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Nature reviews.Microbiology

Nat.Rev.Microbiol.

11-Aug

14

9

563

575

JID: 101190261; ppublish

England

1740-1534; 1740-1526

PMID: 27510863

eng

Journal Article; IM

10.1038/nrmicro.2016.94 [doi]

Unknown(0)

27510863

Bacterial biofilms are formed by communities that are embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Importantly, bacteria in biofilms exhibit a set of 'emergent properties' that differ substantially from free-living bacterial cells. In this Review, we consider the fundamental role of the biofilm matrix in establishing the emergent properties of biofilms, describing how the characteristic features of biofilms - such as social cooperation, resource capture and enhanced survival of exposure to antimicrobials - all rely on the structural and functional properties of the matrix. Finally, we highlight the value of an ecological perspective in the study of the emergent properties of biofilms, which enables an appreciation of the ecological success of biofilms as habitat formers and, more generally, as a bacterial lifestyle.

Flemming,H.C., Wingender,J., Szewzyk,U., Steinberg,P., Rice,S.A., Kjelleberg,S.

University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Chemistry, Biofilm Centre, Universitatsstrasse 5, D-45141 Essen, Germany.; University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Chemistry, Biofilm Centre, Universitatsstrasse 5, D-45141 Essen, Germany.; Technical University of

http://vp9py7xf3h.search.serialssolutions.com/?charset=utf-8&pmid=27510863

2016