Four species of bacteria deterministically assemble to form a stable biofilm in a millifluidic channel

A. Monmeyran , W. Benyoussef , P. Thomen , N. Dahmane , A. Baliarda , M. Jules , S. Aymerich , N. Henry

Bibtex , URL , Full text PDF
NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes, 7, 1, 64
Published 02 Jan. 2021
DOI: 10.1038/s41522-021-00233-4
ISSN: 2055-5008

Abstract

Multispecies microbial adherent communities are widespread in nature and organisms, although the principles of their assembly and development remain unclear. Here, we test the possibility of establishing a simplified but relevant model of multispecies biofilm in a non-invasive laboratory setup for the real-time monitoring of community development. We demonstrate that the four chosen species (Bacillus thuringiensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Kocuria varians, and Rhodocyclus sp.) form a dynamic community that deterministically reaches its equilibrium after ~30 h of growth. We reveal the emergence of complexity in this simplified community as reported by an increase in spatial heterogeneity and non-monotonic developmental kinetics. Importantly, we find interspecies interactions consisting of competition for resources-particularly oxygen-and both direct and indirect physical interactions. The simplified experimental model opens new avenues to the study of adherent bacterial communities and their behavior in the context of rapid global change.

Cette publication est associée à :

Biophysique des micro-organismes Communautés adhérentes multi-espèces