Metabolic mutations help bacteria resist drug treatment
Study suggests forcing bacteria to burn more energy could make them more susceptible to antibiotics.
A new tool to investigate bacteria behind hospital infections
Scalable CRISPRi system from SMART allows scientists to identify and tackle causes of E. faecalis-related diseases and drug resistance.
Geologists produce new timeline of Earth’s Paleozoic climate changes
The record shows ancient temperature variations coinciding with shifts in the planet’s biodiversity.
Scientists discover slimy microbes that may help keep coral reefs healthy
The bacteria scrub out nitrogen, potentially defending against certain nutrient overloads.
Turning microbiome research into a force for health
A diverse group of researchers is working to turn new discoveries about the trillions of microbes in the body into treatments for a range of diseases.
SMART researchers use lysins to selectively target bacteria
The discovery can help to cure bacterial infections without inducing resistance or causing harm to good bacteria.
3 Questions: Ram Sasisekharan on hastening vaccines and treatments
Biological engineer discusses condensing the time taken to develop therapeutics down from many years to a matter of months.
Did our early ancestors boil their food in hot springs?
Scientists have found evidence of hot springs near sites where ancient hominids settled, long before the control of fire.
A new way to make bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics
SMART researchers find exposing bacteria to hydrogen sulfide can increase antimicrobial sensitivity in bacteria that do not produce H2S.
Scientists discover new rules about “runaway” transcription
Findings related to bacterial gene expression overturn fundamental assumptions about basic biological pathways.
A new tool for modeling the human gut microbiome
Bacteria linked to Crohn’s disease are difficult to grow in the lab, but MIT engineers have found a way.
![“The biology [around gut bacteria’s influence on health] is fairly complex, and we’re still in the early days of unravelling it, but there have been a number of clinical studies that have reported benefits to restoring gut health, and that’s our north star: the clinical data,” Finch co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Smith PhD ’14 says.](/sites/default/files/styles/term_page__news_article/public/images/202007/MIT-Finch-01.jpg?itok=-8olXqg-)
Finch Therapeutics unleashes the power of the gut
The company is developing treatments that restore gut bacteria in people struggling with a range of diseases.
SMART researchers uncover new anti-phage defense mechanisms
Discovery explains why some bacteria have been able to defend against phage therapy, opens new ways to overcome existing challenges.
Study: Life might survive, and thrive, in a hydrogen world
When searching for extraterrestrial life, astronomers may want to look at planets with hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
Study analyzes contamination in drug manufacturing plants
Report offers guidelines to help prevent viruses from tainting biopharmaceutical drugs.