Bacteria’s antibiotic-evading super polymers do best in harsh conditions of the gut

Low-Res_F-pili.jpg

Source: Jonasz Patkowski

New research has shown that gut bacteria’s extracellular appendages known as F-pili are  stronger in the turbulent conditions of the gut, helping the bacteria transfer resistance genes to each other more efficiently and to clump into ‘biofilms’ – protective bacterial consortia – that help them fend off antibiotics.

 Registered users, subscribers or members - SIGN IN

To continue reading this article

Membership

Included as a benefit

Members of Applied Microbiology International have unlimited access to The Microbiologist as a benefit of membership. Just sign in with your usual membership credentials.

I AM A MEMBER

Find out more about how to join.

 

Register

FREE

Want to read more before deciding on a subscription? It only takes a minute to sign up for a free account and you’ll get to enjoy more free content each month.

REGISTER

 

Subscribe

3.75 per month / £35 annually

Get unlimited access to The Microbiologist.

SUBSCRIBE