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Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
Published on: October 29, 2016
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Development of Spatial Distribution Patterns by Biofilm Cells
Janus A J Haagensen1, Susse K Hansen2, Bjarke B Christensen3
1Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Hørsholm, Denmark.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|June 28, 2015
Summary
Microbial communities form distinct spatial patterns. Acinetobacter sp. C6 self-organizes into uniform microcolonies, crucial for the symbiotic Pseudomonas putida, enhancing overall fitness and productivity.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Biofilm Formation
- Spatial Patterning
Background:
- Microbial spatial patterns are common in nature (e.g., biofilms, soil).
- A symbiotic consortium of Pseudomonas putida and Acinetobacter sp. C6 shows enhanced fitness through spatial organization.
- P. putida relies on Acinetobacter sp. C6 microcolonies for attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the self-organization processes driving Acinetobacter sp. C6 microcolony formation.
- To understand the ecological factors influencing this spatial arrangement.
- To relate these findings to macroecology and coadaptation in microbial communities.
Main Methods:
- Ecological spatial pattern analysis.
- Time-lapse confocal microscopy at the single-cell level.
- Investigation of environmental and historical contingency factors.
Main Results:
- Acinetobacter sp. C6 microcolonies exhibit a uniform, non-random spatial distribution.
- Microcolony formation results from self-organization: small clusters move and fuse.
- This process is influenced by carbon source, oxygen availability, and phenotypic variation.
Conclusions:
- Acinetobacter sp. C6 actively self-organizes into microcolonies through cluster movement and fusion.
- Environmental and historical factors shape this spatial self-organization.
- Findings enhance understanding of natural spatial distribution patterns and engineered microbial communities for bioprocessing.
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