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Metal Liker Unforgiven

07 July 2026

Metal Liker Unforgiven

We need trace metals for healthy cell function but then so do all other organisms, handily we have a means of safeguarding the supply of certain metals which doubles as an anti-pathogen strategy. A protein in the mammalian gut lining cells called natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 2 (also known as SLC11A2) starves pathogenic microrganisms of iron and manganese – shown here using Salmonella enterica (in red) as a model in cow gut, with metals tracked using fluorescent sensors

Read the published research article here

Written by Lindsey Goff

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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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