Articles for category: Biology & Genetics, Microbiology

The Diversity of Oral Microbiomes

How the Human Microbiome Trains Your Immune System From Birth

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine a world inside you—teeming, wild, and alive with billions of tiny creatures working around the clock. It’s not science fiction; it’s the reality of your microbiome. From the first breath you take, these microscopic companions become your lifelong teachers, shaping and schooling your immune system in ways that are as mysterious as they are ...

The Microbes That Breathe Metal: Life That Thrives Without Oxygen or Light

The Microbes That Breathe Metal: Life That Thrives Without Oxygen or Light

Annette Uy

Imagine a world where sunlight never shines, oxygen is nowhere to be found, and survival means drawing energy from the most unlikely of sources—metal. It sounds like something straight out of a science fiction novel, yet this hidden world is alive beneath our feet and deep within the Earth’s crust. These are the microbes that ...

a close up of a blue substance on a metal surface

25 Ways Microbes Are Helping Us Solve Global Problems

Annette Uy

Microbes, often regarded simply as agents of disease or decay, play a multifaceted and crucial role in maintaining and enhancing life on Earth. With the escalating challenges of global warming, food insecurity, and pollution, scientists are increasingly looking to these tiny organisms for innovative solutions. Here’s how microbes are rising to the occasion to address ...

Unveiling the Past: Discoveries from Melting Glaciers

The Microorganisms That May Be Melting Ice Sheets From Below

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine a world beneath the ice—dark, frigid, and seemingly lifeless. Yet, under the massive ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland, there’s a secret drama unfolding, one that could change the fate of our planet’s coastlines. Here, in the shadows where sunlight never penetrates, billions of tiny life forms are at work, quietly shaping the future ...

Microbe on microscope

20 of the Most Deadly Microbial Diseases and How We Fight Them

Trizzy Orozco

Microbial diseases, caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, have significantly impacted human and animal health throughout history. Understanding how these diseases develop, spread, and can be controlled is crucial in the fields of medicine and veterinary science. This article explores 20 of the most deadly microbial diseases affecting humans and animals ...

Microbiologist sitting in front of a computer monitor.

How to Become a Microbiologist: Exploring the World of Microbes and Their Impact on Health

Trizzy Orozco

Microbiology is the fascinating study of microorganisms, or microbes, which are tiny life forms that include bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa. These organisms have a profound impact on the world, influencing processes in healthcare, agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental science. They are integral to our understanding of biological life and health, making the role of ...

biotechnology bioremediation project

Microbes and Bioremediation: How Bacteria Are Cleaning Up Environmental Pollution

Annette Uy

Environmental pollution has become a critical concern in today’s world, as industrial activities and urbanization contribute to the degradation of natural ecosystems. Traditional methods of cleaning up pollution often involve physical extraction or chemical treatments, which can be costly and sometimes further harmful to the environment. Enter bioremediation, a sustainable and promising solution. This process ...

Genome editing, CRISPR

CRISPR and Microbiology: How Gene Editing Is Transforming the Study of Microbes

Annette Uy

CRISPR, an acronym for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, has emerged as a groundbreaking technology in the field of gene editing. Its applications extend into various domains, including microbiology, where it is revolutionizing our understanding and manipulation of microorganisms. As scientists delve deeper into the microbial world, CRISPR offers unprecedented tools to manipulate microbial ...

Diver swimming near the algae

Coral Secrets Revealed: Diver-Operated Microscope Captures Photosynthesis in Real Time

April Joy Jovita

A new diver-operated microscope is revolutionizing coral research by allowing scientists to observe photosynthesis and microalgae behavior directly in the ocean. Developed by UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Benthic Underwater Microscope Imaging PAM (BUMP) offers unprecedented access to coral bleaching and how they respond to environmental stress. A Technological Leap for Coral ...