Antibiosis is a biological process in which one organism produces specific metabolites that adversely affect the survival, growth, reproduction, or physiology of another organism, typically of a different species. It commonly involves secretion of antibiotics, toxins, or other secondary metabolites into the surrounding environment, leading to inhibitory or lethal effects on competitors, pathogens, or symbionts. Antibiosis plays a critical role in microbial ecology, plant–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions, and biological control of pests and diseases, and is mechanistically distinct from resource competition or predation because its primary mode of action is chemically mediated interference rather than direct consumption or simple nutrient depletion.
On the battlefield that is the microbial world, where microorganisms often try to wipe out the competition by producing various toxins, sometimes it helps to be a pacifist.
Cell & Microbiology
Jul 14, 2025
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25
Snake, scorpion, and spider venom are most frequently associated with poisonous bites, but with the help of artificial intelligence, they might be able to help fight antibiotic resistance, which contributes to more than one ...
Biotechnology
Jul 14, 2025
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120
A new study by University of Bath scientists has highlighted two new potential families of drug molecules that could open the door to new treatments for tuberculosis.
Molecular & Computational biology
Jul 2, 2025
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23
Tiny sensors, similar to breathalyzers, could "sniff out" bacterial infections and detect antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in bodily fluids, says a team of engineers, microbiologists, and machine learning experts in an opinion ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jul 2, 2025
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18
Resistance to synthetic antibiotics poses a critical global health challenge. Various European honeybee and other natural products have been proposed as novel therapeutic agents to address this problem. However, little has ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 23, 2025
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34
Colistin is a potent, last-resort antibiotic used only to treat people with dangerous, life-threatening bacterial infections that have developed resistance to other drugs. But it's not foolproof. Worldwide, resistance to ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 22, 2025
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134
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common bacterium that lives in the intestines of animals and humans, and it is often used to identify fecal contamination within the environment. E. coli can also easily develop resistance ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 17, 2025
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27
Axolotls are known for their ability to regrow limbs, organs and even parts of the brain and heart. But the tailed amphibian with the scientific name Ambystoma mexicanum can do even more. Its mucous membrane protects it from ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 17, 2025
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168
Bacteria carry countless hidden treasures in their DNA—fragments that could hold the key to new medicines. But how do you pick out the most promising ones from millions of options? "Look at the switches that turn genes on ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 16, 2025
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16
Scientists have discovered a gruesome microbial survival strategy: when food is scarce, some bacteria kill and consume their neighbors.
Ecology
Jun 12, 2025
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