evolution in action

[river-wind]

http://pipeline.corante.com/archives/2007/05/22/evolution_in_action.php

Patient is treated with very powerful anti-biotics. During that time, multiple samples of the S. aureus that infect him/her are taken, and the entire genome is sequenced.

Over the treatment period, the scientists were able to observe the sequential development and carry-through of 35 point mutations, which occured alongside an increased resistance of the S. aureus to the drugs applied (shown by re-surgence of the bacterial load over time).

Evolution and drug resistance IN ACTION.

 

[Zephyr]

Neat!

Pity the comments there degenerate into a creationism-vs-evolution fest.

Multiple-drug resistant TB is becoming something of a problem in South Africa, where some people in rural areas stop taking antibiotics before the course is over. They feel 'better' partway into the course and decide that the drug's side effects aren't worth it.