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Snug Bugs
16 December 2015

Snug Bugs

Some types of bacteria protect themselves by banding together and forming biofilm, a slimy coating that sticks to surfaces and gums up human tissue, making it harder for your natural defences or drugs to zap the infection. An important discovery about biofilms has been made during a study of the common hospital infection, Pseudomonas aeruginosa – these unpleasant bugs are pictured (false coloured green) atop a biofilm (purple) which is shielding a large colony beneath. Scientists found that once the biofilm was complete, the bacteria produced an enzyme called oligoribonuclease. This neutralises a substance called cyclic-di-GMP, which is made by bacteria to control biofilm production. The results of the study suggest that oligoribonuclease could be used to design new antibiotics, disinfectants and surface treatments to control biofilms.

Written by Mick Warwicker

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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