Experiments and mathematical modelling show that rare nitrogen fixing symbionts invade a population dominated by non-fixing bacteria across plant generations, above a threshold of a combination of ecological factors.

X-ray crystal structures capture ATP-dependent chalcogenide exchange from selenocyanate at the nitrogenase Fe protein cluster in the absence of the MoFe protein, an unexpected result as the Fe protein cluster is not traditionally perceived as a site of substrate binding.

Melainabacteria, a candidate phylum related to Cyanobacteria, has been identified in gut and sediment samples by genomic analysis.

Lotus japonicus chitinase modulates the level of rhizobial Nod factor and thereby enables cortical infection and functional symbiosis in root nodules.

The amination network for the distribution of assimilated ammonium throughout metabolism is defined by promiscuous transaminases, allowing a high flexibility of the network that supported engineering novel connections and even alternative ammonium assimilation entry points.

Life is constrained in its sampling of protein sequence space to catalyze one of the most energetically challenging biochemical reactions.

Methylation specifically enhances the ability of hopanoids to rigidify membranes under physiologically relevant conditions, which impacts the current interpretation of the 2-methylhopane fossil record.

Snap-freezing of brain tissue reveals its true structure-showing that cells are less squashed together, and the connections between neurons are less enclosed than previously thought.