According to experts, a dormant bacteria can be brought back to life using a neural model. The intriguing thing is that they can still run the procedure even when they are physiologically dead. The reason behind it was discovered by a group of researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
Mechanism in Reviving a Dead Bacteria
It is uncertain how bacteria spores decide when to resume regular functioning after being dormant. According to the most recent study, published in Science journal,dormant spores use an interesting process known as integrate and fire to keep an eye on their environment. The way neurons communicate with one another and this mechanism are both quite similar.
In order to explain these findings, the researchers looked at dormant Bacillus subtilis bacteria and developed a mathematical model. According to the model, hibernating bacteria spores use potassium ions, which are electrochemical energy stored in their bodies, to examine the environment. The spores release stored potassium ions without engaging in any metabolic activity in order to recognize various environmental cues.
Stored Potassium Ion Threshold
For inactive bacteria, there is a threshold level of potassium ions in storage. The spores become active when the total potassium ions produced over time in response to diverse environmental stimuli exceeds the threshold value. The threshold is defined as a value below which the spores do not initiate a return to life, according to Gurol Suel, one of the authors and a biology professor at UCSD. The threshold causes the spores to awaken from their dormant state.
He continued by saying that the threshold in spores correlates mechanically with potassium content. Spores become resurrected when they lose enough potassium. Scientists found out that the integrate and fire mechanism is the entire process used by the bacteria. It allows dormant spores to observe their surroundings using the flux of their stored potassium ions before becoming active.
According to Eurekalert, by using a cumulative signal processing technique, spores are prevented from rushing into a world of unfavorable conditions because they can determine if the exterior conditions are favorable.
However, one important distinction between neurons and dormant spores is that, whereas the former is hyperactive and requires a lot of energy to fire an action potential, the latter accomplishes the same task despite being physiologically dead.
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Significance of the Study in Figthing Resistant Bacteria
According to Interesting Engineeing, scientists claim that it is crucial to investigate dormant bacteria since some of these microbes can truly survive for a very long time by producing spores as a means of reproduction.
This makes it challenging for them to get rid of dangerous bacteria that pollute the environment and spread illness. For instance, the bacteria Bacillus anthrax, which causes the fatal anthrax disease in agricultural animals, can persist as dormant spores in the soil for decades.
Since dormant bacteria are known to be resistant to harsh environmental conditions, it is believed that the spores may potentially give us important information about potential extinct life forms on distant worlds. Scientists are aggressively searching for life on Mars, and it is most probable that any organisms they discover will be dormant.
