Browse Articles

In the genomics era,Yersiniahas proven to be a model genus for studying the emergence of pathogenesis. Focusing on this model, McNally and colleagues highlight the events in genome evolution that underlie pathogenesis and argue for an 'eco–evo' perspective of pathogen evolution.

Advances in synthetic biology have simplified the characterization and production of biologically active molecules from various organisms. In this Review, Voigt and colleagues outline the design and construction of pathways used for the synthesis of such natural products in host microorganisms.

Spectral fluorescence imaging identifies the consortium structures formed by nine key taxa of the oral microbiota.

This study shows howSalmonella enterica subsp. entericaserovar Enteritidis evolved within an immunocompromised host from living in the gut to causing bacteraemia.

Deep-sequencing of lymphoid tissue samples from patients infected with HIV who were undergoing suppressive antiretroviral therapy reveals ongoing replication in lymphoid tissues and replenishment of the latent reservoir.

This month's Genome Watch discusses the analysis of aHelicobacter pylorigenome from the preserved Copper-Age mummy known as the Iceman and how ancient genomes shed light on the history of bacterial pathogens.

Phagocytes can detect and eliminate fungal pathogens, but fungi have evolved several mechanisms that enable them to subvert immune recognition, uptake and killing. In this Review, Erwig and Gow detail how fungi interact with the host innate immune system and describe the mechanisms of immune evasion used by fungal pathogens to promote infection.

In this Progress article, Stephanie Karst describes how the gut microbiota promotes intestinal infection by enteric viruses. She discusses direct mechanisms by which bacteria stabilize viral particles and facilitate viral attachment to host cells, and indirect mechanisms by which the microbiota suppresses antiviral immune responses.

A humanized mouse model shows that consumption of a low-fibre diet results in the progressive loss of microbial diversity with each generation.

Genome analysis of 38 differentLegionellaspecies has identified a vast repertoire of effectors, many of which are species-specific and were probably acquired from amoeba hosts or co-infecting pathogens.

African trypanosomes produce extracellular membrane vesicles that transfer virulence factors to neighbouring parasites and host cells.

This study examines how bacteria fine-tune quorum sensing activity to adapt group behaviours such as biofilm formation to local flow conditions.