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| Open AccessActive thrombin produced by the intestinal epithelium controls mucosal biofilms
The roles played by thrombin in the human intestinal mucosa are unclear. Here, the authors show that the commensal microbiota modulates epithelial production of active thrombin, which controls biofilm growth and contributes to protection of the mucosa from bacterial invasion.
- Jean-Paul Motta
- , Alexandre Denadai-Souza
- & Nathalie Vergnolle
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| Open AccessDirect visualization of a molecular handshake that governs kin recognition and tissue formation in myxobacteria
Many organisms, including the bacterium Myxococcus xanthus, regulate their social life through kin recognition. Here, Cao and Wall show that these bacteria use a polymorphic and fluid cell-surface receptor to recognize and assemble kin cells into a cooperative multicellular community that resembles a tissue.
- Pengbo Cao
- & Daniel Wall
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| Open AccessCellular advective-diffusion drives the emergence of bacterial surface colonization patterns and heterogeneity
In the wild, bacteria grow into structures called biofilms. Here the authors demonstrate that their spatial organization and heterogeneity depends on the interplay between fluid flow and single cell motility; this highlights the role of hydrodynamics in biofilm formation.
- Tamara Rossy
- , Carey D. Nadell
- & Alexandre Persat
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| Open AccessModulation of antibiotic sensitivity and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by interspecies signal analogues
Biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance are regulated in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the protein PA1396, which responds to diffusible signal factors (DSFs) produced by other bacteria. Here, An et al. synthesize DSF analogues that modulate PA1396 activity and thus biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance.
- Shi-qi An
- , Julie Murtagh
- & Ji-liang Tang
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| Open AccessThe Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecB binds to the exopolysaccharide Psl and stabilizes the biofilm matrix
Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms are composed of exopolysaccharides, exogenous DNA, and proteins. Here, da Silva et al show that protein LecB binds to matrix exopolysaccharide Psl, thus contributing to increased retention of bacterial cells and exopolysaccharide in growing biofilms.
- Daniel Passos da Silva
- , Michael L. Matwichuk
- & Matthew R. Parsek
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| Open AccessThe extracellular matrix protects Bacillus subtilis colonies from Pseudomonas invasion and modulates plant co-colonization
Pseudomonas and Bacillus can promote plant growth but their mutual interactions are unclear. Here, the authors show that the extracellular matrix protects Bacillus colonies from infiltration by Pseudomonas cells, while the Pseudomonas type VI secretion system stimulates Bacillus sporulation.
- Carlos Molina-Santiago
- , John R. Pearson
- & Diego Romero
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| Open AccessPhototrophic extracellular electron uptake is linked to carbon dioxide fixation in the bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris
Extracellular electron uptake (EEU) is the ability of microbes to take up electrons from solid-phase conductive substances such as metal oxides. Here, Guzman et al. show that electrons enter the photosynthetic electron transport chain and are used for CO2 fixation during EEU in a phototrophic bacterium.
- Michael S. Guzman
- , Karthikeyan Rengasamy
- & Arpita Bose
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| Open AccessIn-host evolution of Staphylococcus epidermidis in a pacemaker-associated endocarditis resulting in increased antibiotic tolerance
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a frequent cause of medical implant-associated biofilm infections. Here, studying a patient with pacemaker-associated endocarditis, the authors report in-host evolution of S. epidermidis leading to phenotypes exhibiting increased biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance.
- Vanina Dengler Haunreiter
- , Mathilde Boumasmoud
- & Annelies S. Zinkernagel
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| Open AccessPhenazine production promotes antibiotic tolerance and metabolic heterogeneity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
Pseudomonas aeruginosa releases redox-active metabolites called phenazines. Here, the authors use metabolic imaging by stimulated Raman scattering microscopy to show that phenazines antagonize the effects of antibiotics on P. aeruginosa biofilms by modulating bacterial metabolism.
- Konstanze T. Schiessl
- , Fanghao Hu
- & Lars E. P. Dietrich
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| Open AccessMarine biofilms constitute a bank of hidden microbial diversity and functional potential
Previous surveys of global ocean microbial diversity have focused on planktonic microbes. Here, Zhang et al. use metagenomics to study biofilm-forming marine microbes, increasing the known microbial diversity in the oceans by more than 20% and revealing new biosynthetic gene clusters and CRISPR-Cas systems.
