Nitrogenases have catalyzed biological nitrogen fixation for billions of years and revolutionized planet Earth by supplying essential nitrogen to the biosphere.
Microbiology & Virology
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Metagenome Mining And Functional Analysis Reveal Oxidized Guanine DNA Repair At The Lost City Hydrothermal Field
The GO DNA repair system protects against GC → TC mutations by finding and removing oxidized guanine. The system is mechanistically well understood but its origins are unknown. We searched […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Radiation, Status Report
Extreme UVC Radiation Tolerance In Bacteria Recovered From Earth’s Stratosphere
Aerosolized microbes surviving transport to and in the stratosphere endure extremes of low temperature, atmospheric pressure, and relative humidity, and high shortwave ultraviolet radiation flux. However, the genetic determinants for […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
The Genetics Of Temperature Adaptation: How Does Life Thrive In Extreme Conditions?
The history of the Earth has been one of physical extremes—extreme atmospheric conditions, extreme chemical environments, and extreme temperatures. There was a time when the Earth was so hot all […]
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
Study Shines New Light On Ancient Microbial Dark Matter
Bacteria are literally everywhere – in oceans, in soils, in extreme environments like hot springs, and even alongside and inside other organisms including humans. They’re nearly invisible, yet they play […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Press Release
Away Team Issues: Humans Are Leaving Behind A Frozen Signature Of Microbes On Mount Everest
Almost 5 miles above sea level in the Himalayan mountains, the rocky dip between Mount Everest and its sister peak, Lhotse, lies windswept, free of snow. It is here at […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
Bacteriophage P74-26 Virus: An Evolutionary Oddity
A recent study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has revealed the secret behind an evolutionary marvel: a bacteriophage with an extremely long tail.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
Río Tinto’s Eukaryotes In Extreme Acidic Environments
A major issue in microbial ecology is to identify the limits of life for growth and survival, and to understand the molecular mechanisms that define these limits.
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Life In The Smoke Of Underwater Volcanoes
Deep down in the ocean at tectonic plate boundaries, hot fluids rise from so-called hydrothermal vents. The fluids are devoid of oxygen and contain large amounts of metals such as […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Stations
How Does Spaceflight Affect The Genomics And Proteomics Of Escherichia Coli?
Microbial safety has become a research hotspot with the development of manned space technology. Escherichia coli is a conditional pathogen that can cause infectious diseases.