[struwwelpeter]

E. coli is able to transmit antibiotic resistance to Salmonella sp and other pathogens. This has been known at least since I took micro in the 1980s.

Sounds like another quasi-Nobel prize for a deserving minority article.

[Boiler Plate]

E. coli is able to transmit antibiotic resistance to Salmonella sp and other pathogens. This has been known at least since I took micro in the 1980s.

Was the method of communication understood or just the fact they communicated? If the method was understood, then you are right, what is the big deal.

[gore3000]

E. coli is able to transmit antibiotic resistance to Salmonella sp and other pathogens.

It has been known for a while that bacteria can acquire genetic information from other bacteria. However, that they can cooperate together pruposely to achieve a certain objective, is something new.