010162 E. Coli Gene Bank ResearchedJanuary 27, 2001There are thousands of different strains of E. coli, but 0157:h7 is particularly hazardous to humans, reported WTAE-TV medical editor Marilyn Brooks. By comparing the genes of the harmful E. coli to a different, harmless strain called K-12, genetic scientists hope to identify the specific genes that make us sick. "Before we began this project, there were only a handful of factors that were involved with this disease that were known," said Nicole Perna, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin. "The new genes that we've identified are a set of candidates to explain some of these things that we don't yet understand." Researchers believe that these disease-causing genes are part of a "gene bank" that exists among bacteria. These harmful genes may be withdrawn from the bank by different organisms, potentially causing the emergence of new diseases. Understanding this genetic jumble could one day help doctors in treating patients and allow meat packers to better detect E. coli in food processing plants. Doctors said that, until then, your best bet for staying healthy is to avoid undercooked meat, unwashed vegetables and make sure that the milk, juice or ciders that you drink are pasteurized.
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