144-145: Bacterial evolution

Each new pair of bacteria inherit one end from the parent cell, and produce a new end of their own. The offspring that gets the new end is healthier.

Science -- Editor's Choice {18 February 2005; 307 (5712)}:

Because these asymmetric characteristics are hallmarks of cellular aging in multicellular organisms and in yeast, the study suggests that asymmetric cell division and fundamental mechanisms of aging may be evolutionarily conserved in bacteria.

There's that pesky word again. Can evolution in bacteria explain human aging? Stay tuned!

Also in Science: How bacteria adapt to live in human skin. It's a mechanism also used to avoid the immune system and some antibiotics. Evolution at work.