Engineered 'living materials' could help clean up water pollution one day

‘Living materials’ made with genetically engineered bacteria and Jell-O-like gel could make pollutants in water bodies nontoxic.

Debika Datta, Postdoctoral Scholar in Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego • conversation
Nov. 7, 2023 • ~6 min

Vampire viruses prey on other viruses to replicate themselves − and may hold the key to new antiviral therapies

Researchers discovered a satellite virus latching onto the neck of another virus called MindFlayer. Studying the viral arms race between similar viruses could lead to new ways to fight infections.

Ivan Erill, Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Nov. 3, 2023 • ~7 min

Can a ‘subway map’ reveal new Lyme disease treatments?

A new "subway map" of key metabolic activities of the bacterium that causes Lyme disease could help shed light on new drug targets.

Taraneh Pettinato-Tufts • futurity
Oct. 19, 2023 • ~6 min

How 10 different flours affect sourdough flavor

"...bakers can influence the aroma of their sourdough by using different flours, because those flours will foster different communities of bacteria."

Matt Shipman-NC State • futurity
Oct. 13, 2023 • ~6 min

Antibiotic shows promise in fighting deadly staph infections

An antibiotic that has shown effectiveness for bacterial pneumonia also appears successful in fighting methicillin-resistant staph infections.

Alexis Porter - Duke • futurity
Oct. 4, 2023 • ~4 min

Your microbes live on after you die − a microbiologist explains how your necrobiome recycles your body to nourish new life

With the help of the microbes that once played an essential role in keeping you alive, the building blocks of your body go on to become a part of other living things.

Jennifer DeBruyn, Professor of Environmental Microbiology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Sept. 28, 2023 • ~8 min

Flesh-eating bacteria infections are on the rise in the US − a microbiologist explains how to protect yourself

Warmer ocean waters are fueling the spread of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. Infections can lead to a rare but fatal condition called necrotizing fasciitis.

Bill Sullivan, Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University • conversation
Sept. 25, 2023 • ~6 min

Deadly hospital infection may have surprising origin

Deadly hospital infections caused by Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, may not result from transmission after all, researchers report.

Kelly Malcom-U. Michigan • futurity
Sept. 19, 2023 • ~6 min

Engineered microorganism breaks down plastic in salt water

A genetically engineered marine microorganism can break down plastic in salt water, researchers report.

Matt Shipman-NC State • futurity
Sept. 15, 2023 • ~6 min

Smart pill can track key biological markers in real-time

Coupling engineered bacteria with low-power electronics could be highly effective in diagnosis, treatment of bowel diseases.

Elizabeth A. Thomson | Materials Research Laboratory • mit
Sept. 8, 2023 • ~8 min

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