E. coli colonization of the mammalian colon: understanding the process.

Overall, the risk assessment data have shown not only that recombinant DNA research using E. coli strains is safe but also that E. coli strains, in general, including K-12 strains, can colonize the mammalian colon in individuals undergoing antibiotic treatment. However, very little is known about how E. coli colonizes the mammalian colon and it is possible that different strains use different adhesins and different colonic receptors in the process. Through the approach described here it has been possible to begin to identify both E. coli adhesins and colonic receptors which may play an important role in the colonization process. Hopefully, continued research into the molecular basis of E. coli colonic colonization will lead to the development of healthy E. coli strains for recombinant DNA research which are unable to colonize the human colon under any circumstance.