Angelini, T. E., Roper, Marcus, Kolter, R., Weitz, D. A. and Brenner, M. P. (2009) Bacillus subtilis spreads by surfing on waves of surfactant. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol.106 (No.43). pp. 18109-18113. doi:10.1073/pnas.0905890106 ISSN 0027-8424.

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Abstract

The bacterium Bacillus subtilis produces the molecule surfactin, which is known to enhance the spreading of multicellular colonies on nutrient substrates by lowering the surface tension of the surrounding fluid, and to aid in the formation of aerial structures. Here we present experiments and a mathematical model that demonstrate how the differential accumulation rates induced by the geometry of the bacterial film give rise to surfactant waves. The spreading flux increases with increasing biofilm viscosity. Community associations are known to protect bacterial populations from environmental challenges such as predation, heat, or chemical stresses, and enable digestion of a broader range of nutritive sources. This study provides evidence of enhanced dispersal through cooperative motility, and points to nonintuitive methods for controlling the spread of biofilms.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Mathematics
Journal or Publication Title:	Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Publisher:	National Academy of Sciences
ISSN:	0027-8424
Official Date:	2009
Dates:	Date Event 2009 Published
Volume:	Vol.106
Number:	No.43
Page Range:	pp. 18109-18113
DOI:	10.1073/pnas.0905890106
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

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