by Elio — What is a microbial – specifically bacterial – species? I am writing a paper on this and would like some crossbearings from a specialist. John S. Wilkins, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Biohumanities Project University of Queensland: "Darwin's theory has no more to do with philosophy than any..." Read more →
« January 2007 | Main | March 2007 »
You Should Be in Films
by Elio — Scanning electron micrograph of a Staphylococcus biofilm on the inner surface of a needleless connector. I spent my career growing bacteria in liquid media. I wasn’t aware that my bacteria were planktonic, any more than the character in Moliere’s play Bourgeois Gentleman was conscious that he had been speaking... Read more →
Time Lapse Stink (from the Cornell Mushroom Blog)
by Elio — A most exciting blog on mushrooms is in the competent hands of Cornell biology students and their advisor, Kathie Hodge. By Kathie's permission, I present an article from that blog. Do not miss the video clip. Time Lapse Stink Here's something I know you've all been dying to see... Read more →
Everybody Is Always Talking About the Weather...
by Elio
…but bacteria are actually doing something about it. For starters, we realize that bacteria play an important role in the climate of this planet. Microbes were the original source of all atmospheric oxygen; they are active in the nitrogen cycle and in producing and removing carbon dioxide. As we are...
Read more →
Could We Have Started Out as Magnetotactic Bacteria?
by Elio — There are bacteria that have small magnets within them. Magnetotactic bacteria. The magnets consist of iron-containing crystals lined up in a row along the long axis of the cells, which endows the cells with the equivalent of a magnetic needle. These bacteria thus can sense the earth’s magnetic field, which... Read more →
Talmudic Question #7
Despite recent findings that some archaea may participate in oral disease, the question about their general absence from the Pantheon of Pathogens is still around. Any new ideas as... Read more →