Sex’ helps bacteria cope with a changing world

[Mr. McD]

Bacteria feel pressures to evolve antibiotic resistance and other new abilities in response to a changing environment, and they react by 'stealing' genetic information from other better-adapted types of bacteria, according to research published in Nature Genetics today.

http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/releases/molecularnet201105.html

[necso]

1. Bacterial "evolution"

(they make changes to themselves) is most interesting.

[papau]

2. Like who hasn't stolen a bit of genetic information to pass on to the kids

Only problem is ID'ing the better adapted types of mammals to steal the genetic information from.

[awoke_in_2003]

3. Hell, sex helps me

cope with a changing world :)