Quorum-sensing signals control when bacteria turn deadly
Friday, September 19, 2014 - 11:01
in Biology & Nature
No matter how many times it’s demonstrated, it’s still hard to envision bacteria as social, communicating creatures. But by using a signaling system called “quorum sensing,” these single-celled organisms radically alter their behavior to suit their population. Chemists now report that they have been making artificial compounds that mimic the natural quorum-sensing signals.