Authors: Graham Joyce, Kerstin J. Williams, Matthew Robb, Elke Noens, Barbara Tizzano, Vahid Shahrezaei, Brian D. Robertson
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044582
Abstract Summary
Mycobacteria divide symmetrically at mid-cell, but appear asymmetric due to unequal growth rates at opposite cell poles—with one end growing twice as fast as the other. Live imaging reveals these bacteria don’t use cell length as a division trigger, unlike other rod-shaped bacteria, highlighting their unique growth strategy.
Why Brain? 🧠
Mycobacteria divide symmetrically at mid-cell but grow asymmetrically from poles at different rates, challenging previous assumptions and revealing unique cell division mechanisms distinct from other bacteria.
License: CC BY.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
