Single Atom Has Power Over How Bacteria Walk

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered that a single atom - a calcium, has power over how bacteria walk.

Bacteria can swim, propelling themselves through fluids using a whip-like extension called a flaggella. They can also walk, strolling along solid surfaces using little fibrous legs called pili.

Bacteria 'could Reduce Addictiveness of Cocaine'
The discovery of Cocaine esterase, CocE, a naturally occurring bacterial enzyme could be used to tackle cocaine addiction, claim scientists.

It is this motility that enables some pathogenic bacteria to establish the infections - such as meningitis - that cause their human hosts to get sick or even die

By resolving the structure of a protein involved in the movement of the opportunitistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the researchers identified a spot on the bacteria, that when blocked, can stop it in its tracks.

According to researchers, the finding identifies a key step in the process by which bacteria infect their hosts, and could one day lead to new drug targets to prevent infection.

Prying on "bacterial Gossip" Could Improve Chronic Wound Healing
Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York, give a trick to improve chronic wound care-just listen to bacterial conversations.

"When it comes down to it, a single atom makes all the difference," said senior study author Matthew R. Redinbo, professor of chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics at UNC.

The findings appear in the Dec. 28, 2009, early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Common Bacteria Could Cut Spread of Mosquito-Borne Disease
A common type of bacteria could help curtail the spread of mosquito-borne diseases by making the pests more resistant to infection, according to a study published Thursday in the US journal Cell.

Source-ANI
SAV

Multi-drug Resistant Bacterium in Urinary Tract Infections Creates Scare Worldwide
There is concern, over a dramatic increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria responsible for causing urinary tract infections, being raised by experts.