Tag Microbiology
Fueled by new chemistry, algorithm mines fungi for useful molecules
Researchers have trained a new algorithm based on promising new targets and reinvigorated the search for clusters of genes likely to result in interesting biological compounds. Read More
UW–Madison researchers reveal how key protein might help influenza A infect its hosts
Scientists have found that a key viral protein produced by influenza A can shred a host cell's genetic materials while leaving the virus unharmed. Read More
In a first, researchers image adaptive immune systems at work in fish
A new study from researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison offers a first-of-its-kind visual of a non-mammal species' adaptive immune system in action. Read More
Tom Brock, who discovered world-changing extremophiles, dies at 94
One of the species Brock discovered helped usher in the modern era of molecular biology and underpins today’s PCR tests for the COVID-19 virus. Read More
UW’s Elizabeth McCoy was a pioneer of 20th century microbiology
As a woman in a field dominated by men, McCoy rarely received the accolades that her male colleagues did, but by all accounts, she felt welcome at the university and respected by her peers. Read More
Thanks to science, parasite can have sex in mice, not just cats
The work could lead to a vaccine for cats and throws a critical lifeline to scientists who study the parasite by providing a new animal model in which to study it. Read More
A Trojan horse? Immune cells ferry deadly fungus from mouse lung into the blood
New research shows how inhaled fungal spores exit the lung and trigger a fatal infection in mice. It appears that lung macrophages abandon their posts as bodyguards and begin smuggling spores into the bloodstream. Read More
Microbiology capstone course plumbs life’s mysteries in the deep ocean
In a capstone research project, dozens of senior microbiology majors are coaxing their microscopic subjects back to life and dissecting their genetic information in hopes of illuminating how their harsh ecosystems function. Read More
Study shows movement, evolutionary history of TB in China
A genetic scan of a massive number of samples taken from tuberculosis patients across China has shown a surprising genetic uniformity: just two “strains” of the tuberculosis bacterium account for 99.4 percent of all cases. Read More
A hidden world of communication, chemical warfare, beneath the soil
New research from the University of Wisconsin–Madison shows how some harmful microbes have to contend not just with a farmer’s chemical attacks, but also with their microscopic neighbors — and themselves turn to chemical warfare to ward off threats. Read More
Coral skeletons may resist the effects of acidifying oceans
Coral skeletons are the building blocks of diverse coral reef ecosystems, which has led to increasing concern over how these key species will cope with warming and acidifying oceans that threaten their stability. Read More
New campus initiative targets microbiome research
The initiative aims to position UW–Madison faculty to be more competitive when applying for federal funding. Read More
Finding useful chemicals from fungi, faster
Fungi are rich sources of natural molecules for drug discovery, but many challenges have pushed pharmaceutical companies away from tapping into this bounty. Now scientists… Read More
Termite gut holds a secret to breaking down plant biomass
In the Microbial Sciences Building at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the incredibly efficient eating habits of a fungus-cultivating termite are surprising even to those well acquainted with the insect’s natural gift for turning wood to dust. Read More
Experiments test how easy life itself might be
UW scientists are trying to understand how life could arise from lifelike chemical reactions under the right conditions, with implications for understanding how common life might be in the universe. Read More
Byzantine skeleton yields 800-year-old genomes from a fatal infection
Researchers discovered extraordinarily well preserved microfossils — mineralized ‘ghost cells’ — that closely resembled bacteria from the genus Staphylococcus. Read More
UW biotech spinoff Mirus Bio celebrates two decades in business
The company makes cutting-edge products based on discoveries by three UW scientists for delivering DNA and RNA into cells. Read More
UW-Madison seeks to capitalize on push to harness helpful microbes
The federal government has launched the National Microbiome Initiative to “foster the integrated study of microbiomes across different ecosystems.” Read More
In these microbes, iron works like oxygen
Two new studies can shed some light on the perennial question of how life arose, but they also have practical applications in the search for life in space. Read More
Deadly fish virus still present in Wisconsin lake
In May 2007, hundreds of freshwater drum - also known as sheepshead - turned up dead in Lake Winnebago and nearby Little Lake Butte des Morts, both inland lakes near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The fish were splotched with red and their eyes were swollen and bulging. Read More