Microbiology

A new model shows that the denizens of a vast, ancient biome beneath the seafloor use barely enough energy to stay alive—and broadens understanding of what life can look like.

Neural networks have been taught to quickly read the surfaces of proteins—molecules critical to many biological processes. The advance is already being used to create defenses for the virus responsible for COVID-19.

A pervasive, pernicious virus has evaded vaccine developers for decades. By getting a clear look at its protective shell, they might finally know how to defeat it.

To scientists’ surprise, blended mixtures of cytoplasm can reorganize themselves into cell-like compartments with working structural components.

Half of your genome started out as an infection; if left unchecked, some parts of it can turn deadly all over again.

Experiments on snails and other creatures raise questions about how memories are really stored.

The 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine honors work elucidating how cells adjust to low oxygen levels.

Origin-of-life researchers have usually studied the potential of pure starting materials, but messy chemical composites may kick-start life more effectively.

T-cells identify what belongs in the body by timing how long they can bind to it.