Microbiology

Collaborative team awarded $12.5 million for new NSF Biology Integration Institute

2020-09-10

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a five-year, $12.5 million grant to integrate biology to a collaborative team based in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The new institute, Genomics and Eco-evolution of Multi-scale...

Asma Hatoum-Aslan, new microbiology professor, named Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator

2020-08-31

Congratulations to University of Illinois professor Asma Hatoum-Aslan, who was recently named a 2020 Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

Precision pathogenesis: a novel approach for studying bacterial toxins in disease

2020-08-18

Illustration of a mouse, with the side view of the abdomen mapping out organs.

In a recent publication, the lab of Steven Blanke, Professor of Microbiology and Ralph S. Wolfe Professorial Scholar, has introduced a new approach for observing the effects of the microbe Helicobacter pylori’s single protein toxin, called the vacuolating cytotoxin, or VacA, in the absence of...

Volunteers at Illinois produce supplies for 200,000 COVID-19 tests

2020-07-07

A vial of Viral Transport Medium produced at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. The fluid is used to preserve patient test samples for COVID-19. (Image courtesy of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology.)

A collaborative effort at the University of Illinois to support COVID-19 testing is winding down, but not before it produced enough materials to support some 200,000 coronavirus tests across the state.

Finding a new link between cellular respiration and virulence in S. aureus

2020-06-19

Photo of two rows of pink test tubes in an orange test tube holder.

Due in part to COVID-19, more and more people realize the importance of taking early steps to understand the virulence mechanisms of pathogens, especially in the face of their widespread resistance to drugs. Doing so gives researchers and clinicians a head start in preparing against future...

MCB's Commitment to Diversity and Equity

2020-06-03

The School of Molecular and Cellular Biology would like to follow up on the statement sent out by the University of Illinois on Saturday. As noted by UI President Timothy Killeen, “The horrifying image of George Floyd dying as a police officer knelt on his neck is one that will be forever burned...

Bacteria show their metal: An evolutionary path to survival

2020-06-04

An investigation of two closely related proteins from a pathogenic bacterium has illustrated for the first time how evolution can shape the use of essential metals by enzymes.

MCB faculty join Congressman for discussion about COVID-19 testing, vaccines, treatments

2020-05-18

Chris Brooke, assistant professor of microbiology, recently spoke with The 21st public radio show about what scientists know about the virus that causes COVID-19, the emerging variants, and what they still have to learn.

Faculty in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology shared the latest news and insights on COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and antibody research with U.S. Congressman Bill Foster this weekend as part of the representative’s Science Saturdays discussion on Facebook Live.

University of Illinois partners with Carle Health and the state to increase COVID-19 testing

2020-04-20

Akanksh Shetty produces Viral Transport Media in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. The fluid is used to preserve patient test samples for COVID-19.

Back in early March, when the COVID-19 pandemic began shuttering businesses and schools across the United States, Chris Brooke wondered how he’d teach his classes online. As the virus spread with astonishing speed, however, and it became frighteningly clear that COVID-19 threatened something far...

“Intracellular accumulation of staphylopine can sensitize Staphylococcus aureus to host-imposed zinc starvation by chelation-independent toxicity”

2020-04-01

Staphylococcus aureus is an antibiotic-resistant pathogen labelled as a “serious threat to human health” by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control. This bacteria is also the subject of a recent paper published by the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Kehl-Fie, Assistant Professor...

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