E. coli K12, the prokaryotic wimp
Escherichia coli
is a gram-negative bacterium that is a normal component of the
human
intestinal flora, and is ordinarily
not a dangerous organism. The
K12 and related
strains of E. coli
used in molecular cloning have been modified so that they are
able to survive in
culture only under
very specific conditions, and are unable
to
survive at all in the human gut.
Municipal water sources are routinely tested for the presence of "coliform" (rod-shaped) bacteria like E. coli, which would indicate possible contamination with human or animal fecal material. Recent cases of E. coli contamination stem from "natural" pathogenic strains of E. coli that have found their way into public water sources through improper sterilization or filtration.
Municipal water sources are routinely tested for the presence of "coliform" (rod-shaped) bacteria like E. coli, which would indicate possible contamination with human or animal fecal material. Recent cases of E. coli contamination stem from "natural" pathogenic strains of E. coli that have found their way into public water sources through improper sterilization or filtration.