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.
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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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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172
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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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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Pus, strep throat, and even tuberculosis—most infectious diseases are characterized by a cluster of pathogenic bacteria that can be stubborn and resistant to antibiotics. Now researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 10, 2025
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60
A protein that gives fleas their bounce has been used to boot out bacteria cells, with lab results demonstrating the material's potential for preventing medical implant infection.
Bio & Medicine
Jun 2, 2025
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45
Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a new drug delivery system using ultrasound-activated nanoparticles to break through and destroy bacterial biofilms. This offers a promising solution that could address ...
Bio & Medicine
Apr 22, 2025
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62
Some bacteria deploy tiny spearguns to retaliate against rival attacks. Researchers at the University of Basel have mimicked attacks by poking bacteria with an ultra-sharp tip. Using this approach, they have uncovered that ...
Bio & Medicine
Mar 5, 2025
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