This is pretty fascinating. Paenibacillum is not pathogenic, but is absolutely battle-hardened as far as bacteria go, having spent 4 million years in a 1600' deep cave that takes 10,000 years to get water from the surface and NEVER sees sunlight.
4 million year old superbug in a cave in New Mexico
by schnell 4 Replies latest social current
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scratchme1010
Interesting, schnell. There are a few species that have adapted themselves to the environment, like a fish that lives with no eyes in an area of the planet where there's acid instead of water.
Come to think of it, smiddy, the dark pool of acid is as good for your analogy.
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Xanthippe
Really interesting Schnell thanks. The bacteria is resistant to 70% of antibiotics and 100% resistant to natural antibiotics.
We've learnt from this that bacteria hasn't become resistant due to our overuse of antibiotics but the ability to develop that resistance is hardwired into the bacteria for survival.
It should help scientists understand resistance and how it works which is excellent news because we are rapidly reaching a superbug crisis.
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