More bacteria resulted in fewer mutations.
"We discovered that the rate at which E. coli (some of who can cause diarrhoea) mutates depends upon how many 'friends' it has around. It seems that more lonely organisms are more likely to mutate," said Chris Knight from University of Manchester.
This change of the mutation rate is controlled by a form of social communication known as quorum sensing - this is the way bacteria communicate to let each other know how much of a crowd there is.
This involves the release of signalling molecules by bacteria when in a dense population to help the organisms understand their surrounding environment and coordinate behaviour to improve their defence mechanisms and adapt to the availability of nutrients.
The rate of mutation was found to be dependent on the gene luxS which is known to be involved in quorum sensing in a wide range of bacteria.
The study appeared in the journal Nature Communications.
RESULT
Read ''Lonely' bacteria develop greater resistance to antibiotics' on Yahoo News India. London, May 1 (IANS) Contrary to what we generally tend to assume, lonely
'Lonely' bacteria develop greater resistance to antibiotics
Lonely bacteria increase risk of antibiotic resistance (The University of Manchester) (Source: The University of Manchester ) 29 Apr 2014 Scientists
'Lonely' Bacteria Develop Greater Resistance to Antibiotics
London: Contrary to what we generally tend to assume, lonely microbes may be more dangerous as they are more likely to mutate, resulting in higher rates of
'Lonely' bacteria develop greater resistance to antibiotics
'Lonely' bacteria develop greater resistance to antibiotics London, May 1 (IANS) Contrary to what we generally tend to assume, lonely microbes may be
'Lonely' bacteria develop greater resistance to antibiotics
'Lonely' bacteria develop greater resistance to antibiotics. London, May 1 : Contrary to what we generally tend to assume, lonely microbes may be more dangerous as
'Lonely' bacteria develop greater resistance to antibiotics
'Lonely' bacteria develop greater resistMore bacteria resulted in fewer mutations."We discovered that the rate at which E. coliThis change of the mutation
'Lonely' bacteria increase risk of antibiotic resistance ...
ability of bacteria to develop the resistance bacteria to develop the resistance to antibiotics. lonely' bacteria developed greater resistance to
'Lonely' bacteria increase risk of antibiotic resistance
Meanwhile more 'lonely' bacteria developed greater resistance to the the environment and the ability of bacteria to develop the resistance to antibiotics.
'lonely' bacteria more likely to become antibiotic-resistant
The more lonely bacteria mutated more, and developed greater resistance to the well-known antibiotic Rifampicin, used to treat tuberculosis.
'Lonely' bacteria increase risk of antibiotic resistance
whilst more 'lonely' bacteria developed greater resistance to 'Lonely' bacteria increase risk of antibiotic of bacteria to develop the resistance