- Weipeng Zhang
- , Wei Ding
- & Pei-Yuan Qian
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| Open AccessLaser-induced vapour nanobubbles improve drug diffusion and efficiency in bacterial biofilms
Eradication of bacterial infections can be hindered by poor penetration of antibiotics through biofilms. Here, Teirlinck et al. show that laser-induced vapour nanobubbles formed around plasmonic nanoparticles can be used to locally disturb biofilm integrity and improve antibiotic diffusion.
- Eline Teirlinck
- , Ranhua Xiong
- & Kevin Braeckmans
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Article
| Open AccessSelf-induced mechanical stress can trigger biofilm formation in uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Bacterial biofilms are an increasingly important medical problem but the mechanisms by which they develop remain largely unknown. Here, using a high-throughput approach, the authors show that biofilm formation is linked to self-imposed mechanical stress.
- Eric K. Chu
- , Onur Kilic
- & Andre Levchenko
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| Open AccessTopical ferumoxytol nanoparticles disrupt biofilms and prevent tooth decay in vivo via intrinsic catalytic activity
Ferumoxytol is a nanoparticle formulation approved for systemic use to treat iron deficiency. Liu et al. show that topical use of ferumoxytol, in combination with low concentrations of H2O2, disrupts intractable oral biofilms and prevents tooth decay in vitro and in an animal model.
- Yuan Liu
- , Pratap C. Naha
- & Hyun Koo
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Article
| Open AccessBrlR from Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a receptor for both cyclic di-GMP and pyocyanin
The virulence factor pyocyanin and the second messenger c-di-GMP regulate biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, the authors perform structural and biochemical analyses to show that a transcriptional regulator, BrlR, acts as a receptor for both pyocyanin and c-di-GMP.
- Feng Wang
- , Qing He
- & Lichuan Gu
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| Open AccessAsymmetric adhesion of rod-shaped bacteria controls microcolony morphogenesis
It is unclear how cell adhesion and elongation coordinate during formation of bacterial microcolonies. Here, Duvernoy et al. monitor microcolony formation in rod-shaped bacteria, and show that patterns of surface colonization derive from the spatial distribution of adhesive factors on the cell envelope.
- Marie-Cécilia Duvernoy
- , Thierry Mora
- & Nicolas Desprat
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| Open AccessInsights into the structure and assembly of a bacterial cellulose secretion system
Many Gram-negative bacteria secrete exopolysaccharides via functionally homologous synthase-dependent systems. Here the authors use electron microscopy to reveal that biofilm-promoting cellulose in E. coli is secreted by a conserved multi-component secretion system with a megadalton-sized asymmetric architecture.
- Petya Violinova Krasteva
- , Joaquin Bernal-Bayard
- & Jean-Marc Ghigo
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| Open AccessExtracellular-matrix-mediated osmotic pressure drives Vibrio cholerae biofilm expansion and cheater exclusion
Most bacteria live in biofilms, surface-attached communities encased in an extracellular matrix. Here, Yan et al. show that matrix production in Vibrio cholerae increases the osmotic pressure within the biofilm, promoting biofilm expansion and physical exclusion of non-matrix producing cheaters.
- Jing Yan
- , Carey D. Nadell
- & Bonnie L. Bassler
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| Open AccessA new class of hybrid secretion system is employed in Pseudomonas amyloid biogenesis
Gram-negative bacteria assemble biofilms from amyloid fibres, which translocate across the outer membrane as unfolded amyloid precursors through a secretion system. Here, the authors characterise the structural details of the amyloid transporter FapF in Pseudomonas.
- Sarah L. Rouse
- , William J. Hawthorne
- & Stephen Matthews
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| Open AccessAn early mechanical coupling of planktonic bacteria in dilute suspensions
Planktonic bacteria are untethered to surfaces or to each other, and thus are expected to move independently when at low cell densities. Here Sretenovic et al. show, using optical tweezers, that bacteria in dilute suspensions are mechanically coupled and show long-range correlated motion.
