Viruses are clever. They have tricks to adapt to different environments. Some viruses, like alphaviruses, use a special stop signal called an opal codon. This codon helps them balance making proteins and processing them correctly. It's like a tiny thermostat for the virus. The Sindbis virus is one such alphavirus. It uses the opal codon to its advantage. In primate ...

Baculoviruses are tiny, helpful viruses that scientists use in many ways. They help make proteins, create vaccines, and even act as natural pesticides. These viruses need host cells to grow and multiply. The health of these host cells is super important for the viruses to do their job well. But what happens when these host cells get stressed out? That's what some res...

Ever wondered what happens when you switch up genetic experiments? Scientists did just that, testing nine different genetic switches in three varied hosts. Imagine 27 unique combinations! The outcome? The host mattered more than the switch itself. Adjusting switches had a minor impact, while the host made all the difference. It's like having the right team to get the...

Ever heard of bacteria that love the cold? Meet Poseidonibacter antarcticus SM1702. This tiny microbe has developed some pretty amazing survival strategies to cope with Antarctica's freezing temperatures. Researchers discovered that when the thermometer drops, this bacterium increases its protein production. This boosts its energy levels and enhances its ability to a...