Experts in the innovative field of “synthetic biology” engineered a strain of E.coli that could detect signs of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of infection that can be fatal to patients with weak immune systems.
Their specially designed bacteria then produced a toxin that is lethal to the bug, before blowing themselves apart like bombs and splattering the substance over the surrounding area.
When added to a culture of P. aeruginosa in lab tests, the artificial E.coli destroyed 99 per cent of its targets and prevented the formation of biofilms - slimy communities of bacteria which are difficult to destroy - by up to 90 per cent. Full story
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