Animals steal defenses from bacteria: Microbe toxin genes have jumped to ticks, mites and other animals
Monday, November 24, 2014 - 11:30
in Biology & Nature
It's a dog eat dog world, and bacteria have been living in it for a long time. It's of no surprise that bacteria have a sophisticated arsenal to compete with each other for valuable resources in the environment. In 2010, work led by University of Washington Department of Microbiology Associate Professor Joseph Mougous uncovered a weaponry system used in this warfare between bacteria. The combatants inject deadly toxins into rival cells.