Researchers have visualized in 3D the key process by which bacteria acquire
During conjugation, bacteria can exchange genetic information that looks like DNA fragments. For example, these are genes that help withstand the attacks of conventional antimicrobial drugs.
The authors created imaging to find ways to stop this process and reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
The study of the conjugation process began as early as the 1940s, but the atomic details underlying the mechanism were unknown. Now scientists have presented a key part of this process for the first time.
The results of our work laid the foundation forresearch into how drug resistance is transmitted between bacteria. This information can also be used to suppress antibiotic resistance.
Thiago Costa, MRC Center for Molecular Bacteriology and Infections
Images obtained using cryoelectronicmicroscopy showed that the outer membrane core complex consists of two concentric rings of proteins. This structure is highly flexible. This is what helps her transmit and receive information.
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