MIT engineers devise technology to prevent fouling in photobioreactors for CO2 capture
Applying a small voltage to the walls of algae growing tanks can prevent cloudy buildup and allow more photosynthesis to happen.
Scientists track evolution of microbes on the skin’s surface
A new analysis reveals how Staphylococcus aureus gains mutations that allow it to colonize eczema patches.
Searching across deep time to understand “ecogenesis”
Geobiologist Greg Fournier seeks to uncover the conditions leading to the emergence of life.
Scientists discover a new way of sharing genetic information in a common ocean microbe
Prochlorococcus, the world’s most abundant photosynthetic organism, reveals a gene-transfer mechanism that may be key to its abundance and diversity.
Molecules found in mucus could prevent cholera infection
Harnessing these protective molecules may offer a new way to treat the disease, which spreads through contaminated water.
In search of the principles of life
Associate Professor Otto Cordero is looking for the fundamental constraints that shape microbial ecosystems.
Ocean microbes get their diet through a surprising mix of sources, study finds
Up to one-third of the carbon consumed by Prochlorococcus may come from sources other than photosynthesis.
What drives ecosystems to instability?
With only a little information, researchers can predict the circumstances under which an ecosystem will be stable or unstable.
Small eddies play a big role in feeding ocean microbes
Swirling waters replenish nutrients in open ocean, a new study finds, and could mitigate some climate change effects.
Assay determines the percentage of Omicron, other variants in Covid wastewater
Developed by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, the assay can provide new details about the type of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in a community.
MIT scientists discover new antiviral defense system in bacteria
Prokaryotes can detect hallmark viral proteins and trigger cell death through a process seen across all domains of life.
Scientists identify a plant molecule that sops up iron-rich heme
The peptide is used by legumes to control nitrogen-fixing bacteria; it may also offer leads for treating patients with too much heme in their blood.
Better living through multicellular life cycles
Researchers reveal how an algae-eating bacterium solves an environmental engineering challenge.
Researchers pioneer a new way to detect microbial contamination in cell cultures
An anomaly-detection model developed by SMART utilizes machine learning to quickly detect microbial contamination.
Could used beer yeast be the solution to heavy metal contamination in water?
A study shows that yeast, an abundant waste product from breweries, can filter out even trace amounts of lead.