Argentine scientists study hacking bacterial communication

Researchers from Argentina, including scientists from CONICET and the National University of Tucumán, are studying how to intercept the chemical communication systems of bacteria. This process, known as quorum sensing, involves bacteria using chemical signals to coordinate behaviors such as causing infections in humans or promoting plant growth.

Lead researcher Carlos Nieto Peñalver explains that these chemical signals function similarly to human hormones, where even minute concentrations can trigger significant biological responses. By using chemical compounds that mimic these signals or enzymes that break them down, the team aims to ‘hack’ this communication. The goal is to either block signals to prevent pathogenic infections or enhance signals to boost agricultural crop yields. Some of the team's findings have been published in the journal Science.