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Illustration of microbes in gut
Fungal DNA, Cells Found in Human Tumors
It’s not clear whether, or how, the organisms might play a role in disease pathology.
Fungal DNA, Cells Found in Human Tumors
Fungal DNA, Cells Found in Human Tumors

It’s not clear whether, or how, the organisms might play a role in disease pathology.

It’s not clear whether, or how, the organisms might play a role in disease pathology.

genetics & genomics, microbiology

a vial of cobra venom and a bacteri-covered agar plate
Study Questions Sterility of Snake and Spider Venoms
Christie Wilcox, PhD | Jan 31, 2022 | 8 min read
In work that has not yet been peer-reviewed, researchers present evidence that microbes can and do live inside the venom glands of several dangerous species. It remains unclear whether they’re to blame for infections linked to bites.
Spores of Fusarium xylarioides
Researchers Resurrect Coffee-Destroying Fungus—to Study It
Chloe Tenn | Jan 4, 2022 | 4 min read
Comparing the genomes of modern pathogens with those of cryopreserved strains from several decades ago shed light on the evolution of coffee wilt disease outbreaks in Africa.
photo of marshy wetland in california at sunset
Researchers Find DNA “Borgs” in Methane-Chomping Archaea
Annie Melchor | Jul 20, 2021 | 3 min read
Massive extrachromosomal elements named after the hive-minded cyborg villains in Star Trek may be the first of their kind.
A vial containing a red blood sample is balanced on its end on a table or desk by someone wearing a blue medical glove on their right hand
New Evidence Shows COVID-19 Was in US Weeks Before Thought
Abby Olena, PhD | Jun 17, 2021 | 4 min read
Some of the blood specimens collected in the United States for the NIH’s All of Us research program starting on January 2, 2020, have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
an illustration of the sars-cov-2 spike protein in purple tethered to the viral membrane in dark gray
Spike Protein Deletions Linked to COVID-19 Surges: Preprint
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Jun 15, 2021 | 4 min read
Researchers find that surges in COVID-19 case numbers are associated with deletions in the SARS-CoV-2 genome in an antigenic site of the spike protein. Some of these mutations are present in vaccine breakthrough infections or reinfections.
streaks of white bacterial colonies on a blue Petri dish
Many Bacteria and Archaea Promoters Work Forward and Backward
Jack J. Lee | May 28, 2021 | 4 min read
New analyses find that divergent transcription, in which one promoter directs the expression of two adjacent genes oriented in opposite directions, is conserved across all domains of life.
Woman holding a CDC COVID-19 vaccination card with both hands.
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Appear Effective Against Multiple Variants
Lisa Winter | May 6, 2021 | 2 min read
Data from three studies indicate that fully vaccinated patients are able to stave off severe disease from the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variants.
coronavirus particles in a variety of colors with a world map in background
What Scientists Know About the B.1.617 Coronavirus Variant
Shawna Williams | May 3, 2021 | 2 min read
While some experts speculate the variant could be partially responsible for India’s current surge in SARS-CoV-2 infections, information about the effects of its mutations is only beginning to emerge.
An illustration of an orange bacteriophage virus sitting on top of a green bacterium
Some Viruses Use an Alternative Genetic Alphabet
Abby Olena, PhD | Apr 29, 2021 | 4 min read
In a trio of studies, researchers follow up on a 40-year-old finding that certain bacteriophages replace adenine with so-called diaminopurine, perhaps to avoid host degradation.
Gene Exchange Among Gut Bacteria Is Linked to Industrialization
Catherine Offord | Mar 31, 2021 | 5 min read
A study of human populations around the world detects differing rates of horizontal gene transfer in the microbiome depending on what kind of society those people live in.
Q&A: Data Gaps Hinder Monitoring of SARS-COV-2 Variants
Jef Akst | Mar 24, 2021 | 6 min read
Martha Nelson of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases talks about the need to balance data sharing and patient privacy concerns when tracking the spread of variants.
UPDATED
Ebola, virus, Guinea, West Africa, outbreak
Ebola Outbreak in Guinea Originated from Past Epidemic
Asher Jones | Mar 15, 2021 | 2 min read
Genetic analyses suggest that the virus came from a patient who survived the 2013–2016 West African outbreak.
Interim Report on Origin of SARS-CoV-2 Scrapped by WHO
Lisa Winter | Mar 5, 2021 | 2 min read
Instead, the full report will be available in mid-March.
Variant Found in Brazil Could Evade Immunity from Past Infection
Lisa Winter | Mar 2, 2021 | 2 min read
The P.1 variant, which has also been detected in five US states, could be responsible for cases of reinfection, according to a preprint.
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, pandemic, virus, B.1.1.7, B.1.525, variant, UK
Another Potentially Immunity-Evading SARS-CoV-2 Variant Detected
Asher Jones | Feb 16, 2021 | 2 min read
B.1.525 shares a mutation with the B.1.351 variant first detected in South Africa that seems to allow the virus to dodge the immune system.
Are Phages Overlooked Mediators of Health and Disease?
Catherine Offord | Feb 1, 2021 | 10+ min read
Bacteria-infecting viruses affect the composition and behavior of microbes in the mammalian gut—and perhaps influence human biology.
Infographic: Trans-kingdom Interactions in the Gut
Catherine Offord | Feb 1, 2021 | 1 min read
Phages interact with bacteria and eukaryotic cells in ways that researchers suspect influence mammalian health.
Retrons Help Bacteria Defend Themselves from Phages: Study
Catherine Offord | Feb 1, 2021 | 2 min read
The mysterious DNA sequences appear to help bacterial cells spot when they’ve been infected with viruses—and prompt those cells to self-destruct.
nextstrain sars-cov-2 variant tracking covid-19 coronavirus pandemic n510y 501Y.V2 b.1.1.7 B.1.351 e484k k417n p.1 virology
Side-by-Side Comparisons of Important SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Katarina Zimmer | Jan 26, 2021 | 3 min read
Here’s our brief guide to the most noteworthy mutations in the novel coronavirus.
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