C. difficile is a normal gut-bacterium that poses no harm under normal circumstances. When the gut microbiome is upset though, and it takes over the gut microbiome, it becomes problematic. This bacterium is difficult to combat because of its rigid outer layer, the S-layer. The Salgado lab has recently determined the structure of the S-layer and continues to refine our view of this bacterial armour.

This illustration has been featured in the magazine New Scientist