Cu warns bacteria of antibiotic assault

By Chemistry World2014-01-07T00:00:00

Source: © Shutterstock

Copper signals switch on cell defences

Copper is known for its antimicrobial properties, but new research suggests that copper signalling within bacterial cells may also play an important role in antibiotic resistance. Researchers in China have found that some antibiotics cause copper to accumulate inside Escherichia coli, which prompts them to switch on their defences.

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