SOIL 1 (IMAGE) Rice University Caption Rice University graduate student Hsiao-Ying (Shelly) Cheng led a project to develop two-stage microbial sensors that can observe and report on gene expression and the bioavailability of nutrients in environments like soil and fluids without disturbing them. Credit Jeff Fitlow/Rice University Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.