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Article: How anthrax bacteria survive dormant stage
- Article from:
- The Hindustan Times
- Article date:
- August 12, 2009
CopyrightCopyright © HT Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Washington, Aug. 12 -- A new study has revealed that anthrax bacteria take the help of small viruses to stay alive when in dormant state.
The research team at Rockefeller University have found that the survival of the deadly bacterium Bacillus anthracis is directed and shaped by the DNA of bacteria-infecting viruses.
"B. anthracis leads a much more complicated life than we had ever known," said Raymond Schuch, a research assistant professor in the lab.
"Small, infecting viruses dramatically alter the survival capabilities of B. anthracis. It is more or less a symbiotic relationship in which the interests of both the bacterium and virus are kept in balance," he added.
Lead researcher Vincent ...