To Fight Bacteria, Coat Everything In Mucus
Biofilm Wikimedia CommonsBodily fluids have evolved for millions of years to fight bacteria, so why not harness them, like in your toothpaste?! Bodily fluids are not the first thing that come to mind when you're looking for a disinfectant. But mucus is surprisingly good at preventing bacterial growth--never mind that it's a nasty side effect of infection on its own. A type of polymer found in mucus--known as mucin--can trap bacteria and prevent them from clumping together into a hard-to-remove biofilm, MIT scientists say. Biofilms are the bane of hospitals' existence, because they consist of large colonies of bacteria living in slimy layers that can be very difficult to eradicate. Mucus protein can help. It makes a lot of sense when you think about it: Mucus is a defensive mechanism, protecting our noses, mouths, eyes and other membranes from would-be invaders. The thing is that no one has been sure...