- Simon Sretenovic
- , Biljana Stojković
- & David Stopar
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| Open AccessDe novo evolved interference competition promotes the spread of biofilm defectors
The production of secreted polymers in bacterial biofilms is costly, and therefore mechanisms preventing invasion of non-producing mutants are hypothesized. Here, the authors show that non-producers can evolve the ability to better incorporate into biofilms via phage-mediated interference.
- Marivic Martin
- , Anna Dragoš
- & Ákos T. Kovács
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| Open AccessBacillus subtilis biofilm extends Caenorhabditis elegans longevity through downregulation of the insulin-like signalling pathway
Probiotic bacteria can improve host health, but the mechanisms underlying such beneficial effects are often unclear. Here, the authors show that biofilm formation of the probiotic bacteriumB. subtilis extends the lifespan of its host, the nematode C. elegans, by reducing insulin-like signalling.
- Verónica Donato
- , Facundo Rodríguez Ayala
- & Roberto Grau
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| Open AccessOxylipins produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa promote biofilm formation and virulence
Oxygenated fatty acids known as oxylipins play important roles in mammals, plants and fungi. Here, the authors show that oxylipins, produced by the pathogenic bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosa, promote biofilm formation and virulence.
- Eriel Martínez
- & Javier Campos-Gómez
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| Open AccessThe antifungal caspofungin increases fluoroquinolone activity against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms by inhibiting N-acetylglucosamine transferase
Biofilms formed byStaphylococcus aureus are poorly responsive to antibiotics. Here, Siala et al. show that an antifungal drug (caspofungin) enhances the activity of fluoroquinolone antibiotics against S. aureus biofilms by inhibiting an enzyme involved in synthesis of the biofilm matrix.
- Wafi Siala
- , Soňa Kucharíková
- & Françoise Van Bambeke
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| Open AccessChemotaxis towards autoinducer 2 mediates autoaggregation in Escherichia coli
A small molecule (autoinducer 2, or AI-2) regulates biofilm formation and virulence in several bacteria, but its role in Escherichia coli is unknown. Here, Laganenka et al. show that chemotaxis towards self-produced AI-2 mediates autoaggregation and promotes stress resistance and biofilm formation in E. coli.
- Leanid Laganenka
- , Remy Colin
- & Victor Sourjik
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| Open AccessNucleotide binding by the widespread high-affinity cyclic di-GMP receptor MshEN domain
Cyclic-di-GMP is a bacterial second messenger that binds to the regulatory domain of ATPases of some bacteria. Here, the authors report the crystal structure of this interaction, identify a cyclic-di-GMP binding mode, and show that this interaction might be important for bacterial biofilm formation.
- Yu-Chuan Wang
- , Ko-Hsin Chin
- & Shan-Ho Chou
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| Open AccessThe innate immune protein calprotectin promotes Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus interaction
Co-infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are common in cystic fibrosis patients. Here, the authors show that metal depletion induced by a host protein, calprotectin, promotes co-existence of both pathogens by inhibiting production of anti-staphylococcal molecules by P. aeruginosa.
- Catherine A. Wakeman
- , Jessica L. Moore
- & Eric P. Skaar
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| Open AccessFlow cytometry combined with viSNE for the analysis of microbial biofilms and detection of microplastics
The interpretation of high-dimensional flow cytometry data is difficult and time consuming. Here, Sgier et al.present an improved method that combines stain-free flow cytometry with viSNE data visualization for the analysis of microbial biofilms.
- Linn Sgier
- , Remo Freimann
- & Alexandra Kroll
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| Open AccessThiol reductive stress induces cellulose-anchored biofilm formation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
When grown in the lab, Mycobacterium tuberculosis can form pellicle biofilms. Here, Trivedi et al. show that thiol reductive stress (induced by dithiothreitol) triggers rapid formation of thicker biofilms containing cellulose as well as antibiotic-tolerant, metabolically active bacteria.
- Abhishek Trivedi
- , Parminder Singh Mavi
- & Ashwani Kumar
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| Open AccessExplosive cell lysis as a mechanism for the biogenesis of bacterial membrane vesicles and biofilms
Many bacteria release DNA and membrane vesicles through unclear mechanisms. Here, the authors show that a prophage endolysin is involved in the explosive lysis of a sub-population of cells in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, releasing cytoplasmic content and membrane fragments that rapidly form membrane vesicles.
