Density of founder cells affects spatial pattern formation and cooperation in Bacillus subtilis biofilms.

ABSTRACT: In nature, most bacteria live in surface-attached sedentary communities known as biofilms. Biofilms are often studied with respect to bacterial interactions. Many cells inhabiting biofilms are assumed to express 'cooperative traits', like the secretion of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). These traits can enhance biofilm-related properties, such as stress resilience or colony expansion, while being costly to the cells that express them. In well-mixed populations cooperation is difficult to achieve, because non-cooperative individuals can reap the benefits of cooperation without having to pay the costs. The physical process of biofilm growth can, however, result in the spatial segregation of cooperative from non-cooperative individuals. This segregation can prevent non-cooperative cells

SUBMITTER: van Gestel J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4184017 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature