Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
The ribozyme RNase P catalyses maturation of the 5′-end of tRNA and is found in cells from all three domains of life. Kazantsev and Pace summarize what is known about the bacterial RNase P, bringing together recent structural results with biochemical and phylogenetic data.
The computational prediction of the particular cellular compartment that a bacterial protein is destined for is an important aspect of microbiological research. This article discusses the methods currently available to predict bacterial protein localization.
Anaerobic microbial iron oxidation and reduction contributes significantly to soil and sediment biogeochemistry and mineralogy in anaerobic environments. Here, Weber and colleagues review the diversity of microorganisms involved in these processes, and the unique biochemical challenges associated with utilizing an insoluble metal substrate.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the biology of prions, yet many fundamental questions remain unanswered. Aguzzi and Heikenwalder discuss some of these unanswered questions, focusing on the role of the immune system in prion pathogenesis.
This article outlines the recently developed reverse-genetics systems for Borna disease virus (BDV), which will provide a powerful tool for the investigation of thecis-acting signals and trans-acting factors that control BDV RNA replication and gene expression.
Advocates of 'Intelligent Design' cite the bacterial flagellum as an example of an irreducibly complex organelle that cannot have evolved by random mutation and natural selection. Here, the authors present the evidence for an evolutionary origin of flagella.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has had a major impact on the clinical management of HIV-1 infection. However, the emergence of resistant variants requires that follow-up drug regimens be optimized to maximum therapeutic effect. This article focuses on bioinformatics approaches that can be used to support anti-HIV therapy.
