Lethal Bacteria’s DNA Decoded, Raising Hopes for a Vaccine

Scientists have decoded the DNA of a lethal strain of Escherichia coli bacteria. The complete genetic blueprint of E. coli type O157:H7, reported in today’s Nature, should help guide scientists toward the creation of a vaccine against the germ for cattle and other animals. That, in turn, would reduce the risk that people will get sick from contaminated hamburger or other sources.

At the same time, the decoding shows that finding a vaccine won’t be easy: The researchers discovered that the E. coli strain frequently picks up swatches of genetic material from other bacteria and viruses. That might explain why it is so potent and hard to treat.

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Compiled by Times medical writer Thomas H. Maugh II