<i>M. xanthus</i> Waves (2 of 2) (IMAGE)

Rice University

<i>M. xanthus</i> Waves (2 of 2)

Caption

Scientists at Rice University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School have identified the mechanism that allows individual Myxococcus xanthus bacteria to self-organize by the millions into periodic bands of traveling waves that help the colony spread and stay atop food until it is devoured.

Credit

Z. Vaksman, H. Kaplan/UT Medical School at Houston

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