What: "A lot of bacteria produce organic chelating compounds called siderophores. Chelation is like a claw; it is how the compound binds to metals such as iron, providing necessary nutrients that help bacteria survive," Bullen said. This is fundamental scientific research that hasn't been examined much before, she added, explaining, "What we had proposed was that these compounds might contribute to why bacteria want to stick to a surface. If they're on the outside of the bacteria, they could kind of act like a claw and grab on to a surface..."

Writer: Dr. Heather Bullen, assistant professor of chemistry

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Date: Jul 24 2013 6:32 PM