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Coupling between distant biofilms and emergence of nutrient time-sharing
Jintao Liu1, Rosa Martinez-Corral2, Arthur Prindle1
1Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 8, 2017
Summary
Distant bacterial communities can synchronize their growth using electrical signals. This coordination allows for time-sharing of nutrients, enhancing growth even with limited resources.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Systems Biology
- Bioelectricity
Background:
- Bacteria within communities can organize behavior through interactions.
- Coordination of behavior between distant bacterial populations was previously unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if electrical signaling can couple distant bacterial biofilm communities.
- To understand how coupled biofilms manage nutrient competition and synchronize growth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Bacillus subtilis biofilm communities.
- Observed metabolic oscillations and electrical signaling.
- Employed mathematical modeling to predict and analyze biofilm behavior.
Main Results:
- Two Bacillus subtilis biofilm communities coupled via electrical signals synchronized growth.
- Coupling led to synchronized nutrient demand, increasing competition.
- Biofilms switched from in-phase to antiphase oscillations, enabling time-sharing of nutrients.
Conclusions:
- Distant biofilms can coordinate behavior through electrical signaling and time-sharing.
- Time-sharing allows biofilms to increase growth under nutrient limitation.
- This strategy mirrors resource allocation in engineered systems.
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