A groundbreaking new study has revealed a previously unknown mechanism used by bacteria to survive osmotic stress. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have discovered a protein complex that helps bacteria quickly respond to changes in their environment and maintain their crucial balance of water and ions. This complex is made up of two proteins, OsmC and OmpW, which work together to allow bacteria to adapt to their environment, including the salt levels in their environment. This discovery could help scientists develop new strategies to combat bacterial infections, as well as provide insight into the evolution of bacteria.

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source: Phys.org