A Natural Mechanism Can Turbocharge Viral Evolution
A genetic element that enables rapid, targeted mutation is surprisingly widespread and appears to allow viruses to hunt new microbial prey. [Read More]
Refining the Process of Identifying Algae Biotechnology Candidates
A collaborative approach highlights how a screening and characterization pipeline could help accelerate algae biotechnology research efforts. [Read More]
Bacteria and Fungi Divvy Up the Work in Forest Floor
While thousands of species of fungi and bacteria dwell on — and within — the forest floor, who’s recycling the plant biomass? [Read More]
Gut Fungi: Unexpected Source of Novel Chemicals
Combing through the genomes of four anaerobic fungal species has revealed, for the first time, that this group is unexpectedly powerful: they can whip up dozens of complex natural products, including new ones. [Read More]
An Automated Tool for Assessing Virus Data Quality
The CheckV tool helps researchers to assess the completeness of virus genome sequences and complements a community effort to develop guidelines and best practices for defining virus data quality. [Read More]
A One-Stop Shop for Analyzing Algal Genomes
By bringing together publicly available algal genomes into one place, PhycoCosm allows users to easily compile data that answers what genes are present in which organisms, when are they expressed, and what they do. [Read More]
How Maize Makes An Antibiotic Cocktail
Maize produces a family of compounds that protects it against infections — using surprisingly few enzymes. The Science Maize (Zea mays) produces a plethora of antibiotics called zealexins. Even though scientists have identified at least 15 zealexins, they suspect there are even more to find. Zealexins are produced in every corn variety and protect maize… [Read More]
From Competition to Cooperation
Comparing 135 fungal genome sequences, researchers looked at how multiple forest fungi have independently evolved to establish symbiotic relationships with plants, and particularly how fungi that feed on decaying plant matter have transitioned to the symbiotic lifestyle. [Read More]
A Grass Model to Help Improve Giant Miscanthus
The reference genome for Miscanthus sinensis, and the associated genomic tools, allows Miscanthus to both inform and benefit from breeding programs of related candidate bioenergy feedstock crops such as sugarcane and sorghum. [Read More]
In Hot Spring Microbial Mat, Viruses Ride “Piggyback”
Scientists have used sequencing methods to comprehensively characterize viral-host interactions in a microbial mat for the first time. [Read More]
