News Chemistry

Onward, microbes

By Aimee Cunningham

- More than 2 years ago

With a tweak to their genetic codes, bacteria have been coaxed to follow a chemical trail of a researcher’s choosing.

STAY OR GO. Bacteria engineered to respond to a chemical follow an S-shaped path (green) painted with that substance, while normal bacteria (red) stay put. Topp

Chemotactic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, recognize and move toward certain chemicals.