bacteriology

Breaking Bad Chemicals With Bacterial Detoxifiers

India’s landfills are home to tiny environmental detoxifiers—bacteria that transform chemical wastes into harmless substances.

A Trojan Horse For Killing Drug-Resistant Microbes

By hijacking the heme acquisition system of bacteria, researchers in Japan have devised a method to kill microbes that are resistant to antibiotic treatment.

Mapping Out How A Superbug Harms Its Host

Researchers in Hong Kong have identified quorum sensing and secretion systems as some of the key elements of superbug virulence, paving the way for the development of novel antibiotics.

Viruses Supercharge Superbug Evolution

Viruses can transfer large chunks of bacterial genomes—including antibiotic resistance genes—among bacteria species.

Fixing Carbon Dioxide With Cyanobacteria

Japanese researchers have used genetic engineering to improve the conversion rate of carbon dioxide to succinate by cyanobacteria.

Generating Biofuel From Wheat Straw And Saw Dust

Using a natural bacterium isolated from mushroom crop residue, scientists have developed a way to directly convert plant-based material to butanol.

Mouth Bacteria Can Mess Up The Gut

Researchers in Japan have demonstrated that oral bacteria can colonize the gut and contribute to inflammatory bowel disease.

Beating Bad Bacteria In The Gut

Scientists in Japan have identified a molecule that stimulates the gut’s natural defences against harmful bacteria.

Bacteria Stops Malaria Parasites In Mosquito Gut

By genetically engineering a bacteria that lives in the digestive system of mosquitoes, scientists in China have devised a new strategy to control the spread of malaria.

Turning Predatory Bacteria Into ‘Living Antibiotics’

By manipulating the behavior of bacteria that feed on other bacteria, scientists in Japan are one step closer to developing a ‘living antibiotic’ that could be used to treat infections.