Economic Equality
Across the globe there are huge disparities in access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and economic resources, with the UN estimating over 98 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. It is vital for microbial research to identify those areas which actively maintain cycles of poverty and disparity. In recognising the interconnected nature of human financial systems and environmental health, microbial research can be a leader in working toward Economic Equality.
News
Fungi enhance hydrogels for stronger, safer materials
New research uses a natural substance from fungi, called chitin, to create hydrogels that are both significantly stronger and tougher.
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NewsCorn stalks. It’s what’s for dinner … If you’re a microbe
Engineers have developed a strain of a common bacterial species, Pseudomonas putida, that can feed exclusively on the three major sugars present in corn stalks, with broader implications for the future of biomanufacturing.
NewsYour next handbag could start with mycelium
Researchers create durable, biodegradable vegan leather from fungal fibers using a manufacturing process designed for large-scale production.
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News
Protein-enriched ketchup gets a boost from algae extracts
Added protein is showing up in foods from breakfast cereal to pasta, but not many condiments … yet. Researchers have now developed an enriched tomato ketchup by incorporating protein extracted from microalgae.
New platform speeds bacterial gene mapping for better biotech design
A new platform pinpoints genetic triggers that turn microbes into efficient factories for new chemicals and materials.
Biofortified millet benefits toddlers without supplement side effects
Toddlers who ate iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet for nine months did not experience adverse effects typically associated with increased iron intake and developed gut microbiomes with distinct and potentially beneficial changes.
Free webinar: The secret world of the vaginal microbiome
A fascinating free webinar will shine a light into the secret world of the human microbiome and how it influences gynecological health. It will focus on what the vaginal microbiome can reveal about health, disease, and the gaps in care we still need to address.
New Mexico measles outbreak estimated to cost $5.4 million
A cost analysis of the 2025 measles outbreak in New Mexico found that the outbreak carried an estimated societal cost of $5.4 million, or more than $53,000 per case.
Redistributing sunlight boosts algae biomass productivity sixfold
Researchers have developed a low-energy way to distribute sunlight more evenly throughout algae cultivation systems. The technology increased algae biomass productivity by as much as six times in outdoor testing.
New discovery could hold key to making microbes more resistant towards industrial processes
In the bacterium Pseudomonas putida, the membrane protein CrcB pumps harmful fluoride ions out of the cells. Researchers investigated how P. putida adapts to a fluoride-containing environment, when it is deprived of the ability to produce the CrcB protein.
Floating colonies: engineering three-dimensional microbial architectures in liquid cultures
Researchers develop an innovative platform for engineering three-dimensional microbial structures while preserving molecular diffusion, microbial motility, and growth.
Anaerobic dry processing unlocks flavor precursors in Arabica coffee beans
A research team has mapped how four post-harvest processing methods reshape flavor precursors in Arabica coffee beans, showing that anaerobic fermentation substantially increases key non-volatile metabolites linked to aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and balance.
Call for expertise: Help shape the future of biotechnology regulation in Europe
Microbiologists have a rare opportunity to help shape future European biotechnology regulation. Applied Microbiology International (AMI) is calling on members to contribute as the European Commission seeks expert input on a proposed new Biotech Act.
Move over quokkas: Rottnest’s salt lake bacteria could be the island’s next big claim to fame
Scientists have read the full genetic code of bacteria from the salt lakes of Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), giving them their clearest picture yet of how these tiny organisms could be used to make biodegradable plastic.
When it comes to brain health, is microbiome science missing much of the world?
For more than two decades, scientists have uncovered remarkable links between the trillions of microbes living in our gut and the health of our brains. What if much of this science is based on studying only a narrow slice of global diversity?
Bacterial cellulose offers a sustainable path for high-performance energy storage
Researchers review the structural, electrochemical, and mechanical aspects of bacterial cellulose-derived carbon electrodes for next-generation supercapacitors.
WHO Member States continue negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex
WHO Member States have advanced negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex, while agreeing that continued discussions are needed to finalize a framework that supports a faster, more effective and equitable response to future pandemics.
COVID-19 booster strategies provide lasting immunity
Smaller doses of COVID-19 booster vaccines can provide long-lasting immunity, helping to reduce costs and improve access to vaccination, according to research. The findings could also inform vaccine dosing and options during future pandemics.
Low carbon dioxide levels improve microbial production of biodegradable plastic
In an innovative gas fermentation process, reducing concentration of carbon dioxide was found to significantly improve microbial production of the biodegradable plastic, poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]. The study provides a promising strategy for sustainable carbon recycling and efficient CO2 utilization.
Scientists receive DOW funding for fungal biotechnology research
Scientists have been awarded funding to develop new tools permitting high-throughput analysis of fungal genes. The grant focuses on species of Candida, which can contaminate and sometimes cause operational issues in DOW systems like aircraft fuel systems, vehicles, and electronics.
Research team brings the era of microbial cell factories one step closer
A research team analyzed the key bottlenecks limiting the commercialization of biomanufacturing, and proposed an AI-based roadmap for industrialization.
A bacterium capable of predicting the course of a disease
A research team made use of the bacterium’s natural capabilities without altering it genetically. Using plasma samples from patients with COVID-19, they were able to distinguish patients likely to develop a mild form of the disease from those at risk of progressing to a severe form.