Interaktion und Kommunikation von Bakterien in Biofilmen. Teilen Oberflächen-assoziierte Bakterien Aufgaben unter sich auf?

• Antragstellerin: Dr. Heike Laue
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Stoffwechselphysiologie, Biochemie und Genetik der Mikroorganismen
• Förderung: Förderung von 2001 bis 2004
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 5320200

In their natural environment bacteria very often live in multispecies, surface-bound communities that can be compared to multicellular organisms. The bacteria are embedded in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) containing in most cases polysaccharides and proteins, but also nucleic acids and lipids. The characteristics of a biofilm are the heterogeneous distribution of nutrients, oxygen and biomass, and in most locations of the biofilm, food is limited. Thus, the distribution of different functions between the members of a sessile community would be advantageous. The aim of this research project is to get a fundamental understanding of the interaction and commensal relationship of simple and complex microbial communities. The spatial distribution of metabolic activities of bacteria in biofilms will be investigated and the role of the EPS for the total community evaluated.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien
• Internationaler Bezug: Dänemark, Schweiz
• Kooperationspartner: Professor Dr. Soeren Molin