Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Filtered by: Microbiology
“Effective interactions” shape the evolution of drug resistance (and much more)
In a new study, we examine how global epistasis—where gene-gene interactions follow a tractable pattern—is shaped by the environment, and defines how drug resistance evolves in malaria. This may allow us to better predict and control adaptive evolution at the molecular level.
An unconventional vaccination strategy against influenza viruses from humans and swine
Influenza is not a single virus, but a collection of subtypes broken down into many different strains. Ordinary flu vaccines can only protect against a small proportion of these. Here, we obtained a surprisingly broad protection by sequential vaccination of pigs with highly diverse “H1N1” strains.
Unveiling Earth's Ancient Mysteries: The Astonishing Rhynie Chert Fossils
We invite you to imagine a world over 400 million years ago, a time when Life on Earth was vastly different from what we know today. The Rhynie Chert, an iconic geological site in Scotland, offers a captivating glimpse into this distant past, holding secrets of an ancient terrestrial environment.
To inoculate or not to inoculate? Predicting crop yield increases after microbiome engineering with mycorrhizal fungi
Microbiome engineering has large potential for sustainable agriculture. Here we demonstrate that field inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can promote crop yield and inoculations success can be predicted using soil microbiome indicators.
Tracking microbial life in the hydrothermally influenced deep subsurface of Guaymas Basin
Microbial life in the deep subsurface redefines the limits of life in the face of energy limitation and heat stress. Who survives deep down, and how? A deep-drilling expedition to hydrothermal Guaymas Basin is exploring these questions from multiple angles.
