Bacteria retain environmental memory, impacting infections

Bacteria possess a "memory" of past environments, passed down through generations, which can influence their behavior and survival. New research reveals this bacterial memory can lead to distinct subpopulations within infections, potentially explaining antibiotic and vaccine failures and suggesting new treatment strategies. This discovery, using a technique called Microcolony-seq, could revolutionize how we understand and combat bacterial pathogens, with potential applications beyond medicine.