Microbes Fire an Oozie: Slime engines may push bacteria along

Threads of goop oozing from tiny nozzles in the cell walls of some bacteria exert sufficient force to nudge the creatures along, a new study finds. This result may solve a decades-old puzzle about bacterial motion.

GOO POWER. Slime oozing from end nozzles (bottom) may propel the smooth glide of a Myxococcus xanthus bacterium (top).