Superbug (gered)
By John Bolton
Let's face facts, Salmonella is nobody's friend. It causes food poisoning, it kills around 1 million people per year and, in the world of bacteria, it's a bit of a trollop. Whilst websites on bacterial sex aren't going to be in anyone's Internet favourites, it's a fascinating phenomenon. Salmonella, the little floozy, evolves resistance to antibiotics by having sex with other bugs. And by doing so, it acquires new DNA.
Unfortunately, Salmonella has a failing. A protein called H-NS is the Salmonella equivalent of male pattern baldness. Scientists at the Institute of Food Research in Norwich have discovered that H-NS helps Salmonella to evolve, and the superbug cannot function properly without it. These findings may be the first step towards combating this ruthless bacteria once and for all.
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Unfortunately, Salmonella has a failing. A protein called H-NS is the Salmonella equivalent of male pattern baldness. Scientists at the Institute of Food Research in Norwich have discovered that H-NS helps Salmonella to evolve, and the superbug cannot function properly without it. These findings may be the first step towards combating this ruthless bacteria once and for all.
To read more about John or to view more of his articles click here
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