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Biologists have created a living computer from E. coli bacteria that can solve complex mathematical problems. Computers are evolving – literally. While the tech world argues netbooks vs notebooks, synthetic biologists are leaving traditional computers behind altogether. A team of US scientists have engineered bacteria that could solve complex mathematical problems faster than anything made from silicon.

E. Coli does more than just make people sick — it can also be used to clean up nuclear waste, according to researchers at Birmingham University. The research team found that E. Coli bacteria effectively breaks down phytic acid (a phosphate storage material found in seeds) and releases the phosphate molecules, which bind to uranium to create a uranium phosphate precipitate. The precipitate can be harvested to recover uranium, and voila – no...

There is evidence that life evolved in the deep sediments. ... There is clear evidence that life existed more than 3.8 billion years ago. Although, for there to be a big enough biomass for us to detect it in the rocks, it must have been evolving long before that. ... The normal view of life on Earth is that the majority of life is on the surface, fuelled by sunlight. And you don't expect a large population - even bacteria - to survive...

Bacteria which glow green in the presence of explosives could provide a cheap and safe way to find hidden landmines, Edinburgh scientists claim.

Disinfectants may not just be the problem, they may also be the cure

Barry Marshall changed the face of medical science when he swallowed a petri-dish of dangerous bacteria to prove it caused stomach ulcers. His theory meant that they could be treated with a simple anti-biotic rather than expensive surgery. Dr Marshall also claimed that his research continues to save up to 500,000 lives per year.