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Kim SY, Kim M, Kim TJ. Regulation of σ B-Dependent Biofilm Formation in Staphylococcus aureus through Strain-Specific Signaling Induced by Diosgenin. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2376. [PMID: 37894034 PMCID: PMC10609180 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal skin bacterium and a causative agent of infectious diseases. Biofilm formation in S. aureus is a mechanism that facilitates the emergence of resistant strains. This study proposes a mechanism for the regulation of biofilm formation in S. aureus through strain-specific physiological changes induced by the plant steroid diosgenin. A comparison of diosgenin-induced changes in the expression of regulatory genes associated with physiological changes revealed the intracellular regulatory mechanisms involved in biofilm formation. Diosgenin reduced biofilm formation in S. aureus ATCC 6538 and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) CCARM 3090 by 39% and 61%, respectively. Conversely, it increased biofilm formation in S. aureus ATCC 29213 and MRSA CCARM 3820 by 186% and 582%, respectively. Cell surface hydrophobicity and extracellular protein and carbohydrate contents changed in a strain-specific manner in response to biofilm formation. An assessment of the changes in gene expression associated with biofilm formation revealed that diosgenin treatment decreased the expression of icaA and spa and increased the expression of RNAIII, agrA, sarA, and sigB in S. aureus ATCC 6538 and MRSA CCARM 3090; however, contrasting gene expression changes were noted in S. aureus ATCC 29213 and MRSA CCARM 3820. These results suggest that a regulatory mechanism of biofilm formation is that activated sigB expression sequentially increases the expression of sarA, agrA, and RNAIII. This increased RNAIII expression decreases the expression of spa, a surface-associated adhesion factor. An additional regulatory mechanism of biofilm formation is that activated sigB expression decreases the expression of an unknown regulator that increases the expression of icaA. This in turn decreases the expression of icaA, which decreases the synthesis of polysaccharide intercellular adhesins and ultimately inhibits biofilm formation. By assessing strain-specific contrasting regulatory signals induced by diosgenin in S. aureus without gene mutation, this study elucidated the signal transduction mechanisms that regulate biofilm formation based on physiological and gene expression changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tae-Jong Kim
- Department of Forest Products and Biotechnology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
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2
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Ameer S, Ibrahim H, Yaseen MU, Kulsoom F, Cinti S, Sher M. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy-Based Sensing of Biofilms: A Comprehensive Review. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:777. [PMID: 37622863 PMCID: PMC10452506 DOI: 10.3390/bios13080777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that can form on various surfaces, including medical devices, industrial equipment, and natural environments. The presence of biofilms can lead to a range of problems, including infections, reduced efficiency and failure of equipment, biofouling or spoilage, and environmental damage. As a result, there is a growing need for tools to measure and monitor levels of biofilms in various biomedical, pharmaceutical, and food processing settings. In recent years, electrochemical impedance sensing has emerged as a promising approach for real-time, non-destructive, and rapid monitoring of biofilms. This article sheds light on electrochemical sensing for measuring biofilms, including its high sensitivity, non-destructive nature, versatility, low cost, and real-time monitoring capabilities. We also discussed some electrochemical sensing applications for studying biofilms in medical, environmental, and industrial settings. This article also presents future perspectives for research that would lead to the creation of reliable, quick, easy-to-use biosensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), utilizing artificial intelligence-based terminologies to detect biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikander Ameer
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Hussam Ibrahim
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Muhammad Usama Yaseen
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Fnu Kulsoom
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Havelian 22500, Pakistan
| | - Stefano Cinti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
- BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Napoli “Federico II”, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Mazhar Sher
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
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3
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Warrier A, Satyamoorthy K, Murali TS. Quorum-sensing regulation of virulence factors in bacterial biofilm. Future Microbiol 2021; 16:1003-1021. [PMID: 34414776 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2020-0301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic polymicrobial wound infections are often characterized by the presence of bacterial biofilms. They show considerable structural and functional heterogeneity, which influences the choice of antimicrobial therapy and wound healing dynamics. The hallmarks of biofilm-associated bacterial infections include elevated antibiotic resistance and extreme pathogenicity. Biofilm helps bacteria to evade the host defense mechanisms and persist longer in the host. Quorum-sensing (QS)-mediated cell signaling primarily regulates biofilm formation in chronic infections and plays a major role in eliciting virulence. This review focuses on the QS mechanisms of two major bacterial pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and explains how they interact in the wound microenvironment to regulate biofilm development and virulence. The review also provides an insight into the treatment modalities aimed at eradicating polymicrobial biofilms. This information will help us develop better diagnostic modalities and devise effective treatment regimens to successfully manage and overcome severe life-threatening bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Warrier
