Researchers have discovered how acids on the surface of bacteria give these microscopic organisms their characteristic "rod" ...

From plant stems to bacterial shells, cell walls are far more than rigid barriers—they’re living, adapting structures. Scientists are uncovering how they maintain shape, remodel themselves, and even ...

Researchers have discovered a widespread mechanism in bacteria that enhances the bacteria's defense against environmental threats. The discovery, which may be important for research into developing ...

Scientists have released new images showing, in incredible detail, antibiotics defeating disease-causing bacteria by piercing the microbes' membranes and infiltrating their innards. The antibiotics, ...

Bacteria are experts at evolving resistance to antibiotics. One resistance strategy is to cover their cell walls in sticky and gooey biofilm that antibiotics cannot penetrate. A new discovery could ...

Antibiotic resistance is considered one of the most urgent health threats of our time. Common bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus are evolving defenses against the drugs doctors rely on ...

Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden published a study “Breaking barriers: pCF10 type 4 secretion system relies on a self-regulating muramidase to modulate the cell wall” in mBIO that describes ...

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American Quick, can you describe your grandparents?

Composite image of E. coli exposed to the polymyxin antibiotic – the images show the changes to the outer layer of armour over time. From left to right: bacterium untreated by the antibiotic; ...