Learning and memory in microorganisms
Microbial cognition is a rapidly growing field because an increasing number of ‘learning-like’ phenomena are being observed in bacteria.
An inconsistent use of the terminology to describe ‘learning-like’ phenomena in microorganisms limits progress in the field.
In this work, the researchers define key terms such as learning and memory and provide insights on how to apply the concepts, which were originally developed for multicellular eukaryotes, to microorganisms.
The experimental tractability of microorganisms allows the identification of the molecular factors shaping an individual’s memory (i.e., the engram) and testing whether these memory substances can be transferred to other individuals.
https://www.cell.com/trends/microbiology/fulltext/S0966-842X(26)00090-9
