Microbiology
Latest about Microbiology
![Animation shows a hair-like structure called a pili pushing a nanowire through the membrane of a bacterial cell](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8ZeYwTPXgkwDTwXMdURQqJ-320-80.gif)
Scientists discover on-off switch for bacteria that breathe electricity
By Nicoletta Lanese published
The discovery could have applications in electronics and medicine.
![close up of a cow eating grass in a field](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vPtxbz8re2uUyfBuZsF2b7-320-80.jpg)
Microbes in cow stomachs can help recycle plastic
By Nicoletta Lanese published
These bacteria usually eat natural polyesters, like those found in the outer coating of plant cells.
![Human breast cancer bone metastasis showing the newly discovered organelle (magenta) in cancer cells (cyan).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J5ewzx5VNfmzU7n2M7ZpPA-320-80.jpeg)
Meet the 'frodosome,' a brand new organelle
By Yasemin Saplakoglu published
The blob-like organelle drives bone metastasis, but likely also plays a role in the healthy functioning of the cell.
![Humidity from an indoor pool carried aerosolized microbes that sickened a teen boy.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uQaDnzX8So2TTzQZh69aVQ-320-80.jpg)
Teen contracts 'hot tub lung' from indoor swimming pool
By Mindy Weisberger published
Bacteria carried by humidity from a family's indoor swimming pool sent a teen boy to the emergency room with severe breathing difficulties.
![These Bacillus biofilms resemble embryos.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4REaMgu4eRHzVGb5d5AdA-320-80.jpg)
The very first forms of life may have been more animal-like than we ever realized
By Tessa Koumoundouros published
Early life may have been far more like animals than we thought, suggests new research that shows bacteria can 'develop' like an embryo.
![A 3D electon microscope image shows an infected macrophage (its cell surface is outlined in pink) with lipid droplets (green) near bacteria (blue).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4aQcVnYvEfq6o4dZgDyDzY-320-80.jpg)
The body fires 'blobs of fat' packed with toxic proteins to fight bacteria
By Yasemin Saplakoglu published
Scientists have known about these 'blobs of fat' for more than 130 years, but they're just understanding all the roles they play in the body.
![Bacteria Lactobacillus, 3D illustration.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RQFcwtLHpuS7bTpeQdQPFD-320-80.jpg)
Live Science podcast 'Life's Little Mysteries' Episode 49: Mysterious Bacteria
By Live Science Staff published
Single-cell microbes known as bacteria are simpler than most forms of life, yet they are still intriguingly complex.
![The electricity conducted by Geobacter's nanowires can be used to power small electronics, as this illustration shows.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SSikVHZW6wXBwsXGAfMAYP-320-80.jpg)
Scientists find 'secret molecule' that allows bacteria to exhale electricity
By Brandon Specktor published
Scientists found the 'secret molecule' that allows Geobacter microbes to exhale electrons over vast distances underground
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