Multiscale modeling of bacterial colonies: how pili mediate the dynamics of single cells and cellular aggregates.

ABSTRACT: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, gonorrhea. Over the past two decades there has been an alarming increase of reported gonorrhea cases where the bacteria were resistant to the most commonly used antibiotics thus prompting for alternative antimicrobial treatment strategies. The crucial step in this and many other bacterial infections is the formation of microcolonies, agglomerates consisting of up to several thousands of cells. The attachment and motility of cells on solid substrates as well as the cell-cell interactions are primarily mediated by type IV pili, long polymeric filaments protruding from the surface of cells. While the crucial role of pili in the assembly of microcolonies has been well recognized, the ex

SUBMITTER: Ponisch W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8132470 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature