bacteria tagged posts

These pseudotachylites — fine grained rocks — are from the British Isles. Credit: Image courtesy of Yale University

A new study shows that rocks formed by the grinding together of other rocks during earthquakes are rich in trapped hydrogen – a finding that suggests similar seismic activity on Mars may produce enough hydrogen to support life. Researchers from Yale, the University of Aberdeen, and Brock University studied rock formations around active fault lines in the Outer Hebrides, off the coast of Scotland. “Previous work has suggested that hydrogen is produced during earthquakes when rocks fracture and grind together. Our measurements suggest that enough hydrogen is produced to support the growth of microorganisms around active faults,” said Yale geologist Sean McMahon.

While humans an...

Researchers unveil a series of sensors, memory switches, and circuits that can be encoded in the common human gut bacterium. These basic computing elements will allow the bacteria to sense, memorize, and respond to signals in the gut, with future applications that might include the early detection and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer.

Researchers have previously built genetic circuits inside model organisms such as E coli. However, such strains are only found at low levels within the human gut. “We wanted to work with strains like B thetaiotaomicron that are present in many people in abundant levels, and can stably colonize the gut for long periods of time,” Lu says.

METHOD: A series of genetic parts was made th...