New research illuminates the impact of surface properties on bacteria movement.

New research conducted at Virginia Tech has revealed the significant impact of surface properties on the movement of bacteria. The study focused on twitching motility, a process that allows bacteria to colonize new surfaces and cause infections. The researchers found that the function of type IV pili (T4P), which enable twitching motility, is dependent on the properties of the surface. Manipulating these surface properties could potentially alter the functionality of T4P and prevent bacterial colonization. This research is particularly important in the context of antibiotic resistance, as it offers an alternative approach to combating bacterial infections. [Extracted from the article]