Microbiology
The latest chemistry news and research on microbiology, including antimicrobial resistance, immunology, biotechnology and bioengineering, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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FeatureUnravelling the chemistry behind the sea’s bioluminescent sparkle
Researchers are piecing together the unusual chemical reactions that enable dinoflagellates to create spectacular light displays in tropical bays. But the mechanism behind their bioluminescence remains one of nature’s most puzzling chemical mysteries
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Research‘Living biosensor’ lights up to detect wine spoilage in real time
Genetically modified bacteria glow in high levels of acetic acid, a common signal that wine has gone bad
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ResearchRevived claims that antibiotics don’t kill bacteria with reactive oxygen prove controversial
Researchers say that multiple lines of evidence for hypothesis have now been undermined
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ResearchTraditional yoghurt recipe reveals ants’ fermentation power
Rebecca Trager meets a cross-disciplinary team investigating an ancient way to make yoghurt, which involved a trip to a tiny Bulgarian village
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OpinionThe molecular mechanisms behind cell cognition
Condensate formation is central to how budding yeast cells decide their response to environmental and internal conditions
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ResearchNew class of antifungals show potent effects against priority pathogens
Coniotins, found in another fungus, is effective against drug-resistant pathogenic fungi
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NewsScience retracts controversial ‘arsenic life’ paper 15 years after it was published
Contentious study continues to make waves as authors and researchers argue over whether action is proportionate and beneficial
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ResearchMembrane protein’s unique structure helps bacterial predator devour its rivals
Pentameric protein’s bowl-like shape allows it to ‘capture’ lipid molecules and disrupt cell membranes
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NewsExplainer: The chemistry of permastink and how to prevent it
How to avoid throwing out smelly polyester sportswear
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NewsFleming Fund closure threatens global efforts to fight antimicrobial resistance
Public health experts worry low- and middle-income countries will suffer from UK shutting programme
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ResearchDiscovery of ‘NO burst’ could help save world’s favourite banana from deadly fungus
Fungus found to flood host with nitric oxide to beat plants’ immune system
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ResearchMicrobial enzymes cut a path towards universal blood for transfusions
Slicing off glycans revealed new, previously unknown antigens that must be removed to produce O-type blood
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ResearchE. coli engineered to become methanol addict to make industry feedstocks
Bacterium could head off food versus fuel dilemma by producing chemicals from agricultural waste
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NewsTwo Canadian scientists were fired in 2021 for passing information to China
Details emerge in government documents leading to security being tightened at top level biosafety lab following breach
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ResearchHuman decomposition driven by unique community of microbes
Findings could help crime scene investigators determine time of death
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ResearchDNA-damaging device could make mutant discovery safer and simpler
Cool microplasma jets create a stream of radicals that induce mutations
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ResearchSynthetic yeast genome project creates strain with over 50% synthetic DNA
Entirely artificial organism opens up door to designer yeast with biotechnology applications
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ResearchACE2 receptor not essential for Sars-CoV-2 infection, study shows
Fresh understanding linked to evolutionary plasticity of Covid-19 virus
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FeatureThe drug developers fighting the antibiotic resistance problem
Andy Extance talks to the researchers innovating across different drug classes in the hunt to develop new treatments
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ResearchA force against fungi
With antifungal resistance on the rise, Leah Cowen’s lab wants to identify molecules that can capitalise on vulnerabilities in fungal pathogens