Researchers from the University of Texas and the University of Delaware have made a groundbreaking discovery, suggesting that the common bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) exhibits memory-like behavior. Despite lacking a brain or nervous system, E. coli appears to possess a memory system that allows it to remember past experiences and influence its decision-making in subsequent situations.
The study, led by molecular bioscientist Souvik Bhattacharyya from the University of Texas, focused on the behavior of E. coli in various environmental conditions. The researchers conducted over 10,000 bacterial “swarming” assays to observe how E. coli cells collectively responded to different factors.
The experiments revealed that intracellular iron levels were a crucial predictor of the bacteria’s behavior. Low iron levels were associated with faster and more efficient swarming, while higher levels led to a more settled lifestyle. Surprisingly, the researchers found that this iron-related memory persisted for at least four generations of daughter cells, which are formed when a mother cell splits into two new cells.
In subsequent generations, cells that had experienced low iron levels during their lifespan were even faster and more efficient at swarming than their predecessors. However, this memory seemed to naturally fade by the seventh generation, although scientists could artificially reinforce it.
The study suggests the existence of a memory system in E. coli that allows the bacterium to adapt to environmental conditions based on past experiences. While the researchers have yet to identify the molecular mechanism behind this potential memory system, they believe it involves a level of persistent conditioning.
Unlike human memory, this bacterial memory system could play a crucial role in helping E. coli adapt to changing environments, stressors, and even antibiotics. Understanding bacterial behavior at this level may provide valuable insights for developing strategies to combat bacterial infections.
Souvik Bhattacharyya noted, “The more we know about bacterial behavior, the easier it is to combat them.” The study’s findings open up new avenues for exploring the intricacies of microbial behavior and its implications for various fields, including medicine and environmental science.
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