
PRINCETON, N.J., June 23 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists, for the first time, say they have discovered bacteria do not just react to environmental changes, but can anticipate and prepare for them.
Princeton University Associate Professor Saeed Tavazoie and researchers Ilias Tagkopoulos and Yir-Chung Liu collaborated to challenge the prevailing notion that only organisms with complex nervous systems have this ability.
"What we have found is the first evidence that bacteria can use sensed cues from their environment to infer future events," said Tavazoie.
The research team, which included biologists and engineers, used lab experiments to demonstrate the phenomenon in common bacteria and used computer simulations to explain how a microbe species' internal network of genes and proteins could evolve over time to produce such complex behavior.
The scientists said their findings might have many practical implications. They could help scientists understand how bacteria mutate to develop resistance to antibiotics and they might also help in developing specialized bacteria to perform useful tasks such as cleaning environmental contamination.
The research is detailed in the June 6 issue of the journal Science.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Additional Science News Stories | |
UMEA, Sweden, Feb. 14 (UPI) --
A 29-year-old Swedish man faces multiple charges for pretending he was kidnapped to extort money from his parents, police said.
|
NEW YORK, Feb. 14 (UPI) --
The 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, with Kate Upton gracing the cover, appeared on U.S. newsstands, as well as SI.com/Swimsuit Tuesday.
|
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 14 (UPI) --
U.S. researchers say they've discovered the molecular secret of an effective ancient Chinese herbal remedy commonly prescribed for malaria.
|
BRISBANE, Australia, Feb. 14 (UPI) --
An Australian man who bared his buttocks to Queen Elizabeth during the monarch's visit to the country was fined $800.
|
| Stories | Photos | People | Comments |
View Caption