If this was around during the discovery of antibody structure we might not have Fc and Fab regions!

The probioitc L. johnsonii has the ability to alter its coat. The alteration protects the bacteria from stomach acids and helps them come together to form biofilms. This increases colonization within the gut and could prevent C. perfringens from colonising the gut. This is a very interesting approach and is comparable to the actions of natural flora within humans.

Genetics Researchers at UC Davis and the University of British Columbia have shed new light on methylation, a critical process that helps control how genes are expressed. Working with placentas, the team discovered that 37 percent of the placental genome has regions of lower methylation, called partially methylated domains (PMDs), in which gene expression is turned off. Studying of the placenta is particularly interesting because the placenta has invasive characteristics associated with cancer. Increasing our knowledge about PMDs can help determine which genes are silenced and where specific DNA originated.

New research, conducted in collaboration with researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, has found that the gut microbes of mice undergo drastic changes following gastric bypass surgery. This is quite an astounding discovery. Finding ways to manipulate microbial populations can potentially open doors for alternatives to weight loss and fighting off bacteria.

The Brilliance GBS Agar is used for the testing of Group B streptococci (GBS) during pregnancy. The new agar is designed to reduce the number of test steps for clinical technicians, give more reliable results, and enable faster patient treatment by featuring proprietary Inhibigen™ technology. In trials, up to 99% of the negatives show no growth, greatly simplifying interpretation. And because the product requires only a single inoculation, it is also ideal for those laboratories who are already automating their test procedures. Screening for GBS can now be as simple as screening for MRSA".

Interesting article about how specific atomic interactions within the ribosome structure structure respond to the environment. Presents a new way to examine macromolecules and the physical principles that guide their function

The flu virus carries about 300 to 400 of these hooks and virologists had known that several are needed to fuse the membranes. 4 hooks has recently been identified as the number of hooks required to pull the two membranes together. Without the attachment of 4 hooks the virus is vulnerable to inhibitors which will prevent fusion.

Increasing ROS (reactive oxygen species) in bacteria allow current antibiotics to be more potent. This approach weakens the bacteria allowing lower doses of antibiotics to be effective. This is can potentially help reduce the rate of antibiotic resistance. As we continue to develop a greater understanding about disease causing bacteria we can expose numerous ways to weaken the bacteria.

This has little to do with microbiology but this staining technique is much more badass than Gram staining.

Plants and animals living in cold climates have natural antifreeze proteins (AFPs) which prevent ice growth and crystallization of organic fluid matter.

Some of the bacterial species can seed the tiny ice crystals that lead to rain, suggesting they play a role in causing rain. Bacteria have been found as far up as 24.8 miles (40 kilometers) and may even survive as spores into space.