What is life?

As scientific and technological knowledge continue to expand, we grapple with the question 'What is life?' in the latest issue of Microbiology Today. This edition features articles on whether viruses could be considered alive; the possibility of life on Mars; creating 'synthetic' bacteria; and where the Archaea domain might sit in the tree of life. The Comment piece explains the BBSRC's funding for microbiological research.

The video to accompany the issue focuses on archaea and the tree of life.