The DNA of bacteria that live in the body can pass a trait to offspring in a way similar to the parents’ own DNA, a new mouse study suggests. According to the School of Medicine authors, the discovery means scientists need to consider a significant new factor – microbial DNA– in their efforts to understand how genes influence health.

Ampersand Week, the first weeklong celebration of the liberal arts at Washington University, will be held Feb. 21-28 and will include a presentation by the hosts of the popular public radio program Radiolab. Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich will be in Graham Chapel Thursday, Feb. 26, for the Assembly Series.

David A. Peters, PhD, recalls being motivated at 10 years old by the Russian satellite Sputnik. He went on to become a space engineer and has made significant contributions to helicopter research. Peters, the McDonnell Douglas Professor of Engineering, has now set his sights on “green aviation.”

A new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides an overview of the global financial system and how it supports economic growth and creates opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs and individuals. The author is Anjan Thakor, PhD, the John E. Simon Professor of Finance at Olin Business School.

Kevin Herbert, PhD, professor emeritus of classics in Arts & Sciences, died Tuesday, Feb. 10. He was 93. Among other accomplishments, he had served as curator of the Wulfing Coin Collection — one of the largest university collections of ancient Greek and Roman coins — and as chair of classics.