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Thokur Sreepathy Murali
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.,Manipal Center for Infectious Diseases (MAC ID), Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
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4
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Pönisch W, Eckenrode KB, Alzurqa K, Nasrollahi H, Weber C, Zaburdaev V, Biais N. Pili mediated intercellular forces shape heterogeneous bacterial microcolonies prior to multicellular differentiation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16567. [PMID: 30410109 PMCID: PMC6224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34754-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcolonies are aggregates of a few dozen to a few thousand cells exhibited by many bacteria. The formation of microcolonies is a crucial step towards the formation of more mature bacterial communities known as biofilms, but also marks a significant change in bacterial physiology. Within a microcolony, bacteria forgo a single cell lifestyle for a communal lifestyle hallmarked by high cell density and physical interactions between cells potentially altering their behaviour. It is thus crucial to understand how initially identical single cells start to behave differently while assembling in these tight communities. Here we show that cells in the microcolonies formed by the human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) present differential motility behaviors within an hour upon colony formation. Observation of merging microcolonies and tracking of single cells within microcolonies reveal a heterogeneous motility behavior: cells close to the surface of the microcolony exhibit a much higher motility compared to cells towards the center. Numerical simulations of a biophysical model for the microcolonies at the single cell level suggest that the emergence of differential behavior within a multicellular microcolony of otherwise identical cells is of mechanical origin. It could suggest a route toward further bacterial differentiation and ultimately mature biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Pönisch
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University City London, London, UK
| | - Kelly B Eckenrode
- Brooklyn College of CUNY, Department of Biology, Brooklyn, USA
- Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, USA
| | - Khaled Alzurqa
- Brooklyn College of CUNY, Department of Biology, Brooklyn, USA
| | - Hadi Nasrollahi
- Brooklyn College of CUNY, Department of Biology, Brooklyn, USA
| | - Christoph Weber
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vasily Zaburdaev
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany.
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Nicolas Biais
- Brooklyn College of CUNY, Department of Biology, Brooklyn, USA.
- Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, USA.
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Aguilar B, Ghaffarizadeh A, Johnson CD, Podgorski GJ, Shmulevich I, Flann NS. Cell death as a trigger for morphogenesis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191089. [PMID: 29565975 PMCID: PMC5863959 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex morphologies observed in many biofilms play a critical role in the survival of these microbial communities. Recently, the formation of wrinkles has been the focus of many studies aimed at finding fundamental information on morphogenesis during development. While the underlying genetic mechanisms of wrinkling are not well-understood, recent discoveries have led to the counterintuitive idea that wrinkle formation is triggered by localized cell death. This work examines the hypothesis that the material properties of a biofilm both power and control wrinkle formation within biofilms in response to localized cell death. Using an agent-based model and a high-performance platform (Biocellion), we built a model that qualitatively reproduced wrinkle formation in biofilms due to cell death. Through the use of computational simulations, we determined important relationships between cellular level mechanical interactions and changes in colony morphology. These simulations were also used to identify significant cellular interactions that are required for wrinkle formation. These results are a first step towards more comprehensive models that, in combination with experimental observations, will improve our understanding of the morphological development of bacterial biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Aguilar
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | | | | | - Gregory J. Podgorski
- Biology Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States of America
- Center for Integrated BioSystems, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States of America
| | - Ilya Shmulevich
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Nicholas S. Flann
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Computer Science Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States of America
- Synthetic Biomanufacturing Institute, Logan, UT, United States of America
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6
