The Invisible Assassin: How E. Coli’s Hidden Mutation Turns Deadly

Mutation in E. coli facilitates severe disease by hindering cellulose production, revealing new approaches to fight antibiotic resistance.Show more

Queensland researchers have discovered that a mutation allows some E. coli bacteria to cause severe disease in people while other bacteria are harmless, a finding that could help to combat antibiotic resistance.

Professor Mark Schembri and Dr. Nhu Nguyen from The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Associate Professor Sumaira Hasnain from Mater Research found the mutation in the cellulose-making machinery of E. coli bacteria.

Professor Schembri said the mutation gives the affected E. coli bacteria the green light to spread further into the body and infect more organs, such as the liver, spleen, and brain.