In the new study, they were able to confirm C. elegans worms in the wild had the same ability. A single P. vranovensis bacterium has 6-7 million rungs in its DNA, coding for about 5,500 genes. The Princeton University researchers showed that a C. elegans worm took up a 124-tine sRNA from an ingested P. vranovensis. C. elegans worms trained to avoid the pathogenic P. vranovensis strain avoided feeding on the non-pathogenic P. mendocina as well. Food for thoughtIn fact, discoveries based on studying C. elegans were recognised by Nobel Prizes in 2002, 2006, and 2008.

Source: The Hindu May 13, 2024 10:27 UTC