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.
