Bacteria microscope image

Bacteria have feelings, too

Aug. 15, 2017

For humans, our sense of touch is relayed to the brain via small electrical pulses. Now, CU Boulder scientists have found that individual bacteria, too, can feel their external environment in a similar way. In a new study, CU Boulder researchers have demonstrated that E. coli bacteria cells get excited...

Joel Kralj is using fluorescent proteins to reveal how bacterial use electricity to stay alive.

Cracking the code on bacterial voltage

April 13, 2015

Searle Scholars Award winner is cracking the code on bacterial voltage Electric voltage powers life – Our brains use electrical transients to process every thought; every heartbeat arises from voltage changes in heart cells. Despite its importance, voltage changes in bacteria were never really studied because the cells were just...

lab

CU is heading to Boston for the iGEM Jamboree

Jan. 29, 2015

In just a few days, members from our team will be boarding a plane to Boston. When we arrive, we are participating in an annual synthetic biology competition against both foreign and domestic teams at an international conference, held by the International Genetically Engineered Machines Foundation (iGEM). There we will...

The 2013 iGEM Buffs took home a regional award for their work, now published in ACS Synthetic Biology. The 2014 competed at the international level and took home a Silver Award.

CU Boulder Wins Silver at 2014 iGEM

Jan. 29, 2015

CU-Boulder Student Team Wins Silver at Premiere Biology Competition The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) event is the top synthetic biology competition in the world and the CU-Boulder team wanted to make an impact at this year’s competition in Boston. Last year’s 2013 Buffs iGEM team was successful, winning a...

Lights, Cells, Action!

Oct. 19, 2011

Lights, Cells, Action! One of the best ways to really see something is to turn on the lights. Amy Palmer, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biofrontiers Institute faculty member, is the kind of professor that can shine a light on subjects for her students, and...