Search for new antibiotics advanced by discovery of key processes within bacterial protein
Monday, April 15, 2013 - 06:50
in Biology & Nature
(Phys.org) —Scientists have discovered how bacteria transport the tiny hair-like strands, called pili, which cover their outer surface from the inside of the cell, where they are assembled, to the exterior. Pili are a key target for a new generation of antibiotics, as without them the bacteria are unable to group together and to stick to human cells causing infection.