Each day your body works to defend you against invaders.  Harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi can enter your system and cause diseases.  In addition to relying on your immune system, it is helpful to avoid contact with germs by thoroughly washing your hands and keeping your environment clean.

How is it possible that some organisms have the ability to survive in some of the dirtiest places on earth?  What survival mechanisms do they have that differ from ours?

Scientists ground up the brains and other nerve tissues from two species of insects, the American cockroach and the desert locust.  Material extracted from the samples was shown to kill more than 90 percent of a harmful type of E.coli bacteria.  In addition, the tissue extracts killed a type of staph bacteria.  There seem to be nine molecules within the tissue that are involved in defense against microbes.

Although the nine molecules have not been identified, scientists may be able to utilize the molecules in the future as a form of disease prevention in humans.