For decades, the study of bacterial persistence has relied heavily on Escherichia coli as the primary model organism. Microbiologists have largely operated under the assumption that the mechanisms governing antibiotic tolerance in E. coli would translate across other Gram-negative species. However, a recent comparative study by Princeton’s Gabrielle Leon and Mark Brynildsen challenges this paradigm, revealing that Pseudomonas aeruginosa  exhibits significant divergence in

Vibrio cholerae , the etiologic agent of cholera, relies on a sophisticated quorum-sensing (QS) network to orchestrate virulence, biofilm formation, and host colonization. While the receptors CqsS and LuxPQ respond to well-characterized autoinducers, the receptor CqsR has remained more enigmatic. Structure-function studies from the Neiditch lab at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ now provide a high-resolution look at how CqsR recognizes ethanolamine—a prevalen

The enzyme Pah1 is a central figure in the lipid metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , acting as a Mg 2+ -dependent phosphatidate (PA) phosphatase that converts PA into diacylglycerol. This catalytic step is vital for balancing the synthesis of storage lipids like triacylglycerol and the formation of membrane phospholipids. Pah1 is a member of the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD)-like superfamily, which is characterized by a conserved catalytic structure known as the Rossmann-l

The pursuit of rapid, targeted protein evolution has been significantly advanced by systems like OrthoRep, which allows for high-rate in vivo  hypermutation of specific genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae without compromising genomic integrity. Despite its utility, OrthoRep typically relies on activity-dependent growth selection, which can be a bottleneck when attempting to evolve entirely new functions in genes that lack even basal levels of the desired activity. To overcome

The persistent evolution of SARS-CoV-2, driven by the intrinsic infidelity of its RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, continues to pose challenges for global health management. The emergence of antigenically distinct Omicron subvariants—including recent dominant strains like JN.1, KP.3.1.1, and LB.1—has diminished the effectiveness of antibody-based strategies, underscoring the critical need for conserved, direct-acting antivirals. A recent study utilizing the K18-hACE2 transgenic

Whether you joined us in Camden or missed the chance to attend, the  Proceedings of the Theobald Smith Society 2025 Fall Symposium  are now available for download at: https://www.njmicrobe.org/fall-2025-symposium The Proceedings captures the highlights of an exciting day at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, featuring keynote and invited talks, the Young Investigator Award lecture, and 38 posters spanning fundamental, clinical, and environmental microbiology. You’ll f

We are sad to report that Richard Bartha, past president of Theobald Smith Society (1990-1991), passed away on August 11, 2025, at his home in Port Townsend, Washington.   He was ninety years old.  Bartha was a pioneering environmental microbiologist whose gentle wisdom and groundbreaking discoveries significantly contributed to shaping the field of bioremediation. He was surrounded by family and the serenity of the Pacific Northwest landscapes he and his family had long drea

Bacterial adaptation to hostile environments is critically dependent on intricate cellular signaling networks, primarily mediated by...

Enteroviruses, including EV-D68, EV-A71, and Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), are a significant global health threat, causing a spectrum of...