Bacteria with bigger arsenals are more apt to share

What is it about?

Bacteria engage in contact killing of neighbors in dense communities called biofilms using a molecular harpoon called a Type 6 Secretion System or T6SS. T6 killing prevents territory from being exploited by competitor bacteria by establishing spatial conditions that exclude competitors and permit sharing of secreted goods only with siblings.

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Why is it important?

The composition of the bacterial community residing in the human GI tract ( the human gut microbiome) is critical for health and when altered is linked to numerous ailments. Many bacteria, including those in the GI tract, carry T6 weapons. Understanding the rules of engagent between bacteria will be critical for developent of therapeutics and other strategies to mainitain our helath gut microbes and restore balance when that community is disrupted by disease or other factors.