Transition metals occupy an essential niche in biological systems. Their electrostatic
properties stabilize substrates or reaction intermediates in the active sites of enzymes, and …

We review what is currently understood about how the structure of the primary solid
component of mucus, the glycoprotein mucin, gives rise to the mechanical and biochemical …

A slimy, hydrated mucus gel lines all wet epithelia in the human body, including the eyes,
lungs, and gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. Mucus forms the first line of defence while …

The skin constitutes the primary physical barrier between vertebrates and their external
environment. Characterization of skin microorganisms is essential for understanding how a …

Studies of plant–pathogen interactions have historically focused on simple models of
infection involving single host-single disease systems. However, plant infections often …

Enteric pathogens such as Salmonella enterica cause significant morbidity and mortality. S.
enterica serovars are a diverse group of pathogens that have evolved to survive in a wide …

Neutrophils are innate immune cells that counter pathogens by many mechanisms,
including release of antimicrobial proteins such as calprotectin to inhibit bacterial growth …

Our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis is dominated by the cell biology of the host–
pathogen interaction. However, the majority of metabolites that are used in prokaryotic and …

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes substantial mortality among children under 5-years-old
worldwide. Polysaccharide conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are highly effective at reducing …

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening disease that predominantly affects very
low birth weight preterm infants. Development of NEC in preterm infants is accompanied by …