微生物

What makes a baker’s hands different from anyone else’s hands? And how does flour, water, bacteria and wild yeast from the air result in something as delicious and as unique as a loaf of sourdough? Biologist Rob Dunn wanted to find out.

This freshly drawn Tree of Life contains a new branch full of microbes — which appear to dominate Earth’s biodiversity. How did we miss that? TED Fellow Hélène Morlon explains.

Synthetic biologist Tal Danino manipulates microorganisms in his lab to create eye-catching, colorful patterns. Here’s a look at the process he uses to turn “Oh, yuck” into “Oh, wow.”

Science writer Sonia Shah explains why it’s really not your fault you’re attracted to that terrible person.