Octopus Arms Detect Microbes With Chemical Precision

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Sucker Senses

Octopuses are very picky about their microbe associations. Researchers discovered octo-suckers detect microbial metabolites.

• Microbial metabolites = small molecules from microorganisms

• Suckers identify compounds secreted by bacteria

• Each arm evaluates microbes independently

Octopuses apply this micro-sense to everything from feeding to discarding eggs with unfavorable bacteria. Further studies will increase our octo-understanding and possibly inspire advances in biohybrid robotics. Or help us figure out expiration dates.

Was it sell by or best by? Eat by? Good again after date???

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