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Molecular Evolution

Rachel J. Whitaker named Harry E. Preble Professor

For Rachel J. Whitaker, life tends to feel like it’s all hands on deck.  Whitaker, a professor of microbiology, spends much of her time researching the evolution of archaea, bacteria, and viruses in the natural and clinical world—so...

New work provides broader understanding of how bacteria obtain essential nutrients in soil and during infection

In a recently published study from the University of Illinois, researchers have identified a new class of bacterial importers in over 250 species.

Bacteria show their metal: An evolutionary path to survival

An investigation of two closely related proteins from a pathogenic bacterium has illustrated for the first time how evolution can shape the use of essential metals by enzymes.