genetics, microbiology

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.

The herpes virus hitches a ride to the nuclei of neurons from a surprising source.

Massive extrachromosomal elements named after the hive-minded cyborg villains in Star Trek may be the first of their kind.

A broad and nimble sequencing program is necessary to track, anticipate, and quash SARS-CoV-2 and other dangerous pathogens that threaten humanity.

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.

Rather than being described by the location of where they emerged or an alphanumeric code, variants will be given a Greek letter.

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.

Influenza RNA sequences from three sets of lungs preserved in formalin since 1918 provide new insights into the deadly pandemic.

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.

Brock’s discovery of a thermophile bacteria at Yellowstone National Park in 1966 eventually enabled the development of PCR.

The East Coast campus of the research institute received shipments of freeze-dried or frozen samples of more than 210,000 microbial strains, which scientists plan to mine for potentially useful natural products.

Neither the maternal microbiome nor housing conditions appear to permanently alter which microbes remain in the animals.

Extreme diets can alter the microbial makeup of the human GI tract, and change the behavior of those bacteria.

Overturning previous studies, a peculiar protozoan mysteriously uses a DNA-markup system to take out the genetic trash.   

Researchers probe the genetics of a group of bacteria known to extensively swap DNA sequences with other species—blurring the species boundaries.

Researchers reveal several new viruses lurking in healthy hives.