord ... umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation companies ( http://www.cordblood-america.com ... of stem cells to families nationwide and internationally, announced today that ... Las Vegas for conversion into a state-of-the-art laboratory for the storage ...
... ... Center for Orthopedics in Sheffield Village, Ohio, now offers OtisKnee® Custom Fit Knee Replacement. ... fit and alignment -- and a faster return to an active lifestyle. , ... Sheffield Village, Ohio (PRWEB) ...
... , FRAZER, Pa., Aug. 10 ... has completed its previously announced acquisition of all of the outstanding ... a result of the acquisition, Arana is now a wholly-owned subsidiary ... Frank Baldino Jr., Ph.D., said, "We are excited about the advanced ...
Cached Biology Technology:Cord Blood America New Las Vegas Stem Cell Laboratory Scheduled for Opening in 4th Quarter 2009 2Cord Blood America New Las Vegas Stem Cell Laboratory Scheduled for Opening in 4th Quarter 2009 3William Stanfield, MD, Is First Cleveland-area Orthopedic Surgeon to Perform OtisKnee Custom Fit Knee Replacement 2William Stanfield, MD, Is First Cleveland-area Orthopedic Surgeon to Perform OtisKnee Custom Fit Knee Replacement 3William Stanfield, MD, Is First Cleveland-area Orthopedic Surgeon to Perform OtisKnee Custom Fit Knee Replacement 4Cephalon Completes Acquisition of Arana Therapeutics 2Cephalon Completes Acquisition of Arana Therapeutics 3
(Date:5/16/2013)... with ,scissor hand-like, claws in fossil records and has ... , The 505 million year old fossil called ... a distant ancestor of lobsters and scorpions, was named ... as Edward Scissorhands - a movie about an artificial ... for hands. , Kooteninchela deppi is ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... from Canada and around the world are meeting ... Neuroscience Meeting will showcase the latest in research ... reveal clues to understanding the disorders that affect ... and this meeting will showcase the best of ... says Sam David, President of the Canadian Association ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... Germany , May 16, 2013 ... Value Enhancement Award on Tuesday to Germany,s ... its exceptional biometric border control system. DERMALOG ... with the Best Practices Award in the category Global ... its cutting edge Biometric   Border Control System ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Actor Johnny Depp immortalized in ancient fossil find 27th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting, Toronto, May 20-24, 2013 2Global Biometrics and Border Control Award for DERMALOG 2Global Biometrics and Border Control Award for DERMALOG 3Global Biometrics and Border Control Award for DERMALOG 4
... AWRE ), a leading supplier of broadband technology and ... June 30, 2011.   Revenue for the second quarter ... $5.0 million in the same quarter last year. The net loss ... diluted share. These results compared to a net loss of $148,000, ...
... 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Clearbridge Accelerator announced today that ... well-established venture capitalist based in the Silicon Valley. Mr ... of Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), is well known for ... Clearbridge Accelerator is a technology incubator ...
... -- A visiting researcher from Sweden in the Indiana University ... international team in culturing, characterizing and formally naming a new ... DNA sequencing from environmental samples. ,Structures on Roots ... known as Soil Clone Group 1 (SCG1), has now been ...
Cached Biology News:Aware, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results 2Aware, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results 3Aware, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results 4Aware, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results 5Singapore Technology Incubator Receives Investment from Silicon Valley "Super-Angel" 2Singapore Technology Incubator Receives Investment from Silicon Valley "Super-Angel" 3Singapore Technology Incubator Receives Investment from Silicon Valley "Super-Angel" 4Singapore Technology Incubator Receives Investment from Silicon Valley "Super-Angel" 5Singapore Technology Incubator Receives Investment from Silicon Valley "Super-Angel" 6Visiting researcher at IU leads international team in formal identification of new fungi class 2Visiting researcher at IU leads international team in formal identification of new fungi class 3