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The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) prides itself on giving students an education beyond the classroom. Living labs such as the Cook Farm, where each type of animal has its own practicum course, and the more familiar-looking laboratories (think petri dishes and pipettes) offer experiential learning outside of a traditional lecture hall. During […]
Biochemistry and Microbiology
Bhattacharya Lab Analyzes Genome Sequence of Paulinella, Shedding Light on the Origin of Photosynthesis
Paulinella chromatophora, described in 1895 by the German zoologist Robert Lauterborn, is considered to be one of the first documented cases of endosymbiosis, that is, a “plant-like” cell living inside an “animal-like” cell. Therefore, Paulinella occupies a pivotal position in the endosymbiosis field. However, because this is a rare and difficult to culture single-celled organism, […]
Surprising Coral Spawning Features Revealed
When stony corals have their renowned mass spawning events, in sync with the moon’s cycle, colonies simultaneously release an underwater “cloud” of sperm and eggs for fertilization. But how do the sperm and eggs survive several hours as plankton, given threats from predators, microbes and stresses such as warming waters? A Rutgers-led team has discovered […]
Rutgers-Led “Microbial Noah’s Ark” Should Move to Next Phase, Study Finds
A new study finds that a Rutgers-driven proposal to create a “microbial Noah’s ark” to protect the long-term health of humanity is feasible and should move forward into a pilot project phase. The Microbiota Vault would gather beneficial germs from human populations whose microbiomes are uncompromised by antibiotics, processed diets and other ill effects of […]
SEBS Faculty Sign Open Letter in Science Magazine Opposing U.S. Resumption of Nuclear Weapons Testing
Seventeen Rutgers faculty, including seven from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), are among 70 leading scientists, including several Nobel Laureates and nuclear disarmament advocates, to sign an open letter in Science that opposes U.S. resumption of nuclear weapons testing. The letter, “Uphold the nuclear weapons test moratorium,” opposes the resumption of nuclear […]
Virologist Christopher Mores (CC’95) Spends His Days ‘Hunting The Thing That Wants To Hunt Us’
As the novel coronavirus continues its global rampage, scientists around the world are racing to stop its spread. Dozens of projects have been launched under great pressure to deliver a vaccine as quickly as possible. Among the virologists trying to unlock the pathogen’s secrets is Christopher Mores, the director of a new lab devoted to […]
Rutgers Develops New Portable Tool to Analyze Microbes in the Environment
Device could be used to find threats to ecosystems Imagine a device that could swiftly analyze microbes in oceans and other aquatic environments, revealing the health of these organisms – too tiny to be seen by the naked eye – and their response to threats to their ecosystems. Rutgers researchers have created just such a […]
SEBS Faculty Among Top 50 Rutgers Experts in the News
Media turn to Rutgers experts for insights on current issues, research and trends Rutgers faculty share their knowledge and commitment to academic excellence many ways – through teaching, research, mentorship and service beyond the university community. In addition to scholarly talks and publishing in prestigious journals, many also share their expertise through the news media, […]
City Apartments or Jungle Huts: What Chemicals and Microbes Lurk Inside?
Scientists find more industrial chemicals, fungi in urbanized homes What are the differences between life in a walled urban apartment versus in a jungle hut that’s open to nature? Researchers at Rutgers and other universities found city homes to be rife with industrial chemicals, cleaning agents and fungi that love warm, dark surfaces, while jungle […]
Red Algae Thrive Despite Ancestor’s Massive Loss of Genes
Study may spawn ways to genetically alter and control red seaweeds You’d think that losing 25 percent of your genes would be a big problem for survival. But not for red algae, including the seaweed used to wrap sushi. An ancestor of red algae lost about a quarter of its genes roughly one billion years […]
