In 1988, Günter Wäschterhäuser proposed a new theory to explain the origin of life: the theory of surface metabolism (Wäschterhäuser 1988). This theory, also known as “the iron-sulphur world”, states that the chemical reactions directed by the reducing power of iron-sulphur (Fe-S)/H2S were responsible for the catalytic events that led to the first biopolymer structures. One possible remnant of this Fe-S world is the set of Fe-S clusters present in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins (Beinert 2000). Fe-S clusters participate in a wide range of molecular and biochemical reactions that bacteria rely on to control important aspects of their metabolism…

Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, the leader and centenary full open access journal of Parasitology, Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases in Latin America, is launching a new section for rapid scientific communication: Genome announcement and Highlights. This section is dedicated to publish new genome information from eukaryote parasites, virus, bacteria and vectors. Authors who wants a fast peer review and publication cycle for their research results covering new genome sequences, re-sequencing and comparative genome analysis as well as the expression pattern of genomes are invited to submitted papers under the short communication format. All submissions will immediately be checked out…

Trypanosomatids are recognised as one of the most ubiquitous groups of protozoa on Earth. Most, if not all, vertebrate and invertebrate organisms could potentially be infected by a member of the Trypanosomatidae family. Three articles published in Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz  (Cutolo et al. 2014, Samy et al. 2014, Soares et al. 2014) contributed novel information on the extensive thread of the connections established by the trypanosomatids that are the most important in public health, the members of the genus, Leishmania. Some species of Leishmania are responsible for visceral leishmaniasis (e. g., Leishmania donovani, Leishmania infantum) or cutaneous leishmaniasis…

This current issue of Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz presents the results of collaborative work by research groups at the University of Sao Paulo (USP), Federal Univ of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO). These results show how the fungus Fusarium oxysporum might be deployed to generate silver nitrate nanoparticles at higher rates (Ishida et al. 2014). This Fusarium species is an important plant pathogen that is capable of infecting many plant species, including those with agricultural relevance such as tomato, banana, cotton and oil palm (Michielse & Rep, 2009 ). Fusarium…

It has a new look, but much importantly, new functionalities. You will notice a number of changes to the website. We upgraded to a new layout aiming to provide a more seamless online familiarity and improve site navigation in several key areas. You will find this site packed with essential information and helpful hints to make your manuscript submission as quickly and as smoothly as possible. MEMORIAS is an international free and open-access journal publishing original research from throughout the world all over the fields of tropical medicine, medical parasitology and microbiology. We particularly welcome basic and applied original research…