Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a type of molecule and a key building block of the ribosome, the cell's protein-making machinery. rRNA accounts for much of the RNA in a cell, and it's crucial for life. It's ...

Two key sequencing techniques are no longer at odds, thanks to an international effort led by scientists at University of California (UC) San Diego. The researchers have developed a reference database ...

Hyperthermophilic archaea are true survival experts. They thrive in boiling hot springs and deep-sea vents—environments lethal to nearly all other forms of life. Researchers at the German Archaea ...

Bioinformatics and microbial taxonomy experts introduce the challenges of defining bacterial species in an era of rapidly ...

In the microscopic world of bacteria, gene transfer is a powerful mechanism that can alter cellular function, drive antibiotic resistance and even shape entire ecosystems. Now an interdisciplinary ...