noun
- proteins produced by certain bacteria that kill or inhibit the growth of closely related bacterial strains
Usage: microbiology; technical
Examples
- The researchers studied how colicins help bacteria compete for resources.
- Colicins are produced by E. coli strains to eliminate competing bacteria.
- Scientists are investigating colicins as potential alternatives to antibiotics.
- The laboratory isolated several types of colicins from bacterial cultures.
- Colicins target specific receptors on the surface of susceptible bacteria.
- Understanding colicin mechanisms could lead to new antimicrobial treatments.