Small Things Considered

Family Feud: Commensal vs. Pathogenic Neisseria

by Camille Brzechffa | Although several current research endeavors developing preventative measures focus on vaccines for N. gonorrhoeae, few have examined how resident bacteria of the human body can combat its colonization. Read more →

The Dead Sea Scrolls come under the Genomic ’Scope

by Elio | In this blog, we usually stick to mi­cro­bio­lo­gi­cal to­pics, but when one of bib­li­cal pro­por­tions comes along, we do not fight it. We are in fact plea­sed to con­si­der news about the Dead Sea Scrolls, the 1000 or so frag­ments of an­cient do­cu­ments found in ca­ves and else­where in the Ju­de­an De­sert. Their dis­co­ve­ry is thought to be... Read more →

TWiM 223: The smell of soil

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces in an ophthalmology examination room, the ability of stressed populations of Yersinia bacteria to survive antimicrobial treatment within host tissues, and how volatile organic chemicals produced by soil microbes attract arthropods which in turn disperse bacterial spores. Read more →

These Bacteria are Out of This World: Human Pathogens on the International Space Station

by Rachel Sidebottom | With the successful launch of the Crew Dragon by SpaceX, space exploration is once again in the American spotlight. Outside our planet, space is unconducive to life because of conditions created by cosmic radiation and microgravity. Read more →

Teacher's Corner: Long Before Fleming

by Roberto | Without any doubt, when we think about the early history of penicillin – and antibiotics in general – our minds are quickly drawn to a particularly momentous occasion. Read more →

TWiM 222: Biosensors in bacteria

Nano-sized parasitic bacteria that inhabit humans, and the construction of whole-cell biosensors for detecting arsenic in drinking water. Read more →

Protect Your Genes and Express Yourself

by Roberto | For any complex process to run efficiently, compartmentalization is essential. In my kitchen, results would be inedible if I did not have the information (recipes in my laptop) separate from the reactions (bowls, oven, etc.) and the cleaning (sink) and, importantly, ways to move the process of cooking from compartment to compartment. Read more →

Fine Reading: The Type VI Secretion System.

by Elio | Just like people, microbes communicate with their relatives either positively or negatively, helping each other out or inflicting damage in the process. Read more →

TWiM 221: Weapon of mucus destruction, WMD

A potential mucus-busting weapon for patients with cystic fibrosis, and bacteria in the intestinal tract that can oxidize cholesterol, leading to lower levels of the lipid in blood. Read more →

Wonders Of A Stagnant Pool

by Tuffen West (1823−1891)
After long confinement to the house, whether from ill­ness or an un­usu­al pres­sure of en­gage­ments, how de­light­ful to turn out for a stroll in the fresh pure air ! Un­heed­ed­whether it rain or shine, if a na­tu­ra­list of the true stamp, all around seems to wel­come him, and care and trouble for the time fly... Read more →