But virtually all other cells have a primary cilium. Likewise, for many years it was generally assumed that the entire phylum Nematoda, comprising roundworms, completely lacked cilia or flagella.

Shelby is an Assistant Editor for The Scientist. She earned her PhD from West Virginia University in immunology and microbiology and completed an AAAS Mass Media fellowship. View Full Profile. Learn ...

The study shows that in liquid environments, where bacteria rely on movement to navigate, the rotation of flagella acts as ... in a specific subset of donor cells, which then form clusters with ...