AI predicts bacterial swarming from a single blurry image, unlocking new diagnostic possibilities

Swarming is one of the principal forms of bacterial motility facilitated by flagella and surfactants. It plays a distinctive role in both disease and healing. For example, in urinary tract infections (UTIs), swarming bacteria can aggressively migrate across tissue surfaces, contributing to the spread and severity of infection. Conversely, in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), certain swarming microbes have been shown to promote gut lining repair.