Scientists investigate how the sense of smell works in bacteria

(Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology) Biophysicists have proposed a universal mechanism for the 'sense of smell' in bacteria. This was done by obtaining the structure of the NarQ protein from Escherichia coli (E. coli). The paper published in Science will help us understand how bacteria 'communicate' with one another and form biofilms on sterile surfaces or inside the human body. Drugs which affect bacteria's 'sense of smell' could potentially be used as substitutes for modern antibiotics.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news