by Mechas and Roberto — This is the story of how pursuing a century-old observation led to the recent discovery the chemical ecology involved in protecting a beetle from fungal infection during larval molting. It shall come as no surprise that we would be thrilled by such a story; throughout the lifetime of the blog, we've had posts on insect-microbe symbioses... Read more →
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Molecular Fossils of Microbial Interactions
by Einat Segev — Microbes have inhabited our planet for many millions of years. While thriving and dying in almost every niche on Earth, microbes leave behind relics, and some of these relics remain preserved in the geological record. Many cell components are rapidly degraded and do not persist but remains that do are like archives of ancient microbial life. Read more →
A New Look and Other Changes
by Roberto — What were you doing seventeen years ago, in 2006? I have a tough time recalling my own actions then, but I sure can tell you what Elio did that year. With his energy, enthusiasm, and relentless itch for writing (along with support from ASM, namely Chris Condayan) he gave birth to this blog. Read more →
Christopher T. Walsh (1944–2023)
by Roberto — Last week, my enthusiastic feelings for the beginning of the new year were greatly dampened when I received the news of Chris Walsh's untimely death, the consequence of a fall. Many of us fortunate enough to have known and interacted with him for many years are still processing... Read more →
The Who-Ate-Whom of Terms in Biology: Virovory
by Christoph — Like with the customary New Year's Eve fireworks, every year we biologists are blessed with hitherto unknown or largely uncommon scientific terms. Some stick, others blaze away like said fireworks. How would you guess the term "virovory," which was added to Wikipedia on 29 December 2022, will fare? Read more →