Microbiology

Mobilization of vitamin B12 transporters alters competitive dynamics in human gut microbe

2022-03-03

Katie Frye sits at her desk, masked and gloved, holding up a Petri dish.

Researchers at the University of Illinois shed new light on the process surrounding the transport of vitamin B12, a type of large corrinoid molecules. Their findings on how the mobilization of B12 transporters alters the competitive dynamics in a human gut microbe are published in the journal Cell...

Meet MCB: Microbiology professor Paola Mera

2022-02-25

The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute spotlights microbiology assistant professor Paola Mera and shares how she discovered her passion for research. Mera's research aims at filling the gaps in knowledge to control the life cycle of bacteria so that they can design better ways to enhance...

University of Illinois students explore interdisciplinary approaches to Microbial Systems through MicroERA

2022-02-09

Graphics depicting floating microbes in blue shades.

University of Illinois students and postdocs are connecting across disciplines to explore research, networking, career and professional development opportunities related to microbial systems. The Microbial Early-career Researchers Association (MicroERA) was established in 2019 by graduate students...

E. coli induces repair enzymes to protect itself from low-grade hydrogen peroxide stress

2022-02-07

Green Florescent Protein (GFP) being expressed in a strain of E.coli in L.B. agar medium .The plate in the center is the control that is not expressing any GFP.

Building upon decades of research, scientists at the University of Illinois have determined Escherichia coli (E. coli) induces DNA repair enzymes to protect itself from low-grade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) stress. Their collective findings, published recently in Molecular Microbiology, suggest the...

Meet MCB: Microbiology PhD student Stefanie Eben

2022-02-02

Stefanie Eben gazes at Petri dish in lab.

From studying E. coli to riding horses, Stefanie Eben says she has found the perfect mixture of academic and personal fulfillment at the University of Illinois.

Twelve faculty, including MCB professor, selected for the 2022 NIH Grant Writing Series mentorship program

2022-01-31

Graphic with a block I. Text below: IHSI

The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI) is offering the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant Writing Series virtually during the 2022 spring semester. The NIH Grant Writing Series prepares faculty to submit their first R01 or other individual investigator proposals to the NIH....

Latest Jump ARCHES Awards Focus on Medical Tech Solutions to Meet Vexing Health Care Challenges

2022-01-19

Rachel Whitaker sits at desk, smiling for camera.

Twenty research projects are sharing slightly more than $1.4 million in funding through the Jump ARCHES research and development program to address a variety of vexing medical challenges including neurological testing for children and athletes (such as concussions), migraines, and stress among...

CCIL’s Cancer and Microbes Working Group explores new collaborations

2021-12-10

The Cancer Center at Illinois and the Microbial Systems Initiative held the Cancer and Microbes Workshop as part of a new partnership formed between the CCIL and the MSI to promote collaboration at the interface of microbial sciences and cancer research.

Study reveals how bacterial pathogen adapts to nutritional stress

2021-12-06

In order to cause disease, the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus must adapt to the changing host environment. Many of these adaptations are mediated through two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs) that coordinate gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. In a new study...

In memoriam: Professor Eric Jakobsson a ‘Renaissance man’ who cared about community

2021-11-19

Text: In Memoriam, Professor Eric Jakobbson

Longtime Urbana resident Eric Jakobsson is being remembered as a devoted husband and father, a brilliant scientist and mentor, a political bridge-builder and all-around nice guy.

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