Fossil Microbiome

Novel microbes

Within buried dinosaur bone, 46 new strains of bacteria and archaea were discovered. They present an unusual community composition and interesting metabolisms.

Study: Liang et al. 2020. Environmental Microbiome

Media: Scientific American, briefly mentioned in response to another study in Gizmodo.

Dinosaur bones contain modern microbes

While buried, dinosaur bones attract diverse, living microbial communities that can complicate attempts to identify ancient organic material.

Study: Saitta et al. 2019. eLife

Press Release: Field Museum

Media: The Atlantic, The Scientist, Chemical & Engineering News, briefly mentioned in I Know Dino as well as in response to other studies in The Conversation & twice in Gizmodo.

Podcasts: The Skeptics Guide to the Universe, Palaeocast

My Summary: The Science Breaker

Coauthor Summary: The Conversation

Palaeocast interview
Collecting Centrosaurus bones using aseptic tools (Photo by Kentaro Chiba)