Could childhood bacteria be driving colon cancer in millennials?
DNA mutations in colon cells that are known to be caused by a toxin produced by Escherichia coli, called colibactin, were 3.3 times more common in adults who developed colon cancer before age 40 than in those diagnosed after age 70.The patterns of mutations are thought to arise when children are exposed to colibactin before age 10, researchers reported in Nature.The mutation patterns were particularly prevalent in countries with a high incidence of early-onset cases.'If someone acquires one of these... mutations by the time they're 10 years old, they could be decades ahead of schedule for developing colorectal cancer, getting it at age 40 instead of 60,' study leader Ludmil Alexandrov of UC San Diego said in a statement.advertisement'Not every environmental factor or behavior we study leaves a mark on our genome,' said Alexandrov. 'But we've found that colibactin is one of those that can. In this case, its genetic imprint appears to be strongly associated with colorectal cancers in young adults.'The researchers have found other mutational signatures in colorectal cancers from specific countries, particularly Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Russia and Thailand.This suggests that local environmental exposures may also contribute to cancer risk, they said.'It's possible that different countries have different unknown causes,' study co-author Marcos Diaz-Gay of the Spanish National Cancer Research Center in Madrid said in a statement.'That could open up the potential for targeted, region-specific prevention strategies.'
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The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Scientists turn E. coli bacteria into a mercury sensor
In a step towards building cheap and programmable bioelectronic devices, Imperial College London and Zhejiang University researchers have shown in a new study that genetically engineered bacteria can be turned into self-powered chemical sensors that interface directly with electronics. According to the authors, these new platforms are possible today thanks to advances in synthetic biology and bioelectrochemistry. Traditional biosensors, such as those based on enzymes, are often fragile, costly and/or have a slow response time in complex environments. Whole-cell biosensors, which use living microorganisms, can maintain and repair themselves and operate inside contaminated samples. However, in most conventional designs, these biosensors' output signals are in the optical range, which is harder to integrate into portable or field-deployable electronics. In their study, the researchers built a modular biosensor that could sense the presence of specific compounds and convert that into an electrical signal, which is compatible with low-cost electronics. The team used genetically engineered Escherichia coli bacteria as 'containers'. The microbes hosted three biosensor modules. The sensing module detected a target chemical through specific molecular regulators. The information processing module amplified or processed the signal. And the output module produced phenazines, nitrogen-containing organic molecules that can be measured using an electrochemical technique called voltammetry. This way, the researchers built two biosensors. The first one could detect arabinose, a simple plant sugar often used in lab media. When a sample containing the sugar came in contact with the bacteria, the cells started producing phenazine-1-carboxylic acid. When this molecule touched the electrode, the latter produced a current that rose with sugar level. The signal appeared in roughly two hours. The second sensor detected mercury ions in water. Because these ions are present only in trace quantities in real-world water, the researchers added a genetic amplifier to the E. coli. When the mercury bound with a protein called MerR, the meeting triggered the production of a polymerase that pushed the phenazine production pathway into overdrive. As a result, just 25 nanomoles of mercury — below the WHO safety limit — produced a readable current within three hours. The team also demonstrated an 'AND' logic gate inside E. coli, so that it produced a signal only when two specific molecules were present together. The team thus established a proof of concept of a living, electronically integrated biosensor capable of detecting compounds in its surroundings, processing the signals, and supplying data.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Time of India
Food safety officials urge caution while storing meat
1 2 Hyderabad: Nearly a fortnight after food poisoning claimed the life of an RTC employee after consuming stale meat during Bonalu celebrations at at Vanasthalipuram, a member of his family still continues to be under treatment. However, nine others from the same family, including four children, have recovered. According to health and food safety officials, the family consumed boti (goat intestines) that was stored in a refrigerator for over three days. Officials suspect the meat was not cleaned properly and might have contained faecal matter, which led to bacterial contamination, particularly 'Escherichia coli' (E coli). "There is a high demand for meat during Bonalu, and people store a lot of leftover meat. U by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo sually, at that time, meat is not cleaned properly before cooking," an official from DMHO, Rangareddy said. "In this case, cross-contamination and unhygienic handling is suspected to have caused the food to become unsafe," he added. While leftover food was already discarded before samples could be collected, officials were awaiting lab results from stool and blood samples to confirm source of contamination. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad GHMC food safety officer B Laxmikanth stressed the importance of proper meat storage. "If meat is cleaned thoroughly and stored under freezing conditions, it can last longer, like we do with green peas, sweet corn, and others," he said. "But storing raw or cooked meat in a regular fridge and consuming it after several days increases the risk of contamination. Bacteria multiply rapidly in improperly refrigerated meat for a long time," he added. Laxmikanth said while reheating food could kill some bacteria, it might not be effective for large meat pieces. "Only outer layers heat up, while the inside near the bone might harbour bacteria. This is why meat and meat products should be consumed as soon as possible." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
02-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pune scientists develop eco-friendly bacterial route to produce industrial pigment
Offering a green alternative to traditional chemical methods, scientists at the Agharkar Research Institute have pioneered a sustainable microbial route to produce cerium sulfide (Ce₂S₃), a vibrant rare earth pigment with wide industrial use - industrial coatings, ceramics, and energy efficient construction materials. This is the first recombinant microbial method for producing cerium sulfide using genetically-engineered bacteria under low-temperature, non-toxic and scalable conditions. (SOURCED) This is the first recombinant microbial method for producing cerium sulfide using genetically-engineered bacteria under low-temperature, non-toxic and scalable conditions. Traditionally, cerium sulfide production has required energy intensive chemical processes, involving temperatures as high as 1700°C and hazardous sulfur-based chemicals like hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) or carbon disulfide (CS₂). These methods are not only expensive but also environmentally and occupationally dangerous. Addressing this challenge, a research team led by microbiologist Prashant Dhakephalkar, with key contributions from Dr P P Kanekar, and researchers Sonal Shete and Neelam Kapse, developed an innovative microbial route by genetically modifying Escherichia coli (E. coli) to carry out the sulfate to sulfide conversion required for pigment formation. The team began with the isolation of a novel sulfate reducing bacterium, Pseudodesulfovibrio sp. MCM B-508, from oilfield wastewater. This native strain could convert cerium sulfate into cerium sulfide, but showed low efficiency due to its anaerobic growth requirements and slow cell proliferation. To overcome these limitations, researchers cloned the key dsrAB genes responsible for producing the enzyme, dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dSiR), into E. coli, a fast-growing, easily manipulated lab bacterium. To improve protein folding and solubility, the recombinant E. coli was also co-expressed with a molecular chaperone system (pGro7). The result was A 71.23% sulfate conversion efficiency, achieved under aerobic and low-temperature (55°C) conditions - a significant leap in microbial pigment production. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the pigment produced was predominantly in the gamma-phase of Ce₂S₃, the most desired form, for its intense red colour, heat stability, and non-toxic nature. This form is particularly suitable for automotive paints, powder coatings, and smart ceramics, where durability and non-toxicity are critical. The engineered E. coli could tolerate cerium sulfate concentrations up to 300 ppm and yielded 0.71 grams of pigment per gram of precursor, demonstrating both resilience and industrial feasibility. 'This is a major step towards replacing toxic, energy intensive processes with sustainable biomanufacturing. It aligns with global green chemistry goals and offers a viable alternative for industries looking to reduce their environmental footprint. This is the first time anyone has demonstrated microbial synthesis of cerium sulfide, using a recombinant system. The process replaces toxic chemicals with a clean, bio-based solution,' said Neelam Kapse. 'The implications are vast. This method could revolutionise the pigment industry and lead to greener alternatives in applications ranging from automotive paints to energy-efficient building coatings,'added Dhakephalkar. Unlike traditional sulfate-reducing bacteria that require strict anaerobic conditions and are difficult to scale, the recombinant E. coli system thrives under aerobic conditions and can be easily controlled in bioreactors. With the rising global demand for rare-earth materials and non-toxic pigments, this breakthrough places India at the forefront of synthetic biology and clean-tech innovation. The researchers are now focused on scaling the process and exploring industrial collaborations to bring this green technology to the market.
