Bacterial Signaling Across Biofilm Affected by Surface Structure
Published:19 Apr.2023 Source:Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bacteria are also able to communicate with each other through chemical signals, a behavior known as quorum signaling (QS). These chemical signals spread through a biofilm that colonies of bacteria form after they reach a certain density, and are used to help the colonies scavenge food, as well as defend against threats, like antibiotics. Researchers examined how different structures affects biofilm growth and QS by the bacteria in the presence of antibiotics. They found structure does have an effect on QS in some strains of the bacteria.
Similar to how cells within human tissues communicate and function together as a whole, bacteria are also able to communicate with each other through chemical signals, a behavior known as quorum signaling (QS). These chemical signals spread through a biofilm that colonies of bacteria form after they reach a certain density, and are used to help the colonies scavenge food, as well as defend against threats, like antibiotics.
"QS helps them to build infrastructure around them, like a city," described Dharmesh Parmar, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Jonathan Sweedler (CABBI/BSD/MMG), James R. Eiszner Family Endowed Chair in the department of chemistry. "Biofilms have channels, which allow passage of nutrients, and information in the form of chemical signals. They also allow crosstalk between colonies if there's a threat or the stress in the environment."