Megan Behringer
Vanderbilt Researchers Show Some Anaerobic Bacteria Have Surprisingly High Mutation Rates
Feb. 17, 2026—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Ask any biologist what causes DNA mutations, and oxygen will likely make the shortlist. It is reactive, super-abundant, and has been fingered as a major culprit in genetic damage for decades. So, here is a head-scratcher: if oxygen is such a DNA troublemaker, bacteria that avoid it entirely...
Evolved in the Lab, Found in Nature: Uncovering Hidden pH Sensing Abilities
Sep. 20, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator In a groundbreaking study led by Sarah Worthan, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Behringer Lab at Vanderbilt University, scientists have successfully evolved microbial cultures that possess the ability to sense pH changes, enabling rapid responses to environmental fluctuations. Along with highlighting the power of lab-driven evolution, this...
Researchers Reveal Insights into Bacterial Genome Evolution
Oct. 15, 2023—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies Scientific Coordinator In a new study led by graduate student Carl Stone and his advisor, assistant professor of biological sciences, Megan Behringer, the team studied the effects of DNA repair pathways on genome-wide methylated DNA adenines (6mA). 6mA is a modification to DNA such that a methyl group is added...
“The Hunger Games: E. coli edition” demonstrates how mutualism and cooperative behavior shape species
May. 20, 2022—Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies Initiative scientific coordinator Bacteria, not unlike humans, can take up more resources than necessary. When this happens, synthesized byproducts can leak into the environment. This allows the nearby bacteria to evolve cooperative behaviors, such as using the byproducts as nutrients. Cooperation in bacterial communities has also been previously observed with behaviors...