One of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet is closer than you think—right inside your mouth. Your mouth is a thriving ecosystem of more than 500 different species of bacteria living in distinct, ...

Researchers have discovered that virus-like nanoparticles can promote the multicellular organization and reproduction of host bacteria. These particles, which are evolutionarily related to phages ...

Why is there sex—or, more precisely, sexual reproduction? If you're an evolutionary biologist, the answer isn't obvious.

Understanding the differences between bacteria and viruses is crucial for recognizing how these microorganisms impact our ...

Unlike most bacteria, Caulobacterales bacteria divide asymmetrically when they reproduce, which creates two cells that look different from each other (top part of the illustration). However, the ...

Tiny viruses that infect bacteria could one day help us tackle infections that antibiotics can no longer treat. But first, scientists need to ...

New research has uncovered an extraordinary mechanism of cell division in Corynebacterium matruchotii, one of the most common bacteria living in dental plaque. The filamentous bacterium doesn't just ...