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Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexota cooperate to structure light-responsive biofilms

Summary

Researchers studied how two types of bacteria found in hot spring mats work together to form stronger communities. When cultured alone, one bacterium moved toward light while the other moved randomly and one was better at forming sticky biofilms. When combined, the bacteria moved together toward light more effectively and created much stronger biofilms, suggesting they cooperate to build the layered structures seen in natural hot spring ecosystems.

Background

Microbial mats are dense, stratified communities dominated by phototrophs that thrive in extreme environments. These communities experience rapid fluctuations in light conditions that drive metabolic and behavioral responses. Understanding how different microbial species cooperate to assemble and maintain mat structures remains poorly understood.

Objective

To investigate how bacterial motility, physical interactions, and light responses affect microbial mat assembly using a binary consortium model. The study examines whether cyanobacteria and Chloroflexota cooperate through motility and biofilm formation when combined.

Results

The binary consortium exhibited enhanced motility toward light compared to individual species, with Chfl MS-1 showing apparent phototaxis only in consortium. Microscopy revealed ordered parallel arrangements of cells aligned with the light source. The consortium produced significantly more adherent biofilm than single species, with electron microscopy showing close physical associations and potential extracellular polymeric substance connections between species.

Conclusion

Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexota demonstrate cooperative behavior in motility and biofilm formation that may explain natural mat assembly. These findings provide insights into mat architecture dynamics and suggest applications for biofilm engineering in industrial settings such as wastewater treatment and biofuel production.
  • Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39879238, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2423574122
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