Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
09:21
Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity
Published on: March 11, 2015
10.3K
Massive Integration of Planktonic Cells within a Developing Biofilm
Nay El-Khoury1,2, Imene Bennaceur1, Emilie Verplaetse1
1Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Microorganisms
|February 5, 2021
Summary
Bacillus thuringiensis planktonic cells integrate into the biofilm pellicle, not through death or settling. This bacterial cell recruitment into the biofilm shows spatial heterogeneity within the structure.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial biofilms
- Cellular dynamics
Background:
- Biofilm development involves dynamic interactions between planktonic (free-swimming) and sessile (attached) bacterial cells.
- Understanding these population exchanges is crucial for comprehending biofilm architecture and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fate of planktonic cells during the formation of a Bacillus thuringiensis biofilm pellicle.
- To determine the mechanism of planktonic cell population decrease during biofilm growth.
- To analyze the spatial distribution of recruited planktonic cells within the biofilm.
Main Methods:
- Glass tube assays were used to monitor biofilm growth.
- Time-lapse spectrophotometry measured planktonic population dynamics.
- Fluorescence microscopy with GFP and mCherry tagging tracked cell distribution.
Main Results:
- Planktonic Bacillus thuringiensis cells decreased rapidly as the pellicle formed, with the population integrating into the biofilm.
- This integration was induced by the pellicle's presence and dependent on oxygen availability, ruling out cell death or sedimentation.
- Recruited planktonic cells occupied specific, less dense areas within the biofilm, indicating spatial heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Planktonic cells are actively recruited into the Bacillus thuringiensis biofilm pellicle.
- The spatial distribution of recruited cells within the biofilm is non-uniform, suggesting microenvironmental influences on cell integration.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Biofilms
724
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...
724
01:20Plasmodesmata
3.5K
In a multicellular organism, cells must communicate to work together in a coordinated manner. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.
Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal cells include tight junctions, gap junctions, and...
Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal cells include tight junctions, gap junctions, and...
3.5K
02:32Plasmodesmata
34.2K
The organs in a multicellular organism’s body are made up of tissues formed by cells. To work together cohesively, cells must communicate. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.
34.2K
01:27Diversity of Protists IV
565
Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
565
01:22Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane
2.1K
Cell division and enlargement are processes that require precise control. The control ensures that cell division cannot proceed unless the cell has grown to a specific size. A spherical, dividing cell requires an approximately 1.6X increase in its surface area to double its volume. The secretory pathway also has a significant role in cell membrane enlargement. Secretory vesicles that bud off from the Golgi apparatus and later fuse with the plasma membrane during exocytosis are a major source of...
2.1K
01:39Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
2.8K
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
2.8K