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Study Finds Some Microbes Drastically Change Behavior Outside the Lab

PMB News

a group of 28 people stand on a staircase with a brass railing

Sep 22, 2026

2026 CALS Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Honored

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences celebrated its alumni award winners on Sept. 18. From the field to the lab, find out how they’re making an impact. 
a group of people stand in front of a building with red signs that say nc state university college of agriculture and life sciences

Sep 19, 2026

NC State Alumnus Establishes Full Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in Agriculture Majors

A $10 million gift from NC State alumnus David Peele will give students from eastern North Carolina the opportunity to attend NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with the full cost of attendance covered – and spend four years immersed in the research, mentorship and experiences preparing them to lead the future of agriculture. 
Three people sit around a table conversing.

Sep 11, 2026

Defining a Future Career

Kaleb Harmon is entering his second year of the Masters of Microbial Biotechnology (MMB) Program at NC State with newfound enthusiasm about his future career. 

Sep 8, 2026

Fire in the Northernmost Longleaf Pine Forests

Drive across the coastal plain of North Carolina and you might pass through open woods dominated by tall pine trees and grasses. Look closely and you might spot trunks stained… 
Soil.

Sep 3, 2026

Study Shows Microbes – Dead or Alive – Can Be Early Measures of Soil Health

Researchers have demonstrated a series of biological tests that could serve as “proxies” for measuring how different regenerative agriculture practices could improve soil carbon – years before it would be possible to measure the carbon directly. The technique offers new insights into how effective various regenerative practices are at improving soil health.  The phenomenon is… 
15 people pose in front of trees and bushes for a group photo

Sep 3, 2026

BeeMORE Program Kept Research Buzzing All Summer

From automated bioacoustic monitoring of pollinators to investigating bacteria found in the honeybee gut, NC State’s BeeMORE undergraduate research program kept pollinator labs across the university buzzing this summer. 
A woman smiles standing next to a scientific poster.

Sep 1, 2026

Creating Protein Purification Solutions with AI

Immersive industry experience is a hallmark of the Master of Microbial Biotechnology. Jade Bain-Wood spent her summer at Biogen in the Research Triangle Park developing a novel way to improve biomanufacturing with AI. 
Corn growing in the field.

Aug 24, 2026

Plants on Defense

Researchers in the departments of Plant and Microbial Biology and Entomology and Plant Pathology are zeroing in on the genetic processes that underlie disease resistance in corn. 
Seven people pose in a lab.

Aug 18, 2026

Accelerating Agtech Solutions

This summer’s soaring temperatures, raging wildfires, record-setting droughts and major flooding have affected millions of people around the world, demonstrating the devastating effects of shifting climates. Meanwhile, costs are increasing for vital inputs such as fertilizer and fuel. The good news: Agricultural biotechnology innovators are developing potential solutions to these and other industry challenges. 
A pile of corn cobs

Aug 17, 2026

Study Finds Some Microbes Drastically Change Behavior Outside the Lab

A new study is underscoring the importance of studying microbes in their natural setting, rather than relying solely on laboratory research. Researchers found that a set of corn root bacteria behaved completely differently when grown on the plant rather than in a lab, with thousands of proteins changing when placed in their natural habitat. “Historically…