Phenotypic heterogeneity and population dynamics in biofilms

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Erika Kothe, since 7/2017
• Subject Area: Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology ; Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 276408659

Biofilms are environmentally relevant lifestyles of microorganisms. Biofilms are usually isolated from surfaces or interfaces, where cells grow together, differentiate, and produce a matrix. This matrix also protects them from environmental insults, such as antimicrobials and several other stress conditions. Due to its remarkable resistance features, inhibition or promotion of biofilm development receives substantial attention in both health sciences and biotechnology. Biofilms possess high complexity that is changing in time and space. The secreted biofilm matrix is regarded a public good that can be exploited by non-producers. Moreover, microbes employ various strategies to retain the benefits for their own offspring. One solution for this public good dilemma is provided by the spatial distribution of microbes. However, in well mixed populations, different mechanisms should exist to help microbes to privatize secreted compounds. Our long term goal is to understand and control biofilm development and population dynamics. In this project, we will examine how phenotypic heterogeneity influences population dynamics in Bacillus subtilis biofilms and we will investigate the feedback mechanisms that act on public good producers in the presence of non-producers. Finally, the evolutionary adaptation will be scrutinized that occurs in the producer population in the presence of free-riders and during mutualism. Assessment of processes associated with microbial cooperation is a promising way for treatment regimes that minimize resistance or for improvement of desirable biofilm formation. Therefore, an improved understanding the population heterogeneity and dynamics in a biofilm community, such as the biofilms of B. subtilis will assist us to increase our tools to modify biofilm structure and resistance.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1617: Phenotypic Heterogeneity and Sociobiology of Bacterial Populations
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Ákos Tibor Kovács, Ph.D., until 6/2017