Influence of Nutrient Availability and Quorum Sensing on the Formation of Metabolically Inactive Microcolonies Within Structurally Heterogeneous Bacterial Biofilms: An Individual-Based 3D Cellular Automata Model

Machineni, L and Rajapantul, A and Nandamuri, V and Pawar, Parag D (2017) Influence of Nutrient Availability and Quorum Sensing on the Formation of Metabolically Inactive Microcolonies Within Structurally Heterogeneous Bacterial Biofilms: An Individual-Based 3D Cellular Automata Model. Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, 79 (3). pp. 594-618. ISSN 0092-8240

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Abstract

The resistance of bacterial biofilms to antibiotic treatment has been attributed to the emergence of structurally heterogeneous microenvironments containing metabolically inactive cell populations. In this study, we use a three-dimensional individual-based cellular automata model to investigate the influence of nutrient availability and quorum sensing on microbial heterogeneity in growing biofilms. Mature biofilms exhibited at least three structurally distinct strata: a high-volume, homogeneous region sandwiched between two compact sections of high heterogeneity. Cell death occurred preferentially in layers in close proximity to the substratum, resulting in increased heterogeneity in this section of the biofilm; the thickness and heterogeneity of this lowermost layer increased with time, ultimately leading to sloughing. The model predicted the formation of metabolically dormant cellular microniches embedded within faster-growing cell clusters. Biofilms utilizing quorum sensing were more heterogeneous compared to their non-quorum sensing counterparts, and resisted sloughing, featuring a cell-devoid layer of EPS atop the substratum upon which the remainder of the biofilm developed. Overall, our study provides a computational framework to analyze metabolic diversity and heterogeneity of biofilm-associated microorganisms and may pave the way toward gaining further insights into the biophysical mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.

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IITH Creators:
IITH CreatorsORCiD
Pawar, Parag DUNSPECIFIED
Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Biofilms,Heterogeneity,Metabolic diversity,Quorum sensing,Autoinducer,Extracellular polymeric substances
Subjects: Others > Biological sciences
Divisions: Department of Chemical Engineering
Depositing User: Team Library
Date Deposited: 01 Feb 2017 04:40
Last Modified: 25 May 2018 09:10
URI: http://raiith.iith.ac.in/id/eprint/3021
Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-017-0246-9
OA policy: http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/0092-8240/
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