They found a mechanism that allows bacteria to become resistant

that resistance to antibiotics it was changed, from time to section, it became a problem for the health sector. Although it is considered that bacteria can achieve it thanks to genetic mutations, a study published in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters offers complementary views.

According to scientists led by Stanford University (United States), the mechanism by which bacteria join may have something to do with this defense. It turns out Bacteria are usually arranged in dense communities. Although this forces them to quickly consume their food reserves, at the same time it allows them to produce a nutrient flow.

"It is as if we are opening the cockpit. There is a stream that drags everything and that is what bacteria do when they form this colony. This allows them, for example, to reproduce and activate themselves, "Francisca Guzmán, lead author of the article, told international media.

In this sense, the set of bacteria creates a flow of nutrients and oxygen that reaches where they are and thus can replenish what they consume by agglomeration. According to work, this organization increases the speed of nutrient uptake, optimizes feeding and activities.

With these findings, the next step is to understand the right way they gather to apply the possible new technologies stop the flow, prevent them from clumping and – possibly – restore some effectiveness to antibiotics. "We found out why it was very difficult to get rid of them," said the researcher.