News & Publications

A genetic element that generates targeted mutations, called diversity-generating retroelements (DGRs), are found in viruses, as well as bacteria and archaea. Most DGRs found in viruses appear to be in their tail fibers. These tail fibers – signified in the cartoon by the blue virus’ downward pointing ‘arms’— allow the virus to attach to one cell type (red), but not the other (purple). DGRs mutate these ‘arms,’ giving the virus opportunities to switch to different prey, like the purple cell. (Courtesy of Blair Paul)

June 25, 2021

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]

Algae growing in a bioreactor. (Dennis Schroeder, NREL)

June 3, 2021

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]

The anaerobic fungus Anaeroromyces robustus growing on reed canary grass. (Vaithiyalingam Shutthanandan, PNNL/EMSL)

April 28, 2021

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]

Screencap of green algae video for PNAS paper

February 22, 2021

Green Algae Reveal One mRNA Encodes Many Proteins

A team of researchers reports unexpectedly finding multiple genes transcribed on a single molecule of mRNA in two algal species. [Read More]