Scientists are studying how bacteria move across surfaces -- a process known as twitching motility. New findings led to the surprising discovery of the key role surface properties play in either ...

New light has been shed on dynamics of asymmetric type IV pili distribution and twitching motility triggered by directional light in cyanobacteria. Type IV pili (T4P) are fascinating supermolecular ...

Type IV pili are ubiquitous bacterial motors that power surface motility. In peritrichously piliated species, it is unclear how multiple pili are coordinated to generate movement with directional ...

Bacteria are able to translocate by a variety of mechanisms, independently or in combination, utilizing flagella or filopodia to swim, by amoeboid movement, or by gliding, twitching, or swarming. They ...

As bacteria continue to become more resistant to antibiotics, it will be harder to treat bacterial infections, leading to more severe illnesses, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality rates. As ...

Type IV pili (T4P) are fascinating supermolecular machines that drive twitching motility, protein secretion, and DNA uptake in prokaryotes. T4P work as grappling hooks that cause bacterial twitching ...

Megan O'Hara graduated in May after double majoring in microbiology with a dual degree in biomedical biological sciences and a minor in chemistry. In addition to receiving two awards from the ...