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Adegoke AA, Stenström TA, Okoh AI. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as an Emerging Ubiquitous Pathogen: Looking Beyond Contemporary Antibiotic Therapy. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2276. [PMID: 29250041 PMCID: PMC5714879 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a commensal and an emerging pathogen earlier noted in broad-spectrum life threatening infections among the vulnerable, but more recently as a pathogen in immunocompetent individuals. The bacteria are consistently being implicated in necrotizing otitis, cutaneous infections including soft tissue infection and keratitis, endocarditis, meningitis, acute respiratory tract infection (RTI), bacteraemia (with/without hematological malignancies), tropical pyomyositis, cystic fibrosis, septic arthritis, among others. S. maltophilia is also an environmental bacteria occurring in water, rhizospheres, as part of the animals' microflora, in foods, and several other microbiota. This review highlights clinical reports on S. maltophilia both as an opportunistic and as true pathogen. Also, biofilm formation as well as quorum sensing, extracellular enzymes, flagella, pili/fimbriae, small colony variant, other virulence or virulence-associated factors, the antibiotic resistance factors, and their implications are considered. Low outer membrane permeability, natural MDR efflux systems, and/or resistance genes, resistance mechanisms like the production of two inducible chromosomally encoded β-lactamases, and lack of carefully compiled patient history are factors that pose great challenges to the S. maltophilia control arsenals. The fluoroquinolone, some tetracycline derivatives and trimethoprim-sulphamethaxole (TMP-SMX) were reported as effective antibiotics with good therapeutic outcome. However, TMP-SMX resistance and allergies to sulfa together with high toxicity of fluoroquinolone are notable setbacks. S. maltophilia's production and sustenance of biofilm by quorum sensing enhance their virulence, resistance to antibiotics and gene transfer, making quorum quenching an imperative step in Stenotrophomonas control. Incorporating several other proven approaches like bioengineered bacteriophage therapy, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), essential oil, nanoemulsions, and use of cationic compounds are promising alternatives which can be incorporated in Stenotrophomonas control arsenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony A Adegoke
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.,Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.,SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Thor A Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Anthony I Okoh
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.,SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
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Stanley CE, Grossmann G, i Solvas XC, deMello AJ. Soil-on-a-Chip: microfluidic platforms for environmental organismal studies. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:228-41. [PMID: 26645910 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc01285f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Soil is the habitat of countless organisms and encompasses an enormous variety of dynamic environmental conditions. While it is evident that a thorough understanding of how organisms interact with the soil environment may have substantial ecological and economical impact, current laboratory-based methods depend on reductionist approaches that are incapable of simulating natural diversity. The application of Lab-on-a-Chip or microfluidic technologies to organismal studies is an emerging field, where the unique benefits afforded by system miniaturisation offer new opportunities for the experimentalist. Indeed, precise spatiotemporal control over the microenvironments of soil organisms in combination with high-resolution imaging has the potential to provide an unprecedented view of biological events at the single-organism or single-cell level, which in turn opens up new avenues for environmental and organismal studies. Herein we review some of the most recent and interesting developments in microfluidic technologies for the study of soil organisms and their interactions with the environment. We discuss how so-called "Soil-on-a-Chip" technology has already contributed significantly to the study of bacteria, nematodes, fungi and plants, as well as inter-organismal interactions, by advancing experimental access and environmental control. Most crucially, we highlight where distinct advantages over traditional approaches exist and where novel biological insights will ensue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Stanley
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Guido Grossmann
- Cell Networks-Cluster of Excellence and Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Universität Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Andrew J deMello
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
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Bernardi T, Badel S, Mayer P, Groelly J, de Frémont P, Jacques B, Braunstein P, Teyssot ML, Gaulier C, Cisnetti F, Gautier A, Roland S. High-throughput screening of metal-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes against biofilm formation by pathogenic bacteria. ChemMedChem 2014; 9:1140-4. [PMID: 24729552 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201402012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A set of molecules including a majority of metal-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes (metal=Ag, Cu, and Au) and azolium salts were evaluated by high-throughput screening of their activity against biofilm formation associated with pathogenic bacteria. The anti-planktonic effects were compared in parallel. Representative biofilm-forming strains of various genera were selected (Listeria, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Escherichia). All the compounds were tested at 1 mg L(-1) by using the BioFilm Ring Test. An information score (IS, sum of the activities) and an activity score (AS, difference between anti-biofilm and anti-planktonic activity) were determined from normalized experimental values to classify the most active molecules against the panel of bacterial strains. With this method we identified lipophilic Ag(I) and Cu(I) complexes possessing aromatic groups on the NHC ligand as the most efficient at inhibiting biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Bernardi
- Biofilm Control SAS, Biopôle Clermont-Limagne, 63360 Saint-Beauzire (France).
