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DNA replication

Microbe somehow survives without key proteins for replicating its DNA

23 March 2021

A microbe called Carpediemonas membranifera lacks a key set of proteins thought essential for copying DNA, and therefore for reproduction


We can see evidence of the ancient Snowball Earth in bacterial DNA

We can see evidence of the ancient Snowball Earth in bacterial DNA

12 February 2021

The photosynthetic bacteria that thrive in warm ocean waters today nearly died out when the entire planet froze over 680 million years ago – and there is evidence of that frozen world in their DNA


Some types of bacteria help keep you healthy

Lack of protective vaginal bacteria linked to high ovarian cancer risk

9 July 2019

Women who are genetically at risk for ovarian cancer have lower levels of protective strains of bacteria, similar to women who have the disease


Bacteria can be used to turn type A blood into universal type O

Bacteria can be used to turn type A blood into universal type O

21 August 2018

A new family of enzymes found in the human gut has been used to quickly turn type A blood into type O - which can be used for transfusions in anyone


Your personal cloud of microbes can be used to identify you

Your personal cloud of microbes can be used to identify you

8 June 2018

When a person enters a house, they leave behind a unique set of microorganisms that could serve as a fingerprint – and it seems to be accurate enough to spot individual people


microbial growths

2018 preview: Thousands of mystery lifeforms to be revealed

19 December 2017

Bacteria and other microbes are all around us but we only know about 1 per cent of them. That is set to change, thanks to a technique called metagenomics


People in biosafety suits

It's too easy for bioterrorists to access dangerous research

14 September 2017

The systems designed to stop potentially risky research being published and used to make weapons of terror have “multiple shortcomings”, warns US report


York Gospel

DNA of long-dead cows read from pages of Medieval books

27 July 2017

Texts written in the Middle Ages are a rich source of information about the past – but the DNA in the animal skin pages has its own story to tell


E. coli colonies

Floating in microgravity gives bacteria permanent genetic boost

31 May 2017

Life in simulated zero gravity turns bacteria into reproductive powerhouses and may help them form tough colonies that could pose a risk to humans in space


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