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2,978,613 views | Bonnie Bassler • TED2009

How bacteria "talk"

Bonnie Bassler discovered that bacteria "talk" to each other, using a chemical language that lets them coordinate defense and mount attacks. The find has stunning implications for medicine, industry -- and our understanding of ourselves.

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Bonnie Bassler discovered that bacteria "talk" to each other, using a chemical language that lets them coordinate defense and mount attacks. The find has stunning implications for medicine, industry -- and our understanding of ourselves.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Molecular biologist

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Bonnie Bassler studies how bacteria can communicate with one another, through chemical signals, to act as a unit. Her work could pave the way for new, more potent medicine.