New mechanisms for bacterial motility and DNA transfer between bacteria decoded

Biology: Publications in Cell Discovery und PNAS

Bacteria are constantly moving by help of motility organs called flagella or pili to colonize new niches. Also, bacteria can exchange information, like “speaking to each other”, and thus acquire new abilities through the exchange of DNA materials. These motility organs play important roles in DNA uptake to exchange genetic information between different bacteria, allowing what’s so-called genomic plasticity. Therefore, bacterial motility organs contribute to bacterial pathogenicity, colonizing hosts, biofilm formation and spreading of antibiotics resistance.

Quelle: IDW Informationsdienst Wissenschaft