Mystery of bacterial growth and resistance solved: Findings shed light on how bacteria form protective biofilms
"explains how nitric oxide, a signaling molecule involved in the immune system, leads to biofilm formation.
"It is estimated that about 80 percent of human pathogens form biofilms during some part of their life cycle,"
said Scripps Research president and CEO Michael Marletta"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426135128.htm
"For more than three decades, Michael Marletta has traveled a serpentine road, working to elucidate a molecule
whose importance to human physiology is as well recognized as his own contributions to his field.
Named “Molecule of the Year” in 1992 by Science, nitric oxide, a noxious atmospheric gas,
plays a pivotal role in biological functions", http://www.pnas.org/content/107/26/11666.extract