Got the following job posting over e-mail that might be of interest to folks: Postdoc in extremophile community eco-evolution A postdoctoral research position in microbial eco-evolution is available in Dr. Mark Urban’s laboratory at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. The postdoc will join a NASA-funded astrobiology project to explore how immigration, rapid …
Much discussed among microbiogists have been various scenes from the book and film (both excellent), “The Martian”. In short, the protagonist mixes some earth soil, some human feces, and some Martian soil to grow potatoes on Mars. Would this work? Is the feces required? Would you get sick? Are the microbes even needed for plant …
Fascinating little story on PHYSORG about Christopher House wanting to survey microbes in water heaters as a way of studying indoor extremophiles. Definitely worth a look and I may be sending in some samples. See Thermophiles lurking in your basement.