Engineered yeast could expand biofuels’ reach
By making the microbes more tolerant to toxic byproducts, researchers show they can use a wider range of feedstocks, beyond corn.
Four researchers earn interdisciplinary Schmidt Science Fellowships
Selective global honor supports early-career scientists and engineers in taking on new pursuits.
A safer way to deploy bacteria as environmental sensors
Encapsulating modified bacteria in tough hydrogel spheres prevents them from spreading genes to other microbes.
How industrialized life remodels the microbiome
International study reveals gut bacteria from people in industrialized societies swap genes at much higher rates.
Synthetic mucus can mimic the real thing
An MIT team has created polymers that replicate the structure of mucins, the molecules that give mucus its unique antimicrobial properties.
MIT engineers make filters from tree branches to purify drinking water
Prototypes tested in India show promise as a low-cost, natural filtration option.
Eyeless roundworms sense color
C. elegans compares the ratio of wavelengths in its environment to avoid dangerous bacteria that secrete colorful toxins.
Metabolic mutations help bacteria resist drug treatment
Study suggests forcing bacteria to burn more energy could make them more susceptible to antibiotics.
A new tool to investigate bacteria behind hospital infections
Scalable CRISPRi system from SMART allows scientists to identify and tackle causes of E. faecalis-related diseases and drug resistance.
Geologists produce new timeline of Earth’s Paleozoic climate changes
The record shows ancient temperature variations coinciding with shifts in the planet’s biodiversity.
Our gut-brain connection
“Organs-on-a-chip” system sheds light on how bacteria in the human digestive tract may influence neurological diseases.
Model analyzes how viruses escape the immune system
Using this computational system, researchers can identify viral protein sequences that could make better vaccine targets.
Inspired by kombucha tea, engineers create “living materials”
A symbiotic culture of specialized yeast and bacteria can generate tough materials able to perform a variety of functions.
Scientists discover slimy microbes that may help keep coral reefs healthy
The bacteria scrub out nitrogen, potentially defending against certain nutrient overloads.
Turning microbiome research into a force for health
A diverse group of researchers is working to turn new discoveries about the trillions of microbes in the body into treatments for a range of diseases.