Surviving one of Earth’s most extreme environments
New research finds a unique component of cell membranes in an archaea species conveys protection against acidic surroundings.
Tracking the footprints of protein synthesis
Researchers refine a method to quantify protein production, show that the precision with which bacteria and eukaryotes tune their gene expression is remarkably similar.
MIT engineers repurpose wasp venom as an antibiotic drug
Altered peptides from a South American wasp’s venom can kill bacteria but are nontoxic to human cells.
Bursting bubbles launch bacteria from water to air
Study illuminates new mode of bacteria dispersal.
Chemical synthesis could produce more potent antibiotics
Simple method for linking molecules could help overcome drug resistant infections.
Studying the hotbed of horizontal gene transfers
Global Microbiome Conservancy research reveals surprising new insights into human gut microbiomes.
Detangling DNA replication
Researchers identify an essential protein that helps enzymes relax overtwisted DNA so each strand can be copied during cell division.
![“If you have a problem, and you look into the problem in nature and see how animals or plants deal with these kinds of problems and extract those design principles, you can try to replicate [them] using engineering approaches,” saysZijay Tang, a PhD candidate in MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering.](/sites/default/files/styles/term_page__news_article/public/images/201809/MIT-Tang-01.jpg?itok=cCVJRVTZ)
Inspired by nature, reaching across disciplines
PhD student Zijay Tang is developing a living material that can sense and filter water contaminants.
Even on standardized diet, gut flora change from day to day
Despite a single, unchanging food source in the form of a liquid meal replacement shake, bacteria in the gut are unpredictable, researchers find.
Study suggests glaucoma may be an autoimmune disease
Unexpected findings show that the body’s own immune system destroys retinal cells.
MIT engineers recruit microbes to help fight cholera
Probiotic bacteria can diagnose, prevent, and treat infections.
Ingestible “bacteria on a chip” could help diagnose disease
Ultra-low-power sensors carrying genetically engineered bacteria can detect gastric bleeding.
New theory describes intricacies of a splashing droplet
Findings may help track movement of pesticides and biological contaminants.
Artificial antimicrobial peptides could help overcome drug-resistant bacteria
With aid of computer algorithm, researchers develop peptides more powerful than those found in nature.
With The Herman Project, home bakers become citizen scientists
Network tracks the evolution of microbial communities in sourdough starter mixtures shared around the world.