Co-zorbs: Motile, multispecies biofilms aid transport of diverse bacterial species

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Magesh, Shruthi; Schrope, Jonathan H.; Soto, Nayanna Mercado; Li, Chao; Hurley, Amanda I.; Huttenlocher, Anna; Beebe, David J.; Handelsman, Jo
• 署名单位: University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison; University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison; University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison; University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison; University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison; University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-8774
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2417327122
• 发表日期: 2025-02-11
• 关键词: exclusive liquid repellency; gliding motility; cell; TECHNOLOGY; infection

摘要

Biofilms are three- dimensional structures containing one or more bacterial species embedded in extracellular polymeric substances. Although most biofilms are stationary, Flavobacterium johnsoniae forms a motile spherical biofilm called a zorb, which is propelled by its base cells and contains a polysaccharide core. Here, we report the formation of spatially organized, motile, multispecies biofilms, designated co- zorbs, that are distinguished by a core-shell structure. F. johnsoniae forms zorbs whose cells collect other bacterial species and transport them to the zorb core, forming a co-zorb. Live imaging revealed that co-zorbs also form in zebrafish, thereby demonstrating a different type of bacterial movement in vivo. This finding opens different avenues for understanding community behaviors, the role of biofilms in bulk bacterial transport, and collective strategies for microbial success in various environments.