Predation Dynamics and Virulence in Bacterial Biofilms
Summary
Bacterial biofilms are structured communities of cells embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Within these assemblages, individual and collective traits converge to confer heightened resistance to environmental threats, notably predation by protozoa and other microbial grazers. Predation dynamics govern the selective pressures that shape both community architecture and the evolution of dual-use factors: molecules or behaviours that enhance survival in the environment while simultaneously acting as virulence determinants in animal or human hosts. Biofilm formation, extracellular polymeric composition, cell‐to‐cell signalling, and surface modifications operate in concert to deter ingestion or digestion by predators. Rapid adaptation under predation pressure can drive genetic changes in key regulators of motility, toxin production and matrix synthesis, often resulting in trade-offs between acute virulence and long-term persistence. Understanding the interplay between predation defences and pathogenic potential is crucial for the development of novel strategies to control biofilm‐associated infections, mitigate microbial resistance and harness beneficial biofilms in industrial or environmental applications.
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Predation Dynamics and Virulence in Bacterial Biofilms publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in predation dynamics and virulence in bacterial biofilms across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Biofilm: A surface-attached microbial community encased within a self-produced matrix of polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids.
Predation dynamics: The ecological and evolutionary interactions between microbial predators (for example protozoa) and their bacterial prey, shaping survival and community composition.
Virulence factor: A molecular trait or mechanism by which a microbe enhances its capacity to cause disease in a host.
Quorum sensing: A cell-to-cell communication system in bacteria that uses diffusible signals to coordinate gene expression according to population density.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS): A major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, comprising lipid A, a core oligosaccharide and O-antigen, involved in host and predator interactions.
References
- Associational Resistance to Predation by Protists in a Mixed Species Biofilm. Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2023).
- The Oligosaccharide Region of LPS Governs Predation of E. coli by the Bacterivorous Protist, Acanthamoeba castellanii. Microbiology Spectrum (2023).
- Adaptation to an Amoeba Host Leads to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates with Attenuated Virulence. Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2022).
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