Summary: Scrambling Bacterial Social Networks to Cure Infections Episode 56 - by Stefanie Vogt (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) Humans are newcomers to the world of social networking – bacteria have been using social networks for millions of years! Bacteria communicate with each other to monitor their own numbers, and this census-taking is critical during the infection process. New research indicates that blocking bacterial social networks could help to overcome antibiotic resistance and prevent infections. Listen to the podcast to learn more! Sources: O’Loughlin et al. (2013) A quorum sensing inhibitor blocks Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence and biofilm formation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 110: 17981-17986. TED talk by Bonnie Bassler: How bacteria “talk” Astrosquid! Post on Sciblogs by Siouxsie Wiles Stefanie Vogt is a postdoctoral fellow studying microbiology at the University of British Columbia and an alumna of the 2012 Banff Science Communications Program. She has shared her love of science with thousands of kids by organizing science competitions, science activities in rural Alberta, and a science-themed Harry Potter Day. Follow her on Twitter: @StefanieVogt.
