Invisible to the naked eye, but omnipresent: bacteria live in the soil, in water – and even inside us. Many are essential to life, and some possess sophisticated weapons to fight microscopic rivals.

In our short film, researchers from the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the Biozentrum at the University of Basel show how the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa attacks its opponents and defends itself with astonishing precision using a molecular “nano-harpoon” – the type VI secretion system (T6SS).

Using state-of-the-art methods such as atomic force microscopy and fluorescence imaging, we can see how bacteria communicate, fight, and survive – findings that could influence future developments in medicine and nanotechnology.

Many thanks to Professors Marek Basler and Roderick Lim, as well as former SNI doctoral student Mitchell Brüderlin, for the exciting insights into their research work. Many thanks also to the organizers and sponsors of the Global Science Film Festival for the opportunity to share our fascination with the world of the smallest structures.

Fight for Survival: The nano-weapon of bacteria