A group of scientists studying the ways plant-associated bacteria interact were surprised to find that strains predicted to be more sensitive to bacteria were able to coexist with aggressor strains.

New research shows that a large, ubiquitous mobile genetic element changes the antagonistic weaponry of Bacteroides fragilis, a common bacterium of the human gut. Bacteria evolve rapidly in the human ...

Countless bacterial species share cramped environments where competition for space and resources is fierce. Some rely on a molecular speargun to outcompete their opponents. One of them is Pseudomonas ...

Commensal bacteria, the normal flora in the digestive tract, have a multitude of functions and are critical to health. One of those functions is keeping harmful or pathogenic bacteria out of our guts.

Some bacteria deploy tiny spearguns to retaliate against rival attacks. Researchers at the University of Basel have mimicked attacks by poking bacteria with an ultra-sharp tip. Using this approach, ...

New research from EPFL, Switzerland, offers fresh insights into how some gut bacteria protect themselves against deadly cholera infection opening doors for the design of probiotic strains that can ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Bacteria operate by a pretty simple set of biological commands ...

Bacteria can be ruthless. A new study has shown that when their survival is threatened because of food scarcity, they will kill and consume neighboring microbes. The work, which was reported in ...