Caves were thought to be essentially devoid of life until six years ago, when the renowned University of Colorado microbiologist Norman Pace, also an avid caver, discovered a way to identify extremophile microorganisms by cloning and sequencing unique sections of their DNA. Prior to Pace's work biologists had fruitlessly tried to cultivate these microorganisms with traditional lab techniques using nutrient-rich petri dishes.
Dr. LEE RYBECK LYND (Professor of Engineering, Adjunct Professor of Biology, Dartmouth College): In my lab, one of the big ideas we're working on, is to try to develop microorganisms using genetic engineering, that let us do, in one step, what we're now only able to do in more than one step.
His scientists are working on a process to grow more microorganisms as well as alter their metabolism to produce even more methane.
The cave environment is a tough place in which to make a living, limited in food and essential nutrients, forcing microorganisms to fight over limited resources.
To liberate the hydrogen, Virginia Tech scientists separated a number of enzymes from their native microorganisms to create a customized enzyme cocktail that does not occur in nature.
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That could result in a "cytokine storm" in which the body secretes too many chemicals as it tries to kill offending microorganisms.
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So it is funding research into getting microorganisms to extract energy from things like metal ions abundant in the earth or solar electricity.
Rather than grow and harvest biomass, such as wood chips or algae, and then process that into fuel, Joule has engineered microorganisms to secrete fuel and chemicals, including ethanol and diesel.
They collect sediment in Comet Lake to search for diatoms, microorganisms whose skeletal remains allow scientists to reconstruct past climates.
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And when new or rare diseases are found, doctors worldwide turn to the CDC to figure out which microorganisms they are battling.
"The moment you do that they're much more fragile - that means there are certain aspects of life which seem to be taking place in the absence of microorganisms, but there are clearly aspects connected to the presence of them, " he told BBC News.
Scientists have been able to survey the distribution of microorganisms only in the lab or in emergency situations like epidemic outbreaks.
According to the news, the unicellular microorganisms are rod-shaped and nourish themselves by photosynthesis.
Diversa is perhaps best known for having contracted with Yellowstone National Park to plumb the DNA of the microorganisms that live in geologic formations there.
Astrobiologists think such moons are promising places to go look for extra-terrestrial microorganisms.
Once triggered by sunlight, clothing made out of the fabric will be able to rid itself of dirt, pollutants and microorganisms.
The cells that make up our bodies are outnumbered within and on the surface of our skin by microorganisms by a factor of 10 to 1.
Safe enough to go into the human body, the hydrogel prevents biofilms from growing and, thanks to its positive charge, attracts negatively charged microorganisms, which it then pops like water balloons.
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Engineers who put these HVAC systems together could start using biological evidence to redesign them so they limit the growth of harmful microorganisms.
Obama may be busy with the upcoming election, but he said he'd still like to know immediately whether Curiosity finds life -- even microorganisms -- on Mars.
Scientists know the body harbors trillions of such microorganisms indeed, they outnumber human cells 10 to 1.
And whether the microorganisms come from Yellowstone or elsewhere, Diversa is fast to find out if they carry any marketable chemicals on them.
This summer she plans to hit a few more caves in Kentucky, including one where unclassified microorganisms are eating away at the ceiling, turning it into a squishy white substance like icing on a cake.
In food equipment as in any environment where microorganisms can occur naturally or be spread by contact, it is essential to follow proven steps for cleaning and sanitizing.
Over many years the FDA had had prodigious experience with insulins and with drugs derived from various microorganisms, so it was decided that no fundamentally new regulatory paradigms were necessary to evaluate the recombinant human insulin.
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