{
  "id": 7406597,
  "title": "Scientists discover dispersal mechanism and new gene family in harmful E. coli strains",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/scientists-discover-dispersal-mechanism-and-new-gene-family-in",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-14T22:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-scientists-dispersal-mechanism-gene-family.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have identified a new dispersal mechanism and gene family in harmful E. coli strains. They focused on chain-like adherence pattern (CLAP) varieties of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can form chains without separating. Under flow, torn off chain ends can attach elsewhere, spreading the strain. The team discovered a new gene family, the Cla adhesin family, responsible for CLAP formation. This revelation sheds light on infection mechanisms and potential treatments for LEE-negative STEC strains, which can be as deadly as LEE-positive strains despite lacking the locus of enterocyte effacement.",
  "summary": "Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have identified how certain dangerous bacteria spread. They studied chain-like adherence pattern (CLAP) varieties of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), finding that single bacteria attach to a surface and elongate before dividing, producing chains without ever separating.",
  "key_points": [
    "Researchers discover dispersal mechanism in harmful E. coli strains.",
    "Identified new gene family, Cla adhesin family, responsible for mechanism.",
    "Findings shed light on infection mechanisms and potential treatments."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}