23/06/2011

‘The story of E. coli and other bacteria’ was broadcast on Channel 33 ‘Quèquicom’ program on June 22nd and will appear again on June 24th at 5 p.m. Participants include Dr. Francisco Guarner and Dr. Natalia Borruel, from the Phisiology and Pathofisiology of the Digestive Tract group of Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR).Escherichia coli is one of the bacteria commonly present in the digestive tract and it’s inocuous. Other stocks from the same bacteria common in some animals may result pathogenic for humans and cause diarrhea or even death. Yet, without bacteria, life would not be possible in our planet nor spatial trips to Mars could be considered. ‘Quèquicom’ covers from intestinal diseases like Crohn up to Melissa, the project of the European Spatial Agency and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona that recreates a miniature of Earth’s basic ecosystem.The presenter starts the lookout for bacteria in Collserola. It’s a red secret ‘Martian’ hidden space from which sulphur acid emanates. Next it’s the Ebro delta displaying bacterial biofilms like those that covered much of the earth 3.700 milion years ago, followed by many other locations in our environment where it’s difficult to imagine the existence of bacteria.