Probing the growth and mechanical properties of Bacillus subtilis biofilms through genetic mutation strategies.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial communities form biofilms on various surfaces by synthesizing a cohesive and protective extracellular matrix, and these biofilms protect microorganisms against harsh environmental conditions. Bacillus subtilis is a widely used experimental species, and its biofilms are used as representative models of beneficial biofilms. Specifically, B. subtilis biofilms are known to be rich in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and other biopolymers such as DNA and proteins like the amyloid protein TasA and the hydrophobic protein BslA. These materials, which form an interconnected, cohesive, three-dimensional polymer network, provide the mechanical stability of biofilms and mediate their adherence to surfaces among other functional contributions. Here, we explored how gene

SUBMITTER: Liu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9194759 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature