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Divine Aleru, Microbiome Signatures Research Coordinator

About

I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.

Recent Posts

2025-09-18 16:50:32

Cadmiun (Cd)

Overview and clinical relevanceCadmium (Cd) is a non-essential heavy metal toxin that has become ubiquitous in the environment due to industrial emissions and tobacco smoke.[1] Chronic low-level exposure (e.g., 30 μg Cd ingested per day via food) leads to bioaccumulation in the kidney, liver, and bone.[2] Clinically, Cd is a known carcinogen and nephrotoxin, but it […]

2025-09-15 21:16:59

Fecal microbiota transplantation: In perspective

Fecal microbiota transplantation (MT) has demonstrated high success in treating recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, with potential benefits for other gastrointestinal disorders, including BD, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. MT restores microbial diversity,

2025-09-15 21:08:29

The Role of Chelation in the Treatment of Arsenic and Mercury Poisoning

This review explores the role of chelation therapy in treating arsenic and mercury poisoning, focusing on the efficacy of AL, MPS, and MSA in acute cases and the challenges posed by chronic exposure. It discusses therapeutic benefits, limitations, and the need for further research.

2025-09-15 11:31:19

Stool as a novel biomarker for arsenic exposure through diet: a case-control study in a West Bengal population

What was studied?This study focused on evaluating arsenic exposure through diet by assessing stool samples in populations from West Bengal, India. Given that arsenic exposure via drinking water is well-documented, the researchers aimed to explore whether stool could serve as a reliable biomarker for arsenic exposure through the food chain, particularly in areas where groundwater […]

2025-09-15 11:12:16

Biomarkers of Exposure: A Case Study with Inorganic Arsenic

The study examines biomarkers of inorganic arsenic exposure in humans, focusing on the metabolism and toxicological effects of arsenic. Key findings include the importance of urinary arsenic measurements and the impact of genetic differences in arsenic metabolism.

2025-09-12 22:47:19

Health Effects of Chronic Arsenic Exposure

This study highlights the health effects of chronic arsenic exposure through drinking water, linking it to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. It emphasizes the need for monitoring arsenic levels and improving public health interventions.

2025-09-12 22:38:31

Assessing Acute and Chronic Risks of Human Exposure to Arsenic

This study assessed acute and chronic arsenic exposure in an Ethiopian population, finding significant health risks associated with contaminated groundwater and cigarette smoking. Biomarkers like urine and nail arsenic levels were key in understanding exposure.

2025-09-12 16:01:09

Role of Probiotics in the Management of Helicobacter pylori

This review examines the use of probiotics in managing H. pylori infection, emphasizing their role in enhancing eradication rates, reducing side effects, and restoring gastric microbiota balance. The findings highlight the potential of probiotics as adjuncts to conventional antibiotic therapy.

2025-09-11 12:46:04

Arsenic toxicity: Sources, pathophysiology and mechanism

This review examines arsenic toxicity, its pathways of exposure, and its harmful effects on human health, focusing on oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and epigenetic changes. It highlights the link between arsenic exposure and diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurotoxicity.

2025-09-11 07:22:33

Arsenic binding to human metallothionein-3

This study investigates how arsenic(II) binds to human metallothionein-3, revealing detailed binding kinetics and the role of T3 in arsenic detoxification. These findings have implications for understanding arsenic poisoning and potential therapeutic strategies.

2025-09-11 07:12:24

Arsenic Binding to Proteins

This review examines how arsenic binds to proteins, disrupting their function and contributing to toxicity and resistance mechanisms. It highlights key proteins like thioredoxin and pyruvate dehydrogenase and discusses implications for arsenic-related diseases and bioremediation strategies.

2025-09-10 15:03:25

An arsenic metallochaperone for an arsenic detoxification pump

The study explores how D, a metallochaperone, enhances A’s ability to expel arsenic from cells, improving arsenic detoxification. This interaction increases arsenic resistance in E. coli, with potential applications in bioremediation and combating arsenic poisoning.

2025-09-10 14:49:53

The ArsD As(III) metallochaperone

This study investigates the structural and biochemical role of D, a metallochaperone in E. coli, in enhancing arsenic detoxification by transferring II) to the A TPase, providing new insights into arsenic resistance mechanisms in bacteria.

2025-09-10 11:27:02

Introducing the ArsR-Regulated Arsenic Stimulon

This study explored the complex regulatory roles of R proteins in Agrobacterium tumefaciens 5A, showing they influence a broad range of cellular functions, including arsenic resistance, metabolism, and iron homeostasis.

2025-09-10 09:14:50

Distribution of Arsenic Resistance Genes in Prokaryotes

This review outlines the diversity, evolution, and distribution of arsenic resistance genes in prokaryotes, emphasizing their central role in the environmental microbiome, biogeochemical cycling, and potential clinical implications through gene transfer and resistance in pathogens.

2025-09-10 07:50:29

The Human Gut Microbiome’s Influence on Arsenic Toxicity

The human gut microbiome and arsenic toxicity are tightly linked: microbes change arsenic speciation and dose, while arsenic reshapes gut ecology, altering risk. Clinicians should integrate microbiome status, nutrition, antibiotics history, and speciation into assessment and management.

2025-09-08 12:12:51

Arsenic (As)

Arsenic can disrupt both human health and microbial ecosystems. Its impact on the gut microbiome can lead to dysbiosis, which has been linked to increased disease susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance. Arsenic’s ability to interfere with cellular processes, especially through its interaction with essential metals like phosphate and zinc, exacerbates these effects. By understanding how arsenic affects microbial communities and how these interactions contribute to disease, we can develop more effective interventions, including microbiome-targeted therapies and nutritional strategies, to mitigate its harmful effects.

2025-09-06 12:54:59

The Promise of Copper Ionophores as Antimicrobials

The promise of copper ionophores as antimicrobials rests on raising intracellular copper to disable core enzymes, restore antibiotic activity, and boost host killing, with clear microbial markers to track response.

2025-09-06 12:04:23

Zinc in Human Health and Infectious Diseases

This review maps zinc in human health and infectious diseases, linking host zinc control to pathogen survival, clinical trial signals, and simple gene and protein markers that explain microbiome shifts under zinc pressure.

2025-09-06 11:46:31

Current Biomedical Use of Copper Chelation Therapy

Current biomedical use of copper chelation therapy spans Wilson’s disease, cancer, lung fibrosis, diabetes, and neurodegeneration, with strongest support in Wilson’s disease and emerging roles in oncology and fibrosis, while neuro data remain limited.

2025-09-05 15:10:52

Undiagnosed Wilson’s Disease and Fibromyalgia Masking Bowel Perforation

This case study highlights the difficulty of diagnosing Wilson’s disease in a patient with psychiatric and gastrointestinal symptoms. It underscores the importance of considering Wilson’s disease when unexplained liver dysfunction and neurological symptoms are present, advocating for comprehensive diagnostic approaches.

2025-09-05 13:14:55

Influence of toxic metal exposure on the gut microbiota (Review)

This study investigates how copper supplementation affects gut microbiota and E. coli resistance in weaned piglets. It reveals that copper alters microbial composition and promotes antibiotic resistance, with potential implications for public health and animal agriculture.

2025-09-03 15:52:26

Role of Calprotectin in Withholding Zinc and Copper from Candida albicans

What was studied?This original study tested the Role of calprotectin in withholding zinc and copper from Candida albicans and defined when this host protein blocks metal nutrition to shape fungal survival. The authors asked if calprotectin (the A8/A9 complex) depletes bioavailable Zn and Cu around the fungus, how C. albicans adapts its metal uptake systems, […]

2025-09-03 12:12:54

Copper homeostasis in Enterococcus hirae

Copper homeostasis in Enterococcus hirae maps a four-gene circuit—A, B, Y, Z—and a reductase that set copper uptake and export, yielding clear genomic markers to predict copper tolerance and stress in gut and wound niches.

2025-09-02 21:56:50

The many “faces” of copper in medicine and treatment

This review explores copper’s essential roles in human health and its involvement in diseases like Wilson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. It highlights copper’s dual role in disease progression and therapeutic strategies for copper imbalances.

2025-09-02 21:27:48

Copper: Toxicological relevance and mechanisms.

This study highlights how Cu imbalance leads to oxidative stress and cellular toxicity, contributing to liver and neurological diseases. It emphasizes the need for tight Cu regulation and offers insights into potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for Cu-related disorders.

2025-09-02 21:21:04

Histatins: Salivary peptides with copper(II)- and zinc(II)-binding motifs

This study examines the copper-binding properties of Hist-5, a salivary peptide, and its role in combating Candida albicans infections. The findings highlight the critical role of copper ions in enhancing the peptide’s antimicrobial activity through specific metal-binding motifs.

2025-09-02 12:14:23

Copper at the Front Line of the Host-Pathogen Battle

This review explores the critical role of copper in microbial pathogenesis, focusing on how the host uses it as an antimicrobial weapon and how pathogens resist Cu toxicity. It suggests potential therapeutic avenues targeting Cu resistance mechanisms.

2025-09-02 11:22:19

Copper in microbial pathogenesis: Meddling with the metal

This review explores copper’s role in microbial pathogenesis, highlighting its use by hosts as an antimicrobial weapon and the resistance mechanisms developed by pathogens. It discusses copper’s involvement in immune defense and fungal virulence, offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies.

2025-09-02 10:38:56

Copper (Cu)

Copper serves as both a vital nutrient and a potential toxin, with its regulation having profound effects on microbial pathogenesis and immune responses. In the body, copper interacts with pathogens, either supporting essential enzyme functions or hindering microbial growth through its toxicity. The gastrointestinal tract, immune cells, and bloodstream are key sites where copper plays a crucial role in controlling infection and maintaining microbial balance. Understanding copper’s interactions with the microbiome and host defenses allows for targeted clinical strategies.

2025-08-29 13:44:58

Chelation in Metal Intoxication

This review discusses advancements in chelation therapy for treating metal toxicity, focusing on chelating agents, combination therapies, and antioxidants. Key findings highlight the effectiveness of ADMSA and the potential for improved treatments.

2025-08-28 12:53:57

Lead(II) Binding in Natural and Artificial Proteins

This review defines how lead binding in proteins drives host enzyme inhibition and signaling errors while microbial operons export and precipitate I), reshaping niche metal availability and competitive fitness.

2025-08-28 12:10:14

Deferoxamine B: A Natural, Excellent and Versatile Metal Chelator

A comprehensive review of Deferoxamine B metal chelator links siderophore chemistry, microbial uptake, and clinical chelation/imaging, highlighting speciation across metals—including I)—and implications for microbiome-related metal competition.

2025-08-28 09:42:50

Factors affecting the absorption and excretion of lead in the rat

An in vivo radiotracer study defines lead absorption and excretion in the rat: duodenal, bile-modulated uptake; competition with Ca; iron deficiency–enhanced absorption; erythrocyte transport; early renal–hepatic handling; biliary plus urinary clearance; and bone storage.

2025-08-28 08:59:40

Heavy metals: toxicity and human health effects

A mechanistic review links heavy metals and human health to dysbiosis via protein-binding competition, redox injury, epithelial leak, and PS-driven inflammation, outlining organ toxicity and clinical chelation strategies.