New studies from Arizona State University reveal surprising ways bacteria can move without their flagella—the slender, whip-like propellers that usually drive them forward. Subscribe to our newsletter ...

What physical processes govern the movement of microscopic structures capable of interacting with their environment? The answer lies in two mechanisms: self-propulsion, to escape unfavorable locations ...

Scientists have uncovered a surprising twist in how bacteria share genes—including those that spread antibiotic resistance.

Glowing bacteria use bioluminescence to tell synthetic vesicles when to hitch a ride and when to let go, enabling fully ...

In what they labeled a "surprising" finding, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers studying bacteria from freshwater lakes and soil say they have determined a protein's essential role in maintaining the ...

Forever chemicals may be entering living cells as bacteria weave PFAS into their membranes, revealing a hidden pollution ...

Cyanobacteria—ancient microbes that oxygenated Earth and made complex life possible—are still revealing surprises billions of ...

The bacterial flagellar motor is finally understood after 50 years. In its workings, columnist Natalie Wolchover finds the ...