Suicide Bomber Bacteria engineered

Recently, researchers in the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore engineered a strain of E. Coli that can detect signs of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of infection that can be fatal to patients with weak immune systems. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a hospital superbug resistant to antibiotics. This specially designed bacteria produces a toxin that is lethal to the superbug, before blowing themselves apart like bombs and splattering the substance over the surrounding area. When added to a culture of P aeruginosa in lab tests, the artificial E Coli destroyed 99% of its targets and prevented the formation of biofilms — slimy communities of bacteria which are difficult to destroy — by up to 90%. This development can lead to a new approach to tackling drug-resistant infections. ^{(The Daily Telegraph)}

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2011