Research Highlights in 2014

Two new studies elucidate how K13-propeller mutations inPlasmodium falciparumconfer resistance to artemisinin.

A new study shows that, in addition to inhibiting penicillin-binding proteins, β-lactams induce peptidoglycan degradation, which enhances bacterial killing.

Bacteria in the gut that cross-react with malarial parasites can induce the production of protective natural antibodies.

Two studies now provide new insights into the positioning and membrane association of two components of theStreptococcus pneumoniaeZ ring, the tubulin-related GTPase FtsZ and the actin-related protein FtsA, respectively.

Two studies report that two distinct families of antibacterial genes have been transferred to, and are functional in, eukaryotic and archaeal hosts.

A new study identifies the two component system CrbRS as a new virulence factor inVibrio cholerae.

An enteric RNA virus can substitute for commensal bacteria and support immune maturation and intestinal homeostasis.

Ley and colleagues show that human genetic variation influences the composition of the gut microbiota, which affects health.

Pseudomonas aeruginosaforms biofilm-like cell aggregates on epithelial cells in a process that requires the pore-forming translocon of the type III secretion system (T3SS) but not the T3SS effectors.

Two new papers look at different ways in whichChlamydia trachomatisinteracts with the host cell cytoskeleton.

Reactive oxygen species induce a 'division of labour' in intracellularCryptococcus gattiipopulations, which promotes pathogenesis.

Two new studies provide insights into the structural rearrangements and dynamic conformational changes of the HIV-1 spike that facilitate viral entry.

Two studies report the use of a customizable Cas9 nuclease as an antimicrobial for sequence-specific killing of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Yogevet al. show that KSHV-encoded miRNAs induce the Warburg effect in latently infected cells and that it is important to maintain viral latency.

A new study shows how alternating antibiotics reduces the evolution of multidrug resistance.

A new study investigates the role of the human gut microbiota inVibrio cholerae infection and shows that Ruminococcus obeum decreases the expression of V. choleraevirulence factors to limit colonization.

A new study shows that a unique tetrameric form of c-di-GMP controls development inStreptomyces venezuelaeby mediating dimerization of a transcription factor.

A new study analyses the distribution of biosynthetic gene clusters in the human microbiome and finds a novel bacterial thiopeptide with antibacterial properties.

Andrew Camilli and colleagues provide the first evidence that phage predation drives genomic diversification ofV. cholerae in vivo.

Two studies identify two chromatin-associated proteins that regulate antigenic variation and sexual differentiation inPlasmodium falciparum.