This Microbe Breathes Two Ways! The Bacteria That Challenge Biochemistry

Join host Beth Johnson on SETI Live as she talks with Dr. Eric Boyd from the University of Montana about a groundbreaking discovery: microbes that can breathe in two ways at once! These extraordinary bacteria simultaneously perform both aerobic (oxygen-based) and anaerobic (sulfur-based) respiration, challenging everything we thought we knew about cellular life. Discover how this incredible metabolic flexibility reshapes our understanding of life on Earth, inspires biotechnology innovations, and even informs the search for extraterrestrial life. 🔬 Featured Research: Quanta Magazine overview: https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-cells-that-breathe-two-ways-20250723/ Original study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56418-4 Dr. Boyd's website: http://geoboydology.com/ 💡 Learn how microbes survive extreme environments and why this discovery matters for science and space exploration. (Recorded live 30 October 2025.)