IU researchers' findings aid in fight against E Coli bacteria
By
Jun Chung
· Thursday, Dec. 11,2003 1:05 a.m.
A recent study conducted on spontaneous mutations in microorganisms by IU researchers Patricia Foster and Jill Layton may help the effectiveness of antibiotics. Their study indicates that although spontaneous mutations in microorganisms under adverse circumstances are common, the rise in adaptive mutations in Escherichia Coli, a common bacterium found in molecular biology laboratories, is a direct response to a lack of nutrients. At times, mutations in bacteria can cause a resistance to antibiotics. The newfound research provides scientists with more knowledge about mutations in bacteria, which could benefit the effectiveness of drugs in the future.