- Lynne Turnbull
- , Masanori Toyofuku
- & Cynthia B. Whitchurch
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| Open AccessSelective labelling and eradication of antibiotic-tolerant bacterial populations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
Pathogenic bacteria can aggregate to form biofilms and develop tolerance to antibiotics. Here, the authors use a proteomics approach to study the development of tolerance to the antibiotic colistin in Pseudomonas aeruginosabiofilms, and show that co-treatment with a second compound kills the tolerant cells.
- Song Lin Chua
- , Joey Kuok Hoong Yam
- & Liang Yang
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| Open AccessDiscovery of cahuitamycins as biofilm inhibitors derived from a convergent biosynthetic pathway
Pathogenic microbes can often attach to surfaces and form biofilms that display increased antibiotic resistance. Here, the authors characterize the biosynthesis of a new class of natural products, the cahuitamycins, that inhibit formation of biofilms by the pathogenic bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii.
- Sung Ryeol Park
- , Ashootosh Tripathi
- & David H. Sherman
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| Open AccessElectrochemical camera chip for simultaneous imaging of multiple metabolites in biofilms
Much remains to be understood about the biochemical basis of microbial community behaviour in biofilms. Here the authors describe a novel electrochemical camera chip that allows simultaneous spatial imaging of multiple metabolites that are crucial to community behaviour within whole microbial biofilms.
- Daniel L. Bellin
- , Hassan Sakhtah
- & Kenneth L. Shepard
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| Open AccessQuorum sensing triggers the stochastic escape of individual cells from Pseudomonas putida biofilms
Bacteria secrete signalling molecules (AHLs) to coordinate actions such as biofilm formation and the release of public goods, in a process called quorum sensing. Here, the authors show that AHLs are stochastically produced and control asocial (self-directed) traits in young biofilms of P. putida.
- Gerardo Cárcamo-Oyarce
- , Putthapoom Lumjiaktase
- & Leo Eberl
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Programmable biofilm-based materials from engineered curli nanofibres
Bacterial cells use a self-generated extracellular matrix of various biomolecules in order to form biofilms and promote their stability. Here, the authors present a method for genetically controlling the composition of this extracellular matrix to yield more functional biofilms.
- Peter Q. Nguyen
- , Zsofia Botyanszki
- & Neel S. Joshi
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Dispersed cells represent a distinct stage in the transition from bacterial biofilm to planktonic lifestyles
Bacteria can grow as free living planktonic cells or as part of surface-associated biofilms. Here the authors show, for the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, that cells recently dispersed from biofilms are physiologically different from, and more virulent than, planktonic and biofilm cells.
- Song Lin Chua
- , Yang Liu
- & Liang Yang
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Integrated circuit-based electrochemical sensor for spatially resolved detection of redox-active metabolites in biofilms
The direct detection of metabolites secreted by cells can indicate how cellular dynamics affects population development. Here, the authors present an integrated circuit-based method for electrochemical imaging of redox-active signalling molecules with spatial resolution within bacterial colonies.
- Daniel L. Bellin
- , Hassan Sakhtah
- & Kenneth L. Shepard
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Virtual metagenome reconstruction from 16S rRNA gene sequences
Large-scale sequencing techniques have helped to understand the genetic diversity of little-known microbial communities. These authors demonstrate a cheaper alternative to direct sequencing—the construction of virtual metagenomes using gel electrophoresis and related genome sequences.
- Shujiro Okuda
- , Yuki Tsuchiya
- & Hisao Morisaki
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| Open AccessSynthetic quorum-sensing circuit to control consortial biofilm formation and dispersal in a microfluidic device
Engineered biofilms have applications in biorefineries. Here, Honget al. engineer bacteria to produce a combination of dispersal proteins and quorum sensing factors, and show that one dispersing bacterium can eliminate a biofilm formed by a colonizing bacterium.
- Seok Hoon Hong
- , Manjunath Hegde
- & Thomas K. Wood