Scientists have found bacteria that move by touch

The researchers noted that many bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, crawl along

surfaces using movements calledtwitching. They use nanoscale filaments as a source of energy for twitching, but scientists do not know which sensory signals coordinate the movements of microbes.

Now researchers from the FederalThe Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL) discovered that the bacteria Pseudomonas use a mechanism similar to the human sense of touch to navigate the surface. "This study is changing our understanding of bacterial motility," notes senior author Alexander Persat of EPFL.

The researchers focused on howbacteria sense and react to mechanical forces. Previous research has shown that Pseudomonas uses a kind of harpoon: after it extends and touches the surface, the saws activate a molecular motor that pulls in the filament, thereby propelling the cell forward.

Scientists found DNA fragments of unknown origin in soil

Scientists have also analyzed how individualPseudomonas bacteria move along surfaces, such as the bottom of a laboratory saucer. The team suggested that the protein network regulates twitching, so they analyzed bacteria that were missing various components of the system. Some of these bacteria could hardly move, continuing to jerk back and forth; others always moved forward, even when they hit an obstacle.

Research findings can have importantconsequences for human health. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a microorganism that is commonly found in soil and is one of the main causes of nosocomial infections. Clusters of Pseudomonas bacteria commonly form on surfaces such as catheters and respirators and can be extremely resistant to disinfectants and antimicrobials.

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