Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference (한국미생물학회:학술대회논문집)

The Microbiological Society of Korea (한국미생물학회)
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Biofilm Differentiation and Dispersal

  • Kjelleberg, Staffan (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Barraud, Nicolas (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Egan, Suhelen (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Ho, Wing Ka (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Huynh, Trieu Tran (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Klebensberger, Janosch (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Koh, Kai Shyang (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Lucas-Elio, Patricia (Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Murcia) ;
  • Mai-Prochnow, Anne (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Marshall, Dustin J. (School of Integrative Biology/Centre for Marine Studies, University of Queensland) ;
  • Matz, Carsten (Division of Cell and Immune Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research) ;
  • McDougald, Diane (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Rice, Scott A. (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Sanchez-Amat, Antonio (Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Murcia) ;
  • Schleheck, David (Department of Biology, The University of Konstanz) ;
  • Shahbazi, Jeyran (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Steinberg, Peter D. (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Tan, Chuan Hao (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Thomas, Torsten (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales) ;
  • Webb, Jermy S. (School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East) ;
  • Woo, Jerry K.K. (Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, University of New South Wales)
  • Published : 2008.05.15
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Abstract

Bacterial biofilms are analogous to multi-cellular organisms or to clonal communities of higher organisms. In this respect, it can be demonstrated that biofilms display the type of genetic variation associated with macroorganisms. The formation of genetic variants from biofilms is the result of internally produced and regulated signals and the appearance of these variants coincides with dispersal from the biofilm. Moreover, the generation of such variation, has similar outcomes for the bacterial community, where diversification of phenotypic traits ensures that the bacterial community optimizes its chances of success when dispersing or surviving when challenged with environmental stress. These observations increase the complexity with which we view bacteria and also suggest that microbial systems can serve as models for the testing of eukaryotic ecological theories.

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