Bacteria created using mirror images of natural biomolecules would pose a grave threat to life on Earth, some researchers warn, but a new study suggests they would struggle to survive in the wild
Bacteria created using mirror images of natural biomolecules would pose a grave threat to life on Earth, some researchers warn, but a new study suggests they would struggle to survive in the wild
By James Woodford
29 May 2026
Microbes engineered in the lab could use mirror images of molecules found in nature
THOM LEACH/Science Photo Library / Alamy
Attack of the “Flesh-Eating” Bacteria
Preparing for future AI capabilities in biology
Our Warming Planet Is a Petri Dish for New and Deadly Microbes
Scientists determine how mysterious acids give bacteria their shape
Scientists focus on genetically engineering mice to cut Lyme disease transmission
Scientists create new antibiotic that could help treat drug resistant infections
Why The Next Era Of Biomanufacturing Will Be Won By Intelligence
In a giant feat of genetic engineering, scientists have created bacteria that make proteins in a radically different way than all…
From the daily newsletter: amid rising global temperatures, microbes are becoming more deadly.
Imagine synthetic bacterial supplements that could regulate the gut microbiome, controlled via Bluetooth to treat conditions from…
Microorganisms behave differently in the lab, so researchers designed nanocultures to cultivate them in their natural…
Lab-made genomes are within reach. Are we okay with that?AI.
Scientists are debating whether to limit biological AI software to ward off threats.
