Initiation of swarming in <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> as a resolution for the sorites paradox in bacteria
. We place single planktonic cells onto agar and monitor the biological and physical phases as they transition into an active, swarming cohort. We identify four distinct, nonoverlapping stages enroute to swarming. Using different mutants, we pinpoint the roles of specific cellular processes in the buildup of collective motion. Our results provide a detailed description of the transition from planktonic to a swarming lifestyle-a hallmark of bacterial adaptability to changing environments.
Authors
- Shira Omer Bendori
- Avigdor Eldar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8485-9370)
- Gil Ariel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7251-5383)
- Daniel B. Kearns (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3460-8378)
- Avraham Be’er (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5431-1352)
- Ajesh Jose (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4826-119X)
Institutions
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL)
- Bar-Ilan University (IL)
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- Indiana University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Published
- 2026-04-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2534573123
- Primary Topic
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health