Bakterien: die Mini-Siegfrieds

An article about bacterial communication and quorum sensing. The text explains how bacteria establish themselves and multiply rapidly, communicating through signaling molecules. When a bacterial population reaches a certain threshold, the community changes behavior by turning genes on and off, most significantly building a mucous membrane (biofilm). The article discusses quorum sensing (QS) research by microbiologist Leo Eberl from the University of Zurich, focusing on identifying genes regulated by QS that are involved in biofilm formation. The research aims to find active agents that interrupt communication between bacteria and their teamwork. The article mentions Ajoen, a molecule isolated from garlic, and other QS-inhibiting substances found in medicinal plants and spices, suggesting plants have defense mechanisms against pathogenic bacteria that coordinate attacks via QS.