Cooperation and competition in pathogenic bacteria
Griffin AS, West SA, Buckling A · Nature 2004
Experimental (in vitro)
Key finding
Cooperation was favoured when populations were related and locally structured; cheats won when they were not.
In plain language
A controlled experiment that manipulated who lived next to whom. It showed cooperation is not a fixed trait — it depends on the social structure of the population.
How much weight this carries
Repeatedly demonstrated, with agreement across independent groups.
Cite or read it
Griffin AS, West SA, Buckling A (2004). Cooperation and competition in pathogenic bacteria. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02744