One of the most exciting moments in my years as a research doctoral candidate at Dartmouth Medical School was when I learned that microbes engage in their own survival strategies. Many bacteria, for example produce bacteriocins, positively charged peptides that can kill or inhibit other bacteria. Some bacteriocins, particularly those from Gram-negative bacteria, exhibit structural similarities to eukaryotic defensins, the antimicrobial peptides produced by higher life forms including humans.
This is very cool information Cassandra. Thank you for posting it.
One of the most exciting moments in my years as a research doctoral candidate at Dartmouth Medical School was when I learned that microbes engage in their own survival strategies. Many bacteria, for example produce bacteriocins, positively charged peptides that can kill or inhibit other bacteria. Some bacteriocins, particularly those from Gram-negative bacteria, exhibit structural similarities to eukaryotic defensins, the antimicrobial peptides produced by higher life forms including humans.
Yes! Exactly! Microbial warfare is happening all around us and now we can tap into those weapons to develop new drugs to fight infections.
...around us and inside us...