WSU researchers may have found treatment for stubborn bacterial infections
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 8 months AGO
PULLMAN — Washington State University researchers may have found a way to trick bacteria into sending messages that make it easier to kill them, according to a WSU press release.
“The discovery could someday be harnessed as an alternative to antibiotics for treating difficult infections,” the press release said.
Mawra Gamal Saad, WSU graduate student and first author on a paper describing the discovery, said bacterial cells are adaptable and can use their adaptive skills to resist antibiotics.
“Adding the death extracellular vesicles to the bacterial environment, we are kind of cheating the bacteria cells,” Saad said. “The cells don’t know which type of EV they are, but they take them up because they are used to taking them from their environment. And with that, the physiological signals inside the cells change from growth to death.”
“The vesicles shuttle molecules from the cells, entering and then reprogramming neighboring cells and acting as a cell-to-cell communications system,” the release said.
Initially, the vesicles are told to grow, and eventually to stop. Researchers determined how to tell the vesicles to stop, which then killed the cells.
“By cheating the bacteria with these death EVs, we can control their behavior without giving them the chance to develop resistance,” Saad said.
Saad and corresponding author Wen-Ji Dong, a WSU professor, have applied for funding to continue their research, the press release said.
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Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.