Some pathogens persist in the body causing chronic infections. Researchers at the University of Basel have now discovered a mechanism of highly selective targeting of host proteins by a bacterial toxin that is critical for the bacteria to establish chronic infection. The study recently published in PNAS provides new insights into the activity and function of bacterial toxins.
The tense situation in eastern Ukraine is fueling fears of a renewed escalation of a conflict that has forced two million people to flee their homes since 2014. Sociologist Professor Viktoria Sereda is investigating what this displacement means for individuals and Ukrainian society. She is currently a visiting researcher at the University of Basel.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness has granted 600,000 USD to help Hendrik Scholl as principal investigator define a novel way of reversing blindness. Hendrik Scholl is professor of ophthalmology at the University of Basel and clinical director of the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB).
Quantum systems consisting of several particles can be used to measure magnetic or electric fields more precisely. A young physicist at the University of Basel has now proposed a new scheme for such measurements that uses a particular kind of correlation between quantum particles.
The European Research Council has awarded ERC Advanced Grants to two scientists from the University of Basel. Neurobiologist Prof. Silvia Arber and parasitologist Prof. Jennifer Keiser will receive funding in the millions for their pioneering research projects.
Yesterday the Senate elected neurobiologist Professor Nicole Schaeren-Wiemers to the newly created post, which has been established as part of the reorganization of the President's Board. The Senate-designated University Councillor Professor Ottfried Jarren also reported on his work in the strategic committee. Jarren will step down at the end of the year; his successor will also be designated by the end of the year.
Snow cover in the Alps has been melting almost three days earlier per decade since the 1960s. This trend is temperature-related and cannot be compensated by heavier snowfall. By the end of the century, snow cover at 2,500 meters could disappear a month earlier than today, as simulations by environmental scientists at the University of Basel demonstrate.
Most antibiotics need to penetrate their target bacteria. But Darobactin, a newly discovered compound, is much too large to do so. Nonetheless, it kills many antibiotic-resistant pathogens – by exploiting a tiny weak spot on their surface. Researchers at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, have now revealed the amazing mechanism at play and thereby opened the door to developing completely new medicines.Most antibiotics need to penetrate their target bacteria. But Darobactin, a newly discovered compound, is much too large to do so. Nonetheless, it kills many antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Researchers at the University of Basel have now revealed the amazing mechanism at play and thereby opened the door to developing completely new medicines.
When trees die during a period of drought, they die of thirst: researchers from the University of Basel have demonstrated in a field study that a rapid collapse in the hydraulic system is responsible for tree death. And they found out that the trees possibly die more rapidly than previously thought.
