sciencedaily | Fresh
discoveries about how bacteria co-operate with each other when causing
infection could help scientists identify animal diseases that might
transmit to people.
Bugs that can co-operate best with each other are most likely to be
able to jump to new species, including humans, a new study shows.
Bacteria interact by releasing molecules to help them adapt to their
environment -- for example, when killing competing infections in their
victim. They co-ordinate these actions by releasing tiny amounts of
chemicals as signals.
Bacteria that can co-operate to create an environment in which they
can thrive are potentially able to infect lots of different species,
including humans. Discovering why some diseases are better equipped to
infect more species than others -- and therefore could affect humans --
could be valuable in predicting and managing health threats.
Most new human infections arise from diseases that transmit from
animals to humans. Many of these cause serious infections and are
difficult to control, such as anthrax and the superbug MRSA.
Research led by the University of Edinburgh used a combination of
mathematical models and scientific analysis of genetic code in almost
200 types of bacteria. They found that those bugs that carry lots of
genes that help them to co-operate are best equipped to adapt to various
environments.
Dr Luke McNally of the University of Edinburgh' School of Biological
Sciences, who led the study, said: "Humans have been able to colonise
almost all of their planet by collectively modifying the environment to
suit themselves. Our study shows bugs try to do the same -- co-operation
is important for the spread of bacteria to new species."
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