In the science fiction series Star Trek, first contact between species occurs on a galactic scale; a recurring theme whose consequences are richly developed and explored throughout the series. In infection biology, first contact of a susceptible host with an infectious agent, albeit on a... click to read more

Infectious diseases rank among the greatest threats to human health. While the world stumbles through the current COVID-19 pandemic, a vast array of viral, fungal, parasitic, and bacterial pathogens continue to threaten people's lives. Before the rise of the pandemic, tuberculosis was the world's deadliest... click to read more

Humans have kept honey bees for millennia, and scientists love to study them because of their unique societies (80,000 bees can live and work together in a single hive!) and communication (they exchange information by "dancing"). Honey bees also help produce much of the food... click to read more

In the field of "bottom-up" synthetic biology, we aim to build lifelike systems from inanimate building blocks. From this approach, we hope to gain deeper insights into the fundamental processes of life and develop new technological innovations. One such significant and possibly the most remarkable... click to read more

Invisible to the naked eye, we are almost always surrounded by small particles suspended in the air. They are known as atmospheric aerosols and can be made of directly emitted particles like dust, sea salt, and viruses; or formed in the atmosphere out of molecules... click to read more