A single atom controls motility required for bacterial infection

Monday, January 4, 2010 - 23:49 in Health & Medicine

Bacteria can swim, propelling themselves through fluids using a whip-like extension called a flaggella. They can also walk, strolling along solid surfaces using little fibrous legs called pili. It is this motility that enable some pathogenic bacteria to establish the infections – such as meningitis – that cause their human hosts to get sick or even die.