E. coli transgenic to eliminate pathogenic bacteria
2011/11/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
At the Technological University of Singapore there has been a genetic transformation of the bacteria Escherichia coli, capable of destroying the pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To do this, E. col has been given the same weapons as the rival.
In fact, the bacterium P. aeruginosa produces a toxic protein (piocine) to fight bacteria of the same species. Researchers have identified the gene for this toxic protein and introduced it into the E. coli genome.
In addition, E. coli has incorporated the mechanism that uses P. aeruginosa to identify the bacteria of its species. Finally, once the toxin is released, E. coli is subjected to a new gene that forces suicide.
With all this, researchers have managed to build a suicide bomb. At the moment they have tested in vitro and have obtained very good results: Transgenic E. coli killed 99% of P. aeruginosa. However, it remains to be seen whether it is effective and safe in living beings.
