Adaptive mutation mechanism may explain some forms of antibiotic resistance
Tuesday, August 25, 2015 - 14:00
in Biology & Nature
Evolutionary theory says mutations are blind and occur randomly. But in the phenomenon of adaptive mutation, cells can peek under the blindfold, increasing their mutation rate in response to stress. Scientists have observed that an apparent 'back channel' for genetic information called retromutagenesis can encourage adaptive mutation to take place in bacteria.