A 3D illustration of biofilm of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Credit: Dr_Microbe/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus
Researchers have developed a model that provides new insights into how a specific microbe forms biofilms1.
Biofilm is a complex structure consisting of different bacterial colonies or a single type of cells in a group. It can grow and adhere to the surface of medical implants.
The model helped to identify key genes and proteins that influence the growth of biofilms. The researchers say their model could potentially be used to develop new ways to prevent biofilm formation on medical implants and the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens.
Scientists at Bugworks Research India Private Limited, a start-up involved in drug discovery, used the model to simulate the multiple networks of interlinked pathways that Escherichia coli cells use to form biofilms. They analysed the role of more than 300 genes in biofilm formation.
The researchers, led by Santanu Datta, validated the roles of more than 80% of the genes. They narrowed their search to three key genes that contribute significantly to the growth of biofilms.
They then isolated and cultured a virulent strain of E. coli that forms biofilms and causes urinary tract infection in humans. They found that deleting the three genes removed the strain’s ability to form biofilms.
Biofilms contain extracellular DNA (eDNA) which is released by dying bacterial cells and has been found to aid biofilm growth. The researchers used their model to simulate conditions that caused gradual decreases in the levels of eDNA. This drop in eDNA levels reduced the growth of biofilms.
