Microbiology
New study suggests bacteria help program metabolic development.
Cell-like compartments produce proteins and communicate with one another, similar to natural biological systems
Antibacterial clays could be the answer to superbugs.
Beckman Coulter, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR), announced today (July 16) that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the clinical microbiology business of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics.
Scientists identify protein in bacteria with essential role in survival
Some viruses can hide in our bodies for decades and make ‘fake’ human proteins that trick our immune cells into believing nothing is wrong. Now researchers at the Imaging Centre of Excellence at Monash and Melbourne Universities have determined the basic structure of one of the two known families of these deceptive proteins.
Bacteria are a pervasive and elusive bunch. Scientists estimate that between 10 million and 1 billion different microbial species populate the world, yet only a handful of them have so far been identified. Why? Because the overwhelming majority of microbes refuse to grow in the laboratory. This is despite decades of scientists’ best efforts at coaxing the microscopic organisms into action.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a widely distributed group of marine bacteria that produce compounds nearly identical to toxic man-made fire retardants.
A new laboratory technique developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists could speed the search for soybean plants with resistance to the fungus that causes Phomopsis seed decay (PSD) in the legume crop.
Much as human DNA can be used as evidence in criminal trials, genetic information about microorganisms can be analyzed to identify pathogens or other biological agents in the event of a suspicious disease outbreak. The tools and methods used to investigate such outbreaks belong to an emerging discipline known as microbial forensics, but the field faces substantial scientific and technical challenges, says a new report from the National Research Council.
White-bread lovers take heart. Scientists are now reporting that this much-maligned food seems to encourage the growth of some of our most helpful inhabitants — beneficial gut bacteria.
Scientists have discovered that bacteria can reshape their DNA to survive dehydration.
