To do this, Julie Laurent irradiated the bacterial cells with UV-C light, which damages random points of the bacterial DNA. She then placed the bacteria in a dark room to prevent any repair of the DNA ...

A new study published in PLOS Genetics has identified an extreme mutational hotspot within the genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens, providing unprecedented insight into the relationship between gene ...

The Mfd protein repairs bacterial DNA, but can also, to scientists' surprise, promote mutation. Bacterial mutations can lead to antibiotic resistance. Understanding this second "role" of the Mfd ...

Scientists have developed a mathematical model that predicts how the number and effects of bacterial mutations leading to drug resistance will influence the success of antibiotic treatments. Their ...

A 'silent' mutation in the genetic code of bacteria has been discovered by UK researchers, offering hope for future microbial treatments. The authors of new research, published in the Proceedings of ...