Main Menu

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) bacteria, or pneumococcus, can cause many types of illnesses. These range from ear and sinus infections to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis. Pneumococci are surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule, which is thought to help it evade the immune system. Presently, over 90 known serotypes of S. pneumoniae have been identified, of which only a minority produce the majority of pneumococcal infections; a serotype is defined by a unique pneumococcal capsule structure.

Chemokine receptors are expressed by many cells, including lymphoid cells, and function to mediate cell trafficking and localization. CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a seven-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) which regulates trafficking and effector functions of memory/effector T-lymphocytes, macrophages, and immature dendritic cells. Chemokine binding to CCR5 leads to cellular activation through pertussis toxin-sensitive heterotrimeric G proteins as well as G protein-independent signalling pathways.

Clinical and biological specimens often contain microbial nucleic acid in extremely low quantities, presenting a significant challenge for the detection of viral and bacterial pathogens. This also prevents direct sequencing of non-culturable samples using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Currently, NGS library preparation on most platforms requires 0.1 ng to 10 µg of DNA or cDNA, while microbial or viral nucleic acids in clinically relevant specimens, such as blood, serum, respiratory secretions, cerebral spinal fluid, and stool, often contain less than 0.1 ng.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infects nearly all children by their second birthday. RSV usually causes mild respiratory illness, however, a subset of patients experience severe infection that require hospitalization. Successful host defense against viral pathogens requires rapid recognition of the virus and activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) are responsible for mounting an innate immune response and genetic variations within TLRs modulate severity of infection.

Anthrax, whether resulting from natural or bioterrorist-associated exposure, is a constant threat to human health. Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax. It is surrounded by a polypeptide capsule of poly-gamma-D-glutamic acid (gamma-D-PGA), which is essential for virulence, is poorly immunogenic and has anti-phagocytic properties. Antibodies to the capsule have been shown to enhance phagocytosis and killing of encapsulated bacilli.

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative diseases of great public concern as humans may either develop disease spontaneously or, more rarely, due to mutations in their prion protein gene or exposures to external sources of infection. Prion disease is caused by the accumulation in the nervous system of abnormal aggregates of prion protein. This technology enables rapid, economical, and ultrasensitive detection of disease-associated forms of prion protein.

The rapid worldwide spread and impact of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created a need for accurate, reliable, and readily accessible testing on a massive scale.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a novel RNA enveloped coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 when the virus enters human airway cells via an ACE2-mediated entry process. This entry pathway is facilitated by the cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), which enhances viral attachment to the cell surface. Researchers at NIDDK and NCATS have discovered a collection of FDA-approved drugs that can interfere with the entry of SARS-CoV-2. These drugs can be grouped into three classes based on the distinct steps in the viral entry pathway that they target.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with nearly 200,000 cancers and 140,000 deaths each year. EBV-associated cancers include Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt B cell lymphoma, and EBV post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. The latent reservoir for EBV in the body is the B lymphocyte. Thus, blocking B cell infection is important for reducing EBV-related disease.

During lung infection, bloodstream neutrophils (PMNs) responding to infection travel to the airspace lumen. Although successful arrival of microbicidal PMNs to the airspace is essential for host defense against inhaled pathogens, excessive accumulation of PMNs in the lung contributes to the pathogenesis of several prevalent lung disorders, including acute lung injury, bronchiectasis, and COPD. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for controlling PMN accumulation in the lung.