Bacterial cells constantly monitor their
environment by utilizing dedicated molecular sensors.  The chemo-receptors, which control the
motility of bacterial cells, became a model for studying such sensory systems.  Using clusters of chemo-receptors, the bacterium E. coli is able to follow gradients
of chemicals in its environment over a wide range of temperatures, from 20°C to
over 42°C.  I will
discuss our recent observations regarding the thermal-sensitivity of these
sensors and the possible role of clustering and adaptation in promoting function
at elevated temperatures. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />