Why are obligate endosymbionts of insects (for example, Buchnera ) more often mutualistic but those of vertebrates (for example, Rickettsia ) more often parasitic?
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Talmudic Question #160
Talmudic Question #159
Where on Earth would you expect to find the most varied microbiome (in terms of different taxa per gram) ?
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Talmudic Question #158
The genie has returned yet again. (He already visited once back in 2007.) On a moonlit night, you walk on the beach, stub your toe against a bottle, which conveniently rolls against a rock and shatters. A genie emerges, eager to grant you one wish. You ask for a microbiological laboratory. The genie grants you that, and tells you that you... Read more →
Talmudic Question #157
by Jacob Bobonis
Is there is such a thing as a taxon-characteristic pathway/feature that cannot be transferred in bacteria?
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Talmudic Question #155 ...and #156
Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, is the only organism known to survive in an acidic lysosome of its host cells. Why haven’t other intracellular bacteria developed this skill? If that's old hat for you, look at Talmudic Question #156 by Samantha Kwah...
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Talmudic Question #154
Mycorrhizal fungi are known to carry out many activities beneficial to plants, such as transporting water and nutrients, protecting against pathogens, and permitting communication between plants. Do they also carry pathogens such as viruses or bacteria? If no, why not?
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Talmudic Question #153
Take a 1000 year old sequoia tree. What genetic difference would you expect to find if you analyzed the various branches?
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Talmudic Question #152
With the widespread use of alcohol-based disinfectants (hand dispensers seem to be all over), can you conceive of a bacterium becoming resistant other than by making spores?
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Talmudic Question #151
Should a cellular life form be found outside our planet, would you guess it would look more like a coccus or a rod?
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Talmudic Question #150
Apparently, the total weight of Bacteria on Earth exceeds that of Archaea. How come? Read more →
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Moselio (Elio) Schaechter & Roberto Kolter
The purpose of this blog is to share our appreciation for the width and depth of the microbial activities on this planet. We will emphasize the unusual and the unexpected phenomena for which we have a special fascination... (more)
Associate Bloggers
Daniel, Jamie, Christoph, Scott, & Janie
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Bloggers Emeriti
Merry Youle
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In Memoriam
S. Marvin Friedman
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