Trans-translation is a ribosomal rescue mechanism unique to bacteria that prevent errors during protein synthesis.  Since this pathway is vital for bacterial growth, understanding how environmental stressors inhibit the pathway provides mechanisms for future methods of bacterial inhibition.  Stress is believed to damage the ribonucleoprotein that is utilized in this pathway.  Observing growth trends and the ribonucleoprotein after stress exposure provides insight into whether stress damages the pathway and where this damage is occurring.