E. coli Becomes a Pathogen-Fighting Superhero

         In this article, scientists in Singapore have discovered a way for microorganisms that cause infections to fight other microorganisms that fight infections. Matthew Chang, a synthetic biologist, bioengineered an E. coli bacteria to find and destroy the gram negative bacterium Oseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacteria is a cause of pneumonia and bloodstream infections caught in a hospital environment. They tested the E. coli to mice infected with P. aeruginosa and a few hours later, they tested the feces and found that there were less pathogens. A future use for this bioengineered E. coli could be that the E. coli could remain dormant in the gut, and be activated by the presence of P. aeruginosa. This E. coli works by secreting a deadly peptide called microcin S. It would then be loaded with genes that make a nuclease that can penetrate a protective film that envelops colonies of the bacteria. It is then activated by the presence of a certain P. aeruginosa messenger molecule. 

         I found this article very interesting, but there may be a change that it wouldn't work with the human's immune system. Laying dormant, our immune system may attack the E. coli. The E. Coli would stay dormant in the gut, but it would have to leave and attack other areas of the body. It could become exposed to areas of the body that could cause unwanted damage. Regardless, I found this article very interesting because it sheds light on potential benefits to those who suffer from bacteria in hospitals.











http://medcitynews.com/2013/09/wow-of-the-week-with-a-little-bioengineering-e-coli-becomes-a-pathogen-fighting-superhero/