Self-organization of cellulose-producing microbial communities during biofilm spreading.

ABSTRACT: Matrix-secreting microorganisms form self-organizing biofilms that provide protection and mechanical robustness to the embedded microbial communities. Biofilms made by cellulose-producing bacteria from Komagataeibacter species are widely used for food and bio-manufacturing, but their self-organization in mixed microbial communities has not yet been reported. Here, we investigate the self-organization and spreading of biofilm communities comprising distinct cellulose-producing variants of K. sucrofermentans. Using fluorescently labeled strains grown on solid culture medium, mixed pairs of variants produced striking spatial patterns, with distinct strains dominating the inner and outer regions of the biofilm. The experiments reveal that pattern formation and the enrichment of o

SUBMITTER: Laurent JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12576783 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature