Articles in 2015

Two studies report the atomic structure of two bacterial type VI secretion systems and identify specific domains that are essential for their function.

Two studies report mechanistic details of how bacteria select and integrate viral DNA fragments into CRISPR loci to create immunological memory of past invaders.

This month's Genome Watch highlights how genome analysis can reveal insights into the adaptation ofPlasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivaxto human hosts.

Salmonella entericaserovars are human pathogens that are commonly used to study host–bacterium interaction mechanisms. In this Review, Bäumler and colleagues discuss how the innate immune system recognizes non-typhoidal and typhoidal serovars, and how specific virulence factors and changes in virulence gene regulation alter innate immune responses.

In this Review, Miller and colleagues discuss the arsenal of effector proteins that salmonellae use to manipulate their animal hosts, in addition to the host response to these infections. The authors also discuss the challenges ahead for unravelling the mechanistic details of effector function.

A new study shows that drug combination therapy results in fitness trade-offs inCandida albicans.

A new study shows that antisense long noncoding RNAs contribute tovar gene activation in Plasmodium falciparum.

Predicting the future global distribution of vector-borne diseases is a complex task that depends on the generation of accurate mathematical models. Here, Messina and colleagues compare and contrast the main approaches that have been used to predict the future distribution of dengue and propose a set of minimum criteria for future projections that, by analogy, are applicable to other vector-borne diseases.

The detection and subsequent analysis of low-abundance microbial populations — the 'rare biosphere' — have demonstrated the persistence, population dynamics, dispersion and predation of these microbial species. Lynch and Neufeld discuss the ecology of rare microbial populations and highlight molecular and computational methods for targeting taxonomic 'blind spots' in the rare biosphere of complex microbial communities.

Two studies reveal that herpes simplex virus 1 can suppress necroptosis of human cells via binding of the viral protein ICP6 to RIP1 and RIP3 kinases.

A new study identifies the mechanistic basis for host cell transformation byTheileriaspp. parasites.

Two studies describe the design of safer genetically modified organisms that cannot grow in natural ecosystems because they require synthetic amino acids for growth.

B cells are essential components of the immune response against infection. However, several bacteria, viruses and parasites are able to infect B cells and manipulate B cell functions and survival. Here, the authors review how pathogens use B cells as reservoirs, manipulate B cell differentiation and interfere with B cell survival, and they discuss the implications for ongoing immune responses.