Mixotricha paradoxa is a curious protist that lives in the gut of the Australian termite, where it helps digest cellulose. But, that’s not what’s so cool about it. Mixotricha isn’t just a protist, ...

The bacterial pathogens that cause Lyme disease and syphilis are highly invasive. These pathogens, or spirochetes, can invade the central nervous system and, in the case of syphilis, enter the ...

Researchers have identified a new way to fight infections like Lyme disease and syphilis by disrupting the bacteria’s ‘motor,’ preventing it from spreading through the body. The findings could have ...

When Chunhao (Chris) Li joined the faculty in the Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, in 2005, he put UB on the map of research hotspots in the effort to better understand ...

Microbiologists have discovered that a type of bacteria found in termite guts and in fresh and salt water plays a major role in the process of nitrogen fixation. All organisms require the element to ...

Among bacteria, the spirochetes are characterized by their spiral shape and remarkable length — as much 50 times longer than most other bacteria. This can make cell elongation and division a laborious ...