Science Visualized Microbes

New images reveal details of two bacteria’s molecular syringes

The up-close views could help with the design of nanodevices that target specific bacteria

molecular syringes illustrated poking into cell membranes

Tiny molecular syringes (illustrated, tan) are anchored in internal membranes (green) where cyanobacteria called Anabaena carry out photosynthesis.

G.L. Weiss et al/Nature Microbiology 2022

By Tina Hesman Saey

Some bacteria carry tiny syringes filled with chemicals that may thin out competitors or incapacitate predators. Now, researchers have gotten up-close views of these syringes, technically known as contractile injection systems, from a type of cyanobacteria and a marine bacterium.