Mechanism That Helps Bacteria Avoid Destruction In Cells Identified

Infectious diseases currently cause about one-third of all human deaths worldwide, more than all forms of cancer combined. Advances in cell biology and microbial genetics have greatly enhanced understanding of the cause and mechanisms of infectious diseases. Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University, the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and Yale University reported in PLoS ONE, a way in which intracellular pathogens exploit the biological attributes of their hosts in order to escape destruction.



Intracellular pathogens include Chlamydia, which causes infertility in women, and Legionella, which causes Legionnaire's disease. These pathogens are able to escape destruction and remain in the cells. Until now, it was unclear how they were able avoid the destruction process. The team of researchers, led by Fabienne Paumet, Ph.D., assistant professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, found that it appears to be due to SNARE-like proteins expressed by the pathogen.



SNARE proteins are necessary for eukaryotic cells to fuse to their intracellular compartments. These proteins, which are present on the surface of almost all intracellular compartments, interact to form a stable complex, triggering fusion of the membranes. Intracellular pathogens, like Chlamydia and Legionella, must contend with vesicular trafficking and membrane fusion in the host cell. But they manage to bypass the lysosome, where other pathogens would normally be destroyed.


The researchers tested the hypothesis that SNARE-like proteins expressed by the bacteria themselves were capable to interact with the eukaryotic SNAREs and alter membrane fusion to their advantage. The Chlamydia bacteria expressed a SNARE-like protein called IncA and the Legionella expressed a SNARE-like protein called IcmG/DotF, both of which inhibit SNARE-protein-mediated fusion.

Milestone discovery in cell behaviours

Scientists are interested in ADAM10 -- and the proteins that are split by this protease -- because it is critical in cellular mechanisms that underlie several major diseases.



"This communication process between cells forms the basis for the way in which certain diseases progress. This discovery will change how we understand cell behaviour and change how we consider the design of therapeutic drugs in this area" Associate Professor Lackmann said.



"This new concept in understanding of how cells communicate identifies a process that is much simpler than previously thought and which will profoundly impact the direction of future biomedical research in this area," he said.


"The research team found that instead of using complex signalling pathways, this communication system is really very direct and simple. In this case it is a transient switch in the overall shape of the contending cell surface receptor itself which activates the ADAM10 protease to communicate this change and its functional consequences to a neighbouring cell.

"The discovery of this switch opens new avenues for the development of drugs that recognise this changed shape and prevent the signalling to other cells, thus slowing or even halting the spread of disease.

Nanotech Research in Europe

Paving the way for nanotechnology research across the globe, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) was officially inaugurated Friday, pushing Europe to the forefront of the field. Among those in attendance were the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I; the president of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva; the president of the Government of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero; and the Prime Minister of Portugal, José Sócrates.During the last two years, the INL has established strategic partnerships with prestigious research centers and universities around the world, including partnerships in the U.S. with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Texas and the Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Job Prospects in Italy

English speakers who hold TOEFL certificates could easily get jobs teaching English as a foreign language. You could also get jobs in bars and any establishment that need employees who can speak English. The new trends in employment in the country are in the wholesale sector, food industries, tourism, auto sales, wood furniture, and mineral industries.

Typical Salaries and Benefits in Italy

Italy is one of the countries with no set minimum wage. The minimum amount an employee would receive depends on the unions and the groups of employers. The highest paid jobs in Italy are those located in the northern parts particularly Milan. Unfortunately for women, they are paid less than men even though the job is the same. Italian employees enjoy a 13th month's salary paid during Christmas. A 14th month's salary is also applicable for some which is paid before summer holidays begin.

Employees in the petroleum and banking industries receive 15th and 16th months' salaries. Average salary in Italy is lower than that of the USA. A manager, for example, receives 2,900 Euros a month only.

High Demand Jobs in Italy

The most in-demand jobs in Italy as of today include jobs in engineering, sales and marketing, general business, cultural advice, and accounting and finance. English speakers could also teach English as a foreign language as long as they have a TEFL certificate.

Immigration and Visa Issues in Italy

You must be a worker's permit holder before you can work in Italy. A worker's permit is sponsored by a company you will work with once you arrive in the country. All citizens of non-EU countries without sponsors are required to get an Entry Visa for Reasons of Work. If you wish to be a resident of Italy, you should have been living and working legally in the country for 183 days.

French Higher education system

Despite their name, most of the Grandes Ecoles are actually quite small, enrolling fewer than 1,000 students. Some of these schools have recently opened their courses to international students, who are strongly encouraged to apply for these first-rate programmes.The French Higher Education system has developed good links with the private sector. Most courses include a training period in a French company, which frequently leads to permanent employment. French universities benefit from close links with local industries and the experience of a foreign professional environment is always an asset for an international student. As a result, France attracts many students from abroad every year.Tuition fees can vary widely but generally range from £2,000 to £4,000 per year.
MS (special Masters Degree): Students can choose from 260 MS subjects at approximately 100 engineering and business schools. The course duration is 12 to 15 months

Australia to cancel 20,000 visas

Australia will cancel 20,000 visa applications from foreign nationals, including Indians.The changes which will be unveiled Monday will see 20,000 current applications binned as a result of an overhaul of the list that identifies occupations in demand and awards points on the basis of professional qualifications of the applicants.

State governments will be asked to develop new migration plans and a new list will be prepared to define occupations in demand in the country. The government will also set a maximum number of visas for a single occupation.

The new system will favour skilled workers such as nurses, medical practitioners, engineers and teachers instead of groups such as cooks and hairdressers.

New Visa Regulations :UK

Under the new measures, successful applicants from India and other countries outside the European Union will have to meet a higher bar on English language requirement, and students taking courses below degree level will be allowed to work for only 10 hours a week, instead of 20 as at present.

Uk Tightens visa rules

The temporary suspension will allow the UKBA to continue to scrutinise applications thoroughly and to manage the visa process efficiently for all our customers in north India," UK deputy high commissioner Nigel Casey said.

Officials said applications would not be accepted from February 1. Neither will applicants be called for appointments or interviews if they have been given dates after February 1. Those submitting applications on or after February 1 will also have to wait until the suspension is revoked. If a genuine student is really keen to travel, he or she may apply to visa centres in other parts of the country.