Spore Formation in Fast Motion - A Yield Strategist and a Synthetic Quality Strategist

Because natural resources are always limited, the right strategy decides about success in life. This also applies to spore-forming bacteria. Bacillus subtilis can survive unfavorable living conditions by forming endospores. A time-lapse microscopy study by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg, Germany, suggests that the bacteria can either make more or better spores, and that natural isolates follow different life cycle strategies.