Small Things Considered

Minicells on Target

by Elio  
The gold ring everyone in cancer chemotherapy is reaching for is the ability to selectively kill cancer cells without da­maging normal ones. Easier said than done. So far, clever attempts at delivering potent drugs straight to the cancer cells using techniques such as... Read more →

Talmudic Question #20

If viruses did not exist, could anyone have conjured them up? Read more →

Bacteria and the Single Auklet

by Elio  
Crested Auklets are arctic seabirds that use smell for social functions. This wouldn't exactly be news for any other group of animals, but it is a first for birds ─ those feathered creatures which can both smell and be smelly. These particular monogamous birds... Read more →

Comments on Bacterial Mitosis: What's Taking So Long?

by Merry & Elio  
This mini-essay garnered some particularly insightful and provocative comments. We think they deserve their own posting. We hope the discussion continues. Read more →

Microblogology

by Elio  
Last May, a group of microbiologically-oriented bloggers were interviewed by Chris Condayan of the American Society for Microbiology's MicrobeWorld. This video ("Microblogology") features John Logsdon, Jonathan Badger, Yersinia, Larry Moran, Tara Smith, and myself. We talk about... Read more →

Pseudomonas aeruginosa : Versatile Pathogen and Drug Addict?

by Elio  
Pseudomonas aeruginosa  is the most versatile of all known pathogens. Few if any bacteria can match its metabolic versatility and the breadth of its host range ─ from plants to humans. This species is a paradigm of an opportunistic pathogen of humans, being nearly ubiquitous in our habitats but not usually causing... Read more →

Talmudic Question #19

You are stranded on a desert island. During a walk on the beach, you stub your toe against a bottle, which rolls against a rock and breaks. A genie is liberated, eager to grant you one wish. You ask for a... Read more →

An Update on Mitochondria and Their Invaders

by Elio  
There is more to the bacterial invasion of mitochondria than we had known. Previously, we divulged that bacteria can be found within the mitochondria of certain Italian cockroaches, an unusual form of parasitism if there ever was one. Erin Banning of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole told us... Read more →

Tetracycline: Assassin, Aphrodisiac, Agent Provocateur, Choreographer

by Merry Youle  
When first used clinically, tetracycline was effective against members of the genus Bacteroides, gram-negative anaerobes that make up 20-30% of our colonic bacterial population. Though usually well-behaved, Bacteroides are opportunistic pathogens capable of causing life-threatening infections if the colon is perforated. Now, virtually all Bacteroides clinical isolates are... Read more →