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Biofilms

Biofilms

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...

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Discovering CsgD Regulatory Targets in Salmonella Biofilm Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and High-Throughput Sequencing (ChIP-seq)

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Planktonic cell yield is linked to biofilm development.

Elanna Bester¹, Elizabeth A Edwards, Gideon M Wolfaardt

¹Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada.

Canadian Journal of Microbiology

|November 26, 2009

Summary

Biofilms release single cells into surrounding liquid within hours of attachment, not just after maturation. This early and continuous cell release impacts pathogen spread and biofouling.

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Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity

Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity

Published on: March 11, 2015

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Environmental Science
Biotechnology

Background:

Biofilms are microbial communities attached to surfaces.
Current understanding suggests detachment primarily occurs after biofilm maturation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate early planktonic cell release from biofilms.
To understand the dynamics of cell detachment throughout biofilm development.

Main Methods:

Utilized continuous-flow culture systems for pure and mixed-species biofilms.
Employed microscopy to observe cell movement within biofilms and in the bulk liquid.
Quantified planktonic cell yield over time.

Main Results:

Surface-associated microbes release planktonic cells as early as 6 hours post-attachment.
Biofilms yielded up to 1 x 10^6 cells/cm^2/hour after 24 hours.
Cell release increased with biofilm development, then plateaued at steady-state.

Conclusions:

Biofilm detachment is not limited to mature stages; significant cell release occurs early.
Early and continuous cell yield is influenced by biofilm development stage and environmental factors like flow rate and nutrient availability.
Findings enhance understanding of pathogen dissemination, biofouling, and microbial proliferation.