Cleaning up toxic waste: directed evolution vs. designed machines
Some heavy metals are required in trace amounts for the survival of living organisms, however at higher concentrations these metals can be incredibly toxic.
Exploring the life and times of bacteria
Some heavy metals are required in trace amounts for the survival of living organisms, however at higher concentrations these metals can be incredibly toxic.
In order to isolate, study and efficiently treat a bacterial outbreak, it is vital to be able to grow, store and identify the particular strains of bacteria that cause the disease.
Given that they occupy every other niche on earth, including deep sea vents, salt flats and the interior of human bodies, it should come as no surprise that bacteria are also found in human houses.
If anyone is around in London over the weekend, there's an awesome looking summer science exhibition at the Royal Society focusing on bacterial signal transduction: how bacteria work together to sense and respond to their environment.
Bacteria may be single celled organisms but they very rarely exist as single cells on their own. Instead, bacteria form colonies made up of many cells, all growing and dividing together.
Migrating animals are always impressive to watch. The ability to cover huge areas of land in massive groups can be a beneficial strategy for many animals; whether birds, mammals or shoals of fish.
From the point of view of an intracellular bacteria, the human body really is no more than just a habitat in which they must grow and thrive. While this particular habitat might have stable internal conditions, and less competition than the big open world, it has its disadvantages in continuous attacks from the immune system, and the lack of usable nutrients.
It has been a while since I've last posted. Usually I try not to give excuses for lateness, but this time I do have a very good one.I'm currently 15 and a half weeks pregnant!In the UK there is a fairly good and well thought-out system to make sure pregnant women get all the necessary checks and scans.
Welcome to the 56th edition of the Carnival of Evolution.I haven't been on holiday for a while, so for this issue I thought I'd take a trip around the world, looking in on all the exciting research and work being done in the field of evolution.
Although it usually only gets talked about when it starts causing problems, cholesterol is an important molecule to have in the body, as it is a component of cell membranes.