In the past it has only been possible to test bacteria's resistance to antibiotics by conducting laborious individual tests. Now a research team working on the National Research Programme "Antibiotic Resistance" (NRP 49) has developed a simple, low-cost microchip that can test Gram-positive bacteria for all known resistance genes within a matter of hours. Until now it has taken hours to conduct such tests. The disposable chip is suitable for mass production and can be used to monitor the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in clinics and the animal and food industries.
Switzerland's Alpine meadows conceal a huge diversity of underground fungi that can be used to help regrass ski slopes or prevent erosion in at-risk areas. This has been proven for the first time by Basel-based biologist Fritz Oehl in the National Research Programme "Landscapes and Habitats of the Alps". The fungi in question live in symbiotic association with plant roots, forming what are now as arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM). Scientists used to assume that AM played no role in the alpine altitudinal belt. Fritz Oehl not only established that 60 of the 200 known AM are to be found in the Alps, he also discovered several new species. His results have considerable practical significance, since these underground fungi stimulate plant growth and can therefore be successfully used to help prevent erosion and regrass ski slopes, for example. Preliminary trials in the St. Moritz and Davos areas have been successful.
