Acetogenic bacteria can convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into useful products, making them promising tools for sustainable biotechnology. Research led by Laura Muñoz and Jo Philips reveals that hydrogen consumption follows a simpler kinetic pattern than previously assumed, while also uncovering major differences between species in how efficiently they operate at low hydrogen levels. Together, these findings provide a clearer framework for selecting and optimising acetogens for industrial applications.

Chemical reactions often demand precise control over their operating conditions to proceed efficiently. While chemists routinely use pH buffers to stabilise acidity levels, far less attention has been directed towards stabilising the electrochemical potential of solutions during oxidation–reduction reactions.
At Emory University, Dr Xinlin Lu, Dr Yurii Geletii, and Prof Craig Hill have pioneered a catalytic system that not only drives chemical reactions, but also acts as its own redox buffer. By automatically maintaining conditions optimal for electron transfers while converting malodorous thiols into odourless compounds, this innovation points to a new generation of catalysts that adjust themselves, delivering both efficiency and environmental benefits.

Avian necrotic enteritis (NE) is one of the most significant intestinal diseases affecting poultry worldwide, particularly broiler chickens. It causes major economic losses due to reduced growth rates, poor feed efficiency, and high mortality. The disease is caused by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens, specifically pathogenic type G strains. Dr Marie-Lou Gaucher from the Université de Montréal and her collaborators have been relentlessly studying ways to develop an effective vaccine against C. perfringens. Their promising findings may lead to innovative vaccination strategies and new methods to manage NE in poultry flocks.