Abstract 1777 Investigating the Role of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (PDH) Phosphorylation in Biofilm Formation in Δhnox Caulobacter crescentus

Bacterial biofilms are highly organized microbial communities encased in an extracellular polymeric matrix composed of proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids. These structures provide bacteria with a protective barrier, enabling survival under environmental stresses such as antibiotics, extreme pH, and temperature fluctuations. As a result, biofilms play a critical role in chronic infections and industrial biofouling. Bacterial heme nitric oxide/oxygen binding proteins (H-NOX) are a group of gas-sensing molecules that help bacteria adapt to the presence of the toxic gas nitric oxide.