To do this, Julie Laurent irradiated the bacterial cells with UV-C light, which damages random points of the bacterial DNA. She then placed the bacteria in a dark room to prevent any repair of the DNA ...

Scientists have discovered a way to control mutation rates in bacteria, paving the way for new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are given to kill bad bacteria; however, with ...

A new study published in PLOS Genetics has identified an extreme mutational hotspot within the genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens, providing unprecedented insight into the relationship between gene ...

Researchers have discovered that a mutation in the cellulose making machinery of E. coli bacteria allows them to cause severe disease in people -- 'good' bacteria make cellulose and 'bad' bacteria can ...

Mutation dynamics in bacterial populations underpin the generation of genetic diversity that drives adaptation, speciation and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Spontaneous base substitutions ...

Queensland researchers have discovered that a mutation allows some E. coli bacteria to cause severe disease in people while other bacteria are harmless, a finding that could help to combat antibiotic ...