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Frederick, M.R.* ; Kuttler, C.* ; Hense, B.A. ; Eberl, H.J.*

A mathematical model of quorum sensing regulated EPS production in biofilm communities.

Theor. Biol. Med. Model. 8:8 (2011)
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BACKGROUND: Biofilms are microbial communities encased in a layer of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS matrix provides several functional purposes for the biofilm, such as protecting bacteria from environmental stresses, and providing mechanical stability. Quorum sensing is a cell-cell communication mechanism used by several bacterial taxa to coordinate gene expression and behaviour in groups, based on population densities. MODEL: We mathematically model quorum sensing and EPS production in a growing biofilm under various environmental conditions, to study how a developing biofilm impacts quorum sensing, and conversely, how a biofilm is affected by quorum sensing-regulated EPS production. We investigate circumstances when using quorum-sensing regulated EPS production is a beneficial strategy for biofilm cells. RESULTS: We find that biofilms that use quorum sensing to induce increased EPS production do not obtain the high cell populations of low-EPS producers, but can rapidly increase their volume to parallel high-EPS producers. Quorum sensing-induced EPS production allows a biofilm to switch behaviours, from a colonization mode (with an optimized growth rate), to a protection mode.CONCLUSIONS: A biofilm will benefit from using quorum sensing-induced EPS production if bacteria cells have the objective of acquiring a thick, protective layer of EPS, or if they wish to clog their environment with biomass as a means of securing nutrient supply and outcompeting other colonies in the channel, of their own or a different species.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Corresponding Author
Keywords Extracellular polymeric substances; Pseudomonas-aeruginosa biofilms; phase-field models; Exopolysaccharide production; Bacterial biofilms; Matrix; StewartII; Diffusion; Lactone; Growth
e-ISSN 1742-4682
Journal Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling
Quellenangaben Volume: 8 Issue: , Pages: , Article Number: 8 Supplement: ,
Publisher BioMed Central
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Biomathematics and Biometry (IBB)