A team of scientists have recently found out how bacteria drill into cells to kill them. According to their study, bacteria "nanodrills" assemble on the outside surface of the cell and punch holes into the cells' outer membrane. These nanodrills don't twist and grind through the surface however, they are ringlike structures built out of self-assembling toxic molecules. The scientists put together a "movie" of sorts in order to see what happens when the toxins are placed on the cell membrane as the method that was used could only record snapshots of what was happening. This was done by using atomic force microscopy which uses an ultrafine needle to feel a surface.
By examining the method of which the bacteria drill into the cell, scientists can further find more ways to stop bacteria from penetrating the cell and causing diseases. They can find ways to stop bacteria from causing pneumonia, meningitis, and septicaema. Eventually scientists may be able to target this mechanism and find a way to prevent bacteria from drilling into the cell.
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