Abstract
Biofilms are colonies of microorganisms, usually growing on solid-liquid interfaces, consisting of cells and a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Such colonies are often elaborately structured and highly dynamic, expanding through cell division and recruitment of cells from outside, and contracting via individual cells or flocs (groups of cells and biofilm matrix) detachment from the biofilm surface. Even amongst simplest single species bacterial biofilms, the behaviour (phenotype) of individual cells is highly heterogenous across the biofilm due to microenvironment variation (e.g. nutrient concentration, pH) and cell-cell signalling (quorum sensing); consequently, many researchers consider biofilms as more akin to multi-cellular organisms rather than a colony of autonomous individual cells.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
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