microbiology, evolution

The protist Rhodelphis limneticus bears little resemblance to its close genetic relative, red algae.

The study of evolution requires consideration of organisms’ microbiomes.

The blue lagoons of the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin provide a glimpse into the planet’s ancient past.

When different archaeal species mate, their CRISPR systems interact in ways that may influence their evolution.

We should take comfort in the fact that life on Earth had such unassuming, shared beginnings.

Identification of new archaea species elucidates the domain’s unique  biology and sheds light on its relationship to eukaryotes.

The discovery of copious new archaeal species is shedding light on the tree of life and revealing some unique cellular biology.

Rather than getting a gene for its original function, a horizontal gene transfer provides the raw material for evolutionary innovation.

Drug-free environments, such as a designated ward in a hospital, might reduce the strength of selection for resistance.

A device dubbed the “mother machine” enables real-time observation of mutagenesis in single bacterial cells.  

Embedded within 3.95-billion-year-old rock, scientists have found graphite with a carbon signature that indicates biological activity.

Two previously overlooked archaeal strains fill an evolutionary gap for microbes.

As E. coli bacteria spread over increasingly concentrated antibiotics, researchers discover novel evolutionary pathways that confer resistance.

Scientists generate new protein-protein interactions at an impressive PACE.

A bacteriophage must evolve certain variants of a protein or die.

An experimental evolution study shows that more cheaters arise when bread mold fungal cells are less related to one another.

The Scientist reviews Serendipity, Complexity, The Human Superorgasism, and Love and Ruin

By tweaking certain conditions of a long-running experiment on E. coli, scientists found that some bacteria could be prompted to express a mutant phenotype sooner, without the “generation of new genetic information.” The resulting debate—whether the data support evolutionary theory—is more about semantics than science.

Understanding the biological roots of cooperation might help resolve some of the biggest scientific challenges we face.

By horizontal gene transfer, an antibacterial gene family has dispersed to a plant, an insect, several fungi, and an archaeon.