Bonnie Bassler on how bacteria "talk"

Bacteria are the oldest living organisms on the planet. They control a major portion of chemical processes in our environment and in our bodies. And they communicate!

The main hypothesis in this talk, delivered by Bonnie Bassler in February 2009, is that 1. Bacteria have a good sense of the size of their own population, and that of other kinds of bacteria surrounding them, 2. Once a certain population density is reached, a specific behaviour will be triggered, and 3. Understanding the means of bacterial communication can pave the way to developing new kinds of antibiotics and medical therapies.

This charismatic presentation will not only broaden your understanding of bacterial communication, but is also bound to change your views about our relation with microorganisms in general - because it's actually us living in their habitat, not the other way around. (an)

-- lecture, 19 mins --

-- Additional resources (see link box):
• Perspective Series in Journal of Clinical Investigation
• NOVA scienceNOW video profile of Bonnie Bassler
• Full transcript of Nova interview --