Scientists aim to decode 'speech' of germs

Published on Sunday 8 November 2009 21:40

SCIENTISTS studying how bacteria evolve have been watching germs "talk" and are even beginning to translate their language.

Researchers in the US used an advanced imaging technique to observe signalling molecules being exchanged between bugs.

Next they plan to develop a "bacterial dictionary" that will reveal exactly what the microbes are saying.

Study leader Dr Pieter Dorrestein, from the University of California at San Diego, said: "Scientists tend to study the metabolic exchange of bacteria one molecule at a time.

"Actually, such exchanges by microbes are much more complex, involving ten, 20 or even 50 molecules at one time. Now we can capture that complexity. We want to understand how those bacteria interact with our cells."

Bacteria communicate by secreting molecules that give other bugs messages such as "stop growing" or "come closer, I can supply you with nutrients".

The researchers hope the work, reported in Nature Chemical Biology, will aid drug discovery.