| 1 | They have no direct toxic effects on vertebrates. | |
| 2 | Eventually, the toxicity subsides when the cells die. | |
| 3 | Once this quorum is reached, the bacteria turn on their virulence genes. | |
| 4 | "We do have authority over hazardous chemicals but we really lack the resources to do the independent, original research into chemical toxicity," said Adler. | |
| 5 | As a survival mechanism, other microbes have developed mechanisms for resisting the toxic effect of antimicrobials. |