Research In Review

African Trypanosomiasis caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei affects thousands in endemic regions. T. brucei can linger in the bloodstream for lengthy periods of time due to its ability to change its glycoprotein coat regularly to hide from the immune system. This episode's guest studies the molecular mechanisms of how this sneaky parasite is able to hide in the immune system.

Paper available here: DNA double-strand break position leads to distinct gene expression changes and regulates VSG switching pathway choice - PMC (nih.gov)

In this episode how pathogenic bacteria are able to induce the hosts immune response through the modification of chromatin. We learn about the importance of chromatin in the cells as an epigenetic force and how this can create a unique immune response to invaders.

You may have not heard of them yet, but Peroxisomes are a type of organelle in our cells which help up oxidise ultra long chain fatty acids. In this episode we discuss how a GTPase MIRO helps regulate the movement and division of these organelles. We also discuss the perils of being scooped in publishing.

Paper Available here: Peroxisomal fission is modulated by the mitochondrial Rho‐GTPases, Miro1 and Miro2 | EMBO reports (embopress.org)

In this episode we discuss the process of 'cell self eating' known as 'autophagy'. We talk to Dr. Alex Agrotis about his research in to a ubiquitin like pathway. 

In this Episode we talk to Dr. Kate Bishop, Group Leader of the Retroviral Replication Lab at the Francis Crick Institute. We chat about her paper looking out how the uncoating of HIV is dependant on a process called 'First Strand Transfer'. We discuss this process, along with the interdisciplinary approach of both this paper and the field of Virology as a whole. 

Paper Available: https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/publications/hiv-1-capsid-uncoating-initiates-after-the-first-strand-transfer-of-reverse-transcription

Welcome back to a new series of 'Research in Review'.

In this episode we discuss how intracellular bacteria can get trapped in jail cells called 'septin cages'. We talk about the importance of microscopy in visualising results and the importance of different perspectives in the lab.

 Link: Entrapment of intracytosolic bacteria by septin cage-like structures - PubMed (nih.gov)

In this episode we discuss the interaction of the nuclease EsaD with out guest today Professor Palmer. We talk about this protein synthesised by S.aurues and how the strain produces a chaperone protein to prevent self damage. We also discuss how our guest got fascinated by the area of microbiology. 

Read the Paper here at: The Ess/Type VII secretion system of Staphylococcus aureus secretes a nuclease toxin that targets competitor bacteria (nih.gov)

Most of us will have had a course of antibiotics in our lives. However, these somewhat routine medicines are under threat from Anti Microbial Resistant (AMR) pathogens. Today we discuss why AMR is a global threat and how we can make the most of the antibiotics we have by understanding of how they work.

Paper available here: 10.7554/eLife.65836 

Keywords: Viral Ecology, Evolution, Emerging Diseases

In this Episode, we discuss what can cause viruses to switch hosts also known as host shifting. We Discuss this with Dr. Ben Longdon from the University of Exeter who's paper investigates how well a small group of related viruses can infect a group of closely related species.

Paper Available: Between virus correlations in the outcome of infection across host species: Evidence of virus by host species interactions - Imrie - 2021 - Evolution Letters - Wiley Online Library