Lipid A, the endotoxic component of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is fundamental to the architecture and function of Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes. It not only anchors LPS to the cell surface ...

A new study has revealed the existence of bifunctional diterpene cyclases/synthases (DCSs) in bacteria, offering compelling evidence that the plant terpene synthase gene family, termed TPS, originated ...

Protein cages found in nature within microbes help weather its contents from the harsh intracellular environment -- an observation with many bioengineering applications. Researchers recently developed ...

Polymers are one of the most important elements of modern-day society, particularly in the form of plastics. Unfortunately most common polymers are derived from fossil resources, which not only makes ...

Efficient utilisation of abundant renewable sugars and aromatic chemicals by natural or recombinant microorganisms is a key prerequisite for the economic viability of biotechnological valorisation of ...

The fascinating world of bacteria that live as symbionts or parasites in animal hosts often remains a mystery to researchers. Kiel University (CAU) and the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology ...

Gut bacteria may interact with therapeutic drugs in ways that can result in both reduced microbial fitness or reduced drug efficacy. For example, drugs may be inactivated or otherwise chemically ...

Macrolides are an important class of antibiotics that includes drugs such as azithromycin and erythromycin, which are widely used to treat a range of infections, including pneumonia and skin ...

Microbiota are recognized as key regulators of the gut-brain axis, but whether brain neurons can directly sense bacterial components, and conversely, if bacteria are involved in modulating ...