Microbes, or microorganisms, are tiny living organisms that are generally too small to be seen with the naked eye. They include a wide variety of life forms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. These organisms can be found in virtually every environment on Earth, from soil and water to extreme locations like hydrothermal vents and arctic ice. Microbes play essential roles in the biosphere, with functions in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and as part of the normal flora in human and animal bodies. They can have both beneficial and detrimental impacts on human health and the environment. Beneficially, microbes are involved in processes such as fermentation (used in the production of bread, yogurt, and alcohol) and are vital for the digestive system. However, some microbes can cause a variety of diseases and infections. Advancements in microbiology have led to significant improvements in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology, emphasizing the importance of understanding these small but powerful organisms.
Microorganisms reveal how our single-celled predecessors incorporated viral DNA into their own genomes. Researchers have discovered remnants of ancient giant viruses in the genome of…
Research conducted by the Hackett group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Rome indicates that altering the gut microbiome of male mice elevates…
Researchers from Brigham, Broad, and Harvard Chan School have discovered that certain species and strains of bacteria are associated with alterations in the gut microbiome’s…
Researchers at Penn Medicine analyzed genomic data to discover new antibiotics within the global microbiome. Nearly a century after the groundbreaking introduction of antibiotics such…
A new study aids in clarifying the role of microbes in the global carbon cycle. When soil microbes eat plant matter, the digested food follows…
In a discovery with implications for the search for extraterrestrial life, scientists have uncovered microbial life 13 feet beneath the surface of the Atacama Desert,…
A new molecular DNA analysis technique has enabled the detection of viable microbes at depths of up to 4.20 meters. This discovery also holds significance…
A team of scientists led by researchers at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences have developed an innovative method to link the genetics and function of…
Fiber is good for us, yet recent research reveals that humans are gradually losing the microorganisms necessary to convert fiber into food for a healthy…
Hydrogen gas, dubbed the energy of the future, has been providing energy since 4 billion years ago. A recent study reveals how hydrogen gas, often…
Study reveals microorganisms, once infected, harbor novel genes for methane generation. A recent study reveals that viruses that infect microbes contribute to climate change by…
You’d think the complex flavor in a quality cup of tea would depend mainly on the tea varieties used to make it. However, recent research…
Research reveals a consistent microbial network involved in animal decomposition, promising advancements in forensic science and beyond, with implications for accurately estimating time of death…
Using a database of over 60,000 microorganisms curated by researchers from across the globe, the new search tool instantly matches microbes to the metabolites they…
A newly discovered species of bacteria found at the deep-sea hydrothermal vent known as ‘Crab Spa’ offers significant insights into the evolution of bacteria. Deep-sea…
Research reveals that honeypot ant honey possesses strong antimicrobial qualities. Researchers have found that the honey produced by ants native to Australia possesses unique anti-microbial…
Scientists uncover the genes essential for the unusual lifestyle of minuscule bacteria that live on the surface of larger bacteria. Patescibacteria are a mysterious group…
How bacteria use carbon dioxide and electricity to produce useful chemical In the field of microbial electrosynthesis, microbes utilize CO2 and electricity to generate substances…