Together bacteria invade antibiotic landscapes
Antibiotics kill bacteria – or at least they are supposed to, although unfortunately this does not always result in a cure. Scientists at TU Delft's Kavli Institute of Nanoscience have discovered that bacteria can colonise environments in which there are deadly quantities of antibiotics, without becoming genetically resistant. In order to achieve this, the bacteria need to work together in large groups, as individually they would not stand a chance. The research will help scientists to improve their understanding of how bacteria survive when there are local variations in antibiotic concentrations – a situation which occurs in your body when you take an antibiotic tablet. These new insights will enable scientists to understand why antibiotics sometimes fail, and provide cues to improve their effectiveness.