He ain't heavy.. he's e coli..

It’s pretty amazing what behaviours are common between the biggest mammal, and the smallest microbe.  Scientist have shown that colonies of bacteria grow to a certain size, and the collectively, they shoot out a toxin that will halt the growth of rival colonies so that they defend the bacteria. So these colonies are super organisms – are almost like a tribe.  What’s amazing is that certain cells will sacrifice themselves for the sake of their own colony.  A few bacteria will switch on certain genes and make toxins, swelling.. swelling.. swelling until they explode and shower the toxins around.  Their colony is impervious, but it spells death for neighbouring colonies.

Is anyone else thinking what Im thinking?  This is like micro versions of suicide bombers in the West Bank but happening in stomachs and Petri dishes across the planet!

But these colonies also communicate with one another.  E coli send and receive information to make a group decision to create biofilm – a glue like substance that forms a microbial city.  This has the benefit of letting all of the bacteria survive better than if they were on their own.  So maybe this suggests that peace in the Middle East is possible after all?  Okay – bit of a stretch – but interesting all the same.