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Brown HL, van Vliet AHM, Betts RP, Reuter M. Tetrazolium reduction allows assessment of biofilm formation by Campylobacter jejuni in a food matrix model. J Appl Microbiol 2013; 115:1212-21. [PMID: 23910098 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To develop a staining method for specific detection of metabolically active (viable) cells in biofilms of the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. METHODS AND RESULTS Conversion of 2,3,5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) to insoluble, red 1,3,5-triphenylformazan (TPF) was dependent on metabolic activity of Camp. jejuni. When used with chicken juice, TTC staining allowed quantification of Camp. jejuni biofilm levels, whereas the commonly used dye, crystal violet, gave high levels of nonspecific staining of food matrix components (chicken juice). The assay was optimized to allow for monitoring of biofilm levels and adapted to monitor levels of Camp. jejuni in broth media. CONCLUSIONS Staining with TTC allows for the quantification of metabolically active Camp. jejuni and thus allows for quantification of viable cells in biofilms and food matrices. The TTC staining method can be adapted to quantify bacterial cell concentration in a food matrix model, where the accepted method of A600 measurement is not suitable due to interference by components of the food matrix. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY 2,3,5 Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining is a low-cost technique suitable for use in biofilm analysis, allowing rapid and simple imaging of metabolically active cells and increasing the methods available for biofilm assessment and quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Brown
- Institute of Food Research, Gut Health and Food Safety Programme, Norwich, UK
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10
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Bordi C, de Bentzmann S. Hacking into bacterial biofilms: a new therapeutic challenge. Ann Intensive Care 2011; 1:19. [PMID: 21906350 PMCID: PMC3224501 DOI: 10.1186/2110-5820-1-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Accepted: 06/13/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbiologists have extensively worked during the past decade on a particular phase of the bacterial cell cycle known as biofilm, in which single-celled individuals gather together to form a sedentary but dynamic community within a complex structure, displaying spatial and functional heterogeneity. In response to the perception of environmental signals by sensing systems, appropriate responses are triggered, leading to biofilm formation. This process involves various molecular systems that enable bacteria to identify appropriate surfaces on which to anchor themselves, to stick to those surfaces and to each other, to construct multicellular communities several hundreds of micrometers thick, and to detach from the community. The biofilm microbial community is a unique, highly competitive, and crowded environment facilitating microevolutionary processes and horizontal gene transfer between distantly related microorganisms. It is governed by social rules, based on the production and use of "public" goods, with actors and recipients. Biofilms constitute a unique shield against external aggressions, including drug treatment and immune reactions. Biofilm-associated infections in humans have therefore generated major problems for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Improvements in our understanding of biofilms have led to innovative research designed to interfere with this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Bordi
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, UPR9027 CNRS - Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille, France.
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Ortega-Morales BO, Chan-Bacab MJ, De la Rosa-García SDC, Camacho-Chab JC. Valuable processes and products from marine intertidal microbial communities. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2010; 21:346-52. [PMID: 20202811 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2010.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2009] [Revised: 01/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Microbial communities are ubiquitous in marine intertidal environments. These communities, which grow preferentially as biofilms on natural and artificial surfaces, carry out key processes contributing to the functioning of coastal environments and providing valuable services to human society, including carbon cycling, primary productivity, trophic linkage, and transfer and removal of pollutants. In addition, their surface-associated life style greatly influences the integrity and performance of marine infrastructure and archaeological heritage materials. The fluctuating conditions of the intertidal zone make it an extreme environment to which intertidal biofilm organisms must adapt at varying levels. This requirement has probably favored the development and spread of specific microorganisms with particular physiological and metabolic processes. These organisms may have potential biotechnological utility, in that they may provide novel secondary metabolites, biopolymers, lipids, and enzymes and even processes for the production of energy in a sustainable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín Otto Ortega-Morales
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología Ambiental y Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Agustín Melgar s/n, Col. Buenavista, 24039 Campeche, Mexico.
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