E. coli: Friend AND Foe

1
E. coli Friend AND Foe

• Escherichia coli is a species of bacterium
  commonly found in the gastro-intestinal tract of
  warm-blood animals including humans.
• These organisms partake in a symbiotic
  relationship with us, absorbing nutrients and
  living within the confines of the gut.

• In turn, these bacteria provide us with some
  essential nutrients and protect us from
  infection.
• Some strains of E. coli may invade bodily tissue
  and cause infection. The consumption of spoilt
  food-products is often the cause.

2
Under the Microscope

• These organisms have several peculiar
  features
• They are rod-shaped overall.
• They contain finger-like pili structures (P) to
  sense their surrounding environment.
• They possess flagella (F) which act as
  propellers to afford motility.

3
In the Lab

• E. coli has both industrial and research
  applications due to its ease of growth and
  manipulation.
• Through the use of recombinant DNA technology, E.
  coli cells are used to produce human insulin,
  vaccines, antibiotics and other important
  pharmaceuticals in industry.
• In research, E. coli serves as a model organism
  in studies of pathogens such as Salmonella spp.
  due to physiological similarities.