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Illustration of a mosquito ingesting blood with bright green circles representing parasites entering its abdomen with the blood. A depiction of a white blood clot with red blood cells makes up the background.
Targeting Mosquito Spit Could Stop Parasites in Their Tracks
A protein found in the saliva of Anopheles gambiae stopped blood from clotting in the insects’ stomachs and aided parasite transmission.
Targeting Mosquito Spit Could Stop Parasites in Their Tracks
Targeting Mosquito Spit Could Stop Parasites in Their Tracks

A protein found in the saliva of Anopheles gambiae stopped blood from clotting in the insects’ stomachs and aided parasite transmission.

A protein found in the saliva of Anopheles gambiae stopped blood from clotting in the insects’ stomachs and aided parasite transmission.

Microbiology

Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria expressing pili.
Building Bacterial Drug Factories
Aparna Nathan, PhD | Dec 30, 2024 | 3 min read
Drug-manufacturing bacteria can provide a more targeted approach to treat gut diseases.
Image of Streptomyces coelicolor (center), which produces the blue antibiotic actinorhodin, inhibiting the growth of yellow Myxoccous xanthus colonies (periphery).
The Art of Biofilm Photography: From Petri Dish to Portrait
Laura Tran, PhD | Dec 17, 2024 | 4 min read
A microbiologist blends science and art to bring biofilms to life. His work, showcased in museums and books, captivates scientists and curious minds alike.
Photograph of fermenters in a biorefinery in Brazil that produce bioethanol.
Not All Bacteria are Bad in Biofuel Production
Shelby Bradford, PhD | Dec 16, 2024 | 2 min read
Long seen as collective contaminants, some bacterial species actually promote bioethanol production.
Illustration of a blue piece of DNA with a red segment in its middle on a purple background. Blue and red segments that have been cut out surround the larger strand.
Splicing Fungal Genes Help Cells Change Shape
Shelby Bradford, PhD | Dec 16, 2024 | 2 min read
Candida albicans uses alternative splicing to morph into a filamentous form during fevers.
Brightfield microscopy image of Aspergillus fumigatus.
The Silent Pandemic of Antifungal Resistance
Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Dec 16, 2024 | 2 min read
As the world grapples with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, another insidious threat looms large: drug-resistant fungi.
3D rendered illustration of bacteriophages.
Bacteria Disarm Phages by Disrupting Their Tail Assembly
Andrea Lius | Dec 13, 2024 | 4 min read
Attachment of a bacterial protein to the tips of phage tails produces non-infectious, tailless phages.
TK
How to Get Away from the Immune System
Mariella Bodemeier Loayza Careaga, PhD | Dec 13, 2024 | 3 min read
From manipulating host molecules to concealing their presence in the host’s body, microbes employ a wide range of tactics to dodge immune detection.
Image of Anne Madden standing along the edge of water. She wears a black outfit and is holding a tube in her hand.
Inside the Microbial Jungle: Tales from a Microbe Whisperer
Laura Tran, PhD | Dec 13, 2024 | 10 min read
Anne Madden sees the beauty and brawn of creepy-crawly microbes and how they may hold the solution to many human problems.
An illustration shows two boxing gloves, one red and one blue, giving a fist bump against a yellow background.
The Evolution of Microbe Teachers and AI Cheaters
Meenakshi Prabhune, PhD | Dec 13, 2024 | 2 min read
In nature, microbes fend off their microbial competitors. In the digital world, can AI-detection tools help researchers knock out AI-based research misconduct?
The human Microbiome, the genetic material of all the microbes that live on and inside the human body.
The Art of Microbial Disguise
Mariella Bodemeier Loayza Careaga, PhD | Dec 13, 2024 | 10+ min read
On the battleground of the human body, microbes use every skill to mask, infiltrate, manipulate, and evade the immune radar.
Electron Micrograph of Wolbachia in testes of the wasp Nasonia vitripennis.
Wolbachia Turns 100: The Journey of a Triumphant Endosymbiont
Mariella Bodemeier Loayza Careaga, PhD | Dec 13, 2024 | 10+ min read
In a century, Wolbachia has gone from a master reproductive manipulator to a partner in the fight against pathogens, exemplifying how a microbe can shape hosts and diseases.
invasion of the mosquitoes
A Tiny but Mighty Helper Stops Mosquito Viruses in Their Tracks
Mariella Bodemeier Loayza Careaga, PhD | Dec 13, 2024 | 10+ min read
Vector biologist Luciano Moreira has been fighting disease-causing pathogens for years. Now he teams up with Wolbachia in this mission.
iStock
A Reproducible Approach to Exploring Microbiomes
The Scientist Staff | Dec 12, 2024 | 4 min read
Julia Swavola from Cerillo explains how an off-the-shelf co-culture system helps researchers shed light on microbial populations in real time.
New Frontiers in Vaccine Development
New Frontiers in Vaccine Development
The Scientist Staff | Dec 12, 2024 | 2 min read
Discover how scientists are designing the next groundbreaking vaccines against infectious diseases.
Wastewater surveillance conceptual visualization of a water droplet containing different microorganism
Elevating Wastewater Epidemiology with Microfluidics
Standard BioTools | Dec 6, 2024 | 1 min read
High-throughput technologies help researchers detect and monitor microbes in wastewater for source tracking and early interventions.
3D cartoon of a blue and green prokaryote on a teal background. Part of the cell is cutaway to reveal its circular chromosome.
A Hunt for Clues to the Origins of the Eukaryotic Immune System
Shelby Bradford, PhD | Dec 6, 2024 | 4 min read
Homologous defense proteins in archaea and eukaryotes point to these early prokaryotes' role in the immune system of modern complex organisms.
Image of concentric circles cut into a grass lawn.
Bacteria’s Stress Strategy: Slow Down to Avoid the Crowd
Laura Tran, PhD | Dec 2, 2024 | 4 min read
Computer simulations highlight how bacteria slow their growth to avoid overcrowding, a behavior that may inform pathogen control. 
A photo of a 96-well microplate showcasing serial dilutions of purple dye solution.
Achieving Consistency in Serial Dilutions
The Scientist Staff | Dec 2, 2024 | 2 min read
Researchers ensure the success of their serial dilution-based assays by using optimized protocols and advanced liquid handling tools.
A young child holding her bruised knee.
A Beneficial Bacterium Helps Wounds Heal
Sneha Khedkar | Dec 2, 2024 | 5 min read
A bacterium found in the wound microbiome can accelerate healing, highlighting the potential for microbiota-based wound therapies.
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