Formation of biofilms as an example of the social behavior of bacteria

Romanova, Yu. M.; Смирнова, Т. А.; Андреев, А. Л.; Il'ina, T S; Didenko, L. V.; Gintsburg, A. L.

doi:10.1134/s0026261706040199

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The fraction of variant phenotypes in laboratory-grown planktonic batch cultures that are clonal is generally found to be small or non-existent (3,28,38). This is expected in our model, because the rate of gene transfer between cells in planktonic batch culture would most likely be far lower then the rate of transfer in biofilms, an expectation that is consistent with reported comparisons between electron micrographs of cells of Salmonella typhimurium grown in biofilm and planktonic batch culture (9). With their lower cell density, planktonic batch cells would be less influenced by the MGE-mediated exchange.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…It is widely held that a coordinated effort from many types of contributors that often involves sacrifices made by individual cells is required. Biofilms are a heterogeneous aggregation of microbial phenotypes (3,4) that live together as a community, coordinating group activities, such as circulation, dispersion, and aggregate movement (5)(6)(7)(8)(9). The different types of cells rely on each other, so that their mutual interactions lead to the overall success of the group.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A collective mechanism for phase variation in biofilms

Chia

Woese

Goldenfeld

2008

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Understanding how microbes gather into biofilm communities and maintain diversity remains one of the central questions of microbiology, requiring an understanding of microbes as communal rather then individual organisms. Phase variation plays an integral role in the formation of diverse phenotypes within biofilms. We propose a collective mechanism for phase variation based on gene transfer agents, and apply the theory to predict the population structure and growth dynamics of a biofilm. Our results describe quantitatively recent experiments, with the only adjustable parameter being the rate of intercellular horizontal gene transfer. Our approach derives from a more general picture for the emergence of cooperation between microbes.mobile genetic elements ͉ horizontal gene transfer

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A collective mechanism for phase variation in biofilms

Chia

Woese

Goldenfeld

2008

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although our in vitro data cannot be transferred directly to in vivo behavior, BFo-1 and BFo-2 produced bioÞlms differentially. Theoretically, the stronger bioÞlm in dual cultures might help maintain the potential adhesive, defensive, communicative, and nutrient-sharing beneÞts of a bioÞlm (Costerton et al 1987;James et al 1995;OÕToole et al 2000;Lewis 2001;Sutherland 2001a, b;Jefferson 2004;Romanova et al 2006;Sauer et al 2007) without requiring both bacteria to make their own bioÞlm at all times and in all conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…BioÞlms have been known to help bacteria with adhesion, distribution of nutrients, resistance to antibiotics, and resistance to desiccation (Branda et al 2005, Romanova et al 2006, Schaudinn et al 2007. BioÞlms can also be comprised of many bacterial species that each contribute something unique to the overall bioÞlm (Sutherland 2001b, Sauer et al 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and Ecology ofFrankliniella occidentalis(Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Bacterial Symbionts

Chanbusarakum

Ullman

2009

Environ Entomol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bacterial populations in Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) collected in diverse California environments consisted of two bacterial symbionts: BFo-1 and BFo-2 (B = bacteria, Fo = Frankliniella occidentalis, numbers reflect different types). Dual infections of BFo-1 and BFo-2 were found in 50% of the thrips, 18% had neither bacterium, and 24 and 8% were infected solely with BFo-1 and BFo-2, respectively. No other bacteria consistently infected F. occidentalis. Dual infections occurred more often in male thrips and in thrips of both sexes from southern mountain and valley sites. As average collection year or month minimum temperature decreased, infections of BFo-1, alone or in dual infections, increased significantly. As yearly precipitation increased, infection with BFo-1 alone also increased. F. occidentalis color morphology did not affect bacterial infection. BFo-1 created weak biofilms at 25 and 32 degrees C; BFo-2 made strong biofilms at 25 degrees C and no biofilms at 32 degrees C. When the bacteria were grown in culture together, weak biofilms formed at both temperatures studied, although there was no way to determine what each bacterium contributed to the biofilm. BFo-1 and BFo-2 grew at similar rates at 25 and 30 degrees C. Our data show BFo-1 and BFo-2 occur in natural populations of F. occidentalis and support the hypothesis BFo have a symbiotic relationship with F. occidentalis. Regional differences in bacterial prevalence suggest bacterial infection is associated with environmental conditions, and altitude, temperature, and precipitation may be important factors.

show abstract

“…It has been an on‐going challenge to mimic environments of motile cells in order to investigate the interaction of moving cells and their surroundings. Especially, microenvironments of tubular shape that can be found widely in nature such as in sperm migration, artery networks, lymphatic vascular systems, or during the formation of biofilms by bacterial motility, have been challenging to reproduce in vitro.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%