Biofilm Survival Strategies in Polluted Environments
Marc A. Demeter, Joseph A. Lemire, Raymond J. Turner and Joe J. Harrison
from: Biofilms in Bioremediation: Current Research and Emerging Technologies (Edited by: Gavin Lear). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2016) Pages: 43-56.
Abstract
Biofilm communities have the remarkable ability to withstand mechanical and toxic chemical perturbations that wipe out their planktonic cell counterparts. Many features of the biofilm mode-of-life protect microbial cells. These include an extracellular matrix, changes in cellular biochemistry, and social interactions that facilitate the exchange of metabolites, signal molecules and genetic material between cells. Here we provide a primer on the fundamental mechanical, physiological and ecological mechanisms that protect biofilm cells from antimicrobial substances and fluctuating shear forces. Biofilm research is not only advancing our understanding of these survival strategies, but also leading to the design of biofilm-based enrichment techniques that may harness new metabolic power for bioremediation read more ...
