inducing peptide, affects signaling within the bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus -- one of the worst causes of infections caught in hospitals -- have evolved into four different strains, each with a different version of this peptide. "Remarkably and conveniently for us, the peptide produced by any one of the subspecies blocks activation of the virulence response by any of the others," Novick said in a statement. They created a version of the peptide in the lab that blocks all four and are now trying to improve it so it works even more broadly and lasts longer. --SP 2253 Local Time 1953 GMT