How can bacteria help us fight back against bacteria?

  1. Garcia-Gutierrez, Enriqueta
  2. Arbulu, Sara
Journal:
Frontiers for Young Minds

ISSN: 2296-6846

Year of publication: 2021

Volume: 8

Type: Article

DOI: 10.3389/FRYM.2020.558681 GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Frontiers for Young Minds

Abstract

Microbes live everywhere and have an intense social life, interacting with many different species. Like each of us, they must be able to survive in a certain location, and they develop strategies to get what they need. Bacteria, a type of microbe, produce small compounds called bacteriocins that can kill other microbes that they compete with for resources. Bacteriocins can help us solve problems, such as antibiotic resistance or food spoilage. We are already taking advantage of some bacteriocins, like nisin, but many more are to come for health and food applications.

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