Bacteria talk to each other to glow and infect
Bacteria use a communication system called quorum sensing to coordinate group behaviors like light production and infection, acting as a unified force when their population reaches a critical density.
Bacteria communicate through a process called quorum sensing, coordinating group behaviors like light production. They release tiny signaling molecules, and when enough bacteria are present, these molecules reach a threshold, triggering changes in gene expression. This allows them to act as a unified group, not just individual cells. For example, Vibrio fischeri bacteria only glow brightly when they gather in large numbers inside fish or squid, providing camouflage or attracting prey for their hosts. This fascinating communication system, first observed in the 1970s, helps bacteria survive, form protective communities, and even cause infections. Scientists are now exploring ways to disrupt quorum sensing to combat bacterial infections.