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

Biofilms are three-dimensional structures containing one or more bacterial species embedded in extracellular polymeric substances. Although most biofilms are stationary, <i>Flavobacterium johnsoniae</i> 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. <i>F. johnsoniae</i> 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.

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Publication Details

Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2025-02-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2417327122
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.42

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article

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

David J. Beebe, Amanda Hurley, Jonathan H. Schrope, Shruthi Magesh et al.
3 citations
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
2.42
article

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

David J. Beebe, Amanda Hurley, Jonathan H. Schrope, Shruthi Magesh, Anna Huttenlocher A, Nayanna M. Mercado Soto, Jo Handelsman, Chao Li
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Biofilms are three-dimensional structures containing one or more bacterial species embedded in extracellular polymeric substances. Although most biofilms are stationary, <i>Flavobacterium johnsoniae</i> 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. <i>F. johnsoniae</i> 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.

Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesVol. 122(6)
University of Wisconsin–Madison (US), Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery (US), University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (US), Avanti (United Kingdom) (GB)
National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Army Research Office, Army Research Laboratory, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory
Life in Land
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
2.42
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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