In Microcosm, I write about how E. coli communicate with each other (and can eavesdrop on us). Here’s a great talk by Bonnie Bassler from Princeton on her pioneering work on microbial conversations, and why they’re so important to the rest of life on Earth.
About The Loom
Carl Zimmer writes about science regularly for the New York Times and magazines such as Discover, where he is a contributing editor and columnist.
He is the author of seven books, the most recent of which is The Tangled Bank: An Introduction To Evolution. His website is carlzimmer.com and his address is [ blog at carlzimmer dot com ].
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Books by Carl Zimmer
The Tangled Bank is the best written and best illustrated introduction to evolution of the Darwin centennial decade, and also the most conversant with ongoing research.--E. O. Wilson, Harvard University
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"Superb...quietly revolutionary"--Boston Globe
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"Fascinating...thrilling... Zimmer has produced a top-notch work of popular science."--Los Angeles Times
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"As thorough as it is graceful...This is as fine a book as one will find on the subject."--Scientific American
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"A book capable of changing how we see the world."--The Los Angeles Times
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"A fascinating story, which Zimmer unfolds as a tale of high-stakes scientific sleuthing."--Booklist
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April 8th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I am halfway through reading “Microcosm: E. coli And The New Science of Life” and I am enjoying it and learning as I read.
This is a very good book, terrific research. Thanks Carl.
Bassler’s talk is fascinating. Anti-quorum sensing molecule – not quite a catchy name though. (antiquosmole? and proquosmole?)
April 8th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
This is great stuff. I am going to have to know more about this. So I just ordered the book. If it doesn’t live up to my expectations I’m going to eat it though.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
There are some great films made in the 1950s about Myxobacteria and the results of their communication.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Thank you for pointing us to Bassler’s presentation, and to the TED series as a whole. What an incredible collection of speeches and performances! None are over 18 minutes in length, and cover many topics that I’m sure your readers will enjoy. ted.com is now just below The Loom in my favorites list!