Silicone sponge captures unknown micro organism

From human intestines to the underside of the ocean: Microorganisms populate practically any habitat, regardless of how hostile it’s. Their nice number of survival methods is of big potential in biotechnology. Most of those organisms, nonetheless, are unknown, as a result of they can’t be cultivated. To make higher use of this ‘microbial darkish matter’, a group of researchers has now developed a ‘sponge’ made from porous, formable silicone. Embedded in a chip, the fabric sucks up microorganisms within the environment, which may then be utilized for additional analysis.