There are some diseases that we associate with past centuries, such as the black plague. But the plague is a relative newcomer when compared to some of the oldest outbreaks. See more »

Molecular biology isn't all fun and games -- except when it is. How did a bunch of gamers handily solve a decade-old problem in three weeks flat? See more »

Biofilms form when single microorganisms attach to a hydrated surface and undergo a "lifestyle switch." But why should we care about biofilms? See more »

The human body is composed of about 10 trillion cells. Everything from reproduction to infections to repairing a broken bone happens down at the cellular level. Find out all about cells. See more »

Like the one ring of power in Tolkien's fantasy trilogy, "Lord of the Rings," deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the master molecule of every cell. From its structure to what it does, learn all about DNA. See more »

Phone calls, e-mails, sign language, friendly shouts -- this is how we communicate in our daily lives. Some of the tiniest organisms on Earth, bacteria have a different way of talking. See more »

Are you the first to complain when it's too hot or too cold at work? Extremophiles have news for you: Suck it up. These hardy microbes make most of us humans seem like whimpering Goldilocks, and studying them may tell us more than you might imagine. See more »

Pasteurization is the process of removing harmful pathogens from various types of food. How was this process discovered? See more »

You may be familiar with the medieval 'Black Plague," but did you know that bouts of plague still break out today? Find out what causes an outbreak, learn why plague still exists and explore how the plague has influenced history. See more »

We hear about them on the news and we listen to politicians argue for and against them using them to treat disease. Learn all about stem cells and the research, challenges and controversy that surround them. See more »