Research led by Joseph Mougous, assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, provides new insight into how P. aeruginosa acts as a master colonizer and maintains a competitive advantage over other bacteria.
Alistair Russell, an NSF graduate research fellow in the laboratory of Joseph Mougous at the University of Washington, studies how Pseudomonas aeruginosa successfully outcompetes other types of bacteria. Photo by Leila Gray/UW.
When competing for food and resources, bacteria employ elaborate strategies to keep rival cells at bay. Scientists have now identified a pathway that allows disease-causing bacteria to attack other bacterial cells by breaking down their cell wall. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria readily found in everyday environments. It easily forms colonies in a wide variety of settings, including medical devices, body organs and skin wounds. This allows it to cause disease and act as a major pathogen, particularly in hospitals.
Research led by Joseph Mougous, assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, provides new insight into how P. aeruginosa acts as a master colonizer and maintains a competitive advantage over other bacteria. The study, which will be published in the July 21 issue of the journal Nature, describes how P. aeruginosa uses a specialized secretion system--the type VI secretion system--to deliver toxic proteins to recipient opponent bacteria. These proteins break down a structural protein known as peptoglycan, which the authors describe as "an Achilles heel of bacteria." Degrading this target in turn causes the breakdown of the protective cell wall of competitor bacteria. Furthermore, P. aeruginosa protects itself from this attack by using specific, strategically localized immunity proteins that counteract the effects of the toxic proteins it secretes.
This discovery not only sheds light on P. aeruginosa's pathogenic success, but is also interesting from an evolutionary perspective as it highlights the functional similarity between the bacterial type VI secretion system and viruses that infect bacteria, or bacteriophages.
This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the European Commission within the DIVINOCELL programme, and the National Science Foundation.
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
US Withdrawal From UNESCO Signals a Dangerous Step Back for Global Science
July 22nd 2025In a decision heavy with consequence and light on foresight, the US has once again chosen to walk away from UNESCO, leaving behind not just a seat at the table, but a legacy of global scientific leadership that now lies in question.
Breaking the Cycle of Silence: Why Sharps Injuries Go Unreported and What Can Be Done
Published: July 24th 2025 | Updated: July 23rd 2025Despite decades of progress in health care safety, a quiet but dangerous culture still lingers: many health care workers remain afraid to report sharps injuries, fearing blame more than the wound itself.
Telemedicine's Transformative Role in PPE Distribution and Sterile Equipment Management
July 22nd 2025In an era defined by digital transformation and post-pandemic urgency, telemedicine has evolved beyond virtual visits to become a vital infrastructure for delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) and managing sterile supplies. By enabling real-time forecasting, remote quality control, and equitable distribution, telemedicine is revolutionizing how health care systems protect both patients and providers.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.