Exploiting social evolution in biofilms Journal Article
| Authors: | Boyle, K. E.; Heilmann, S.; Van Ditmarsch, D.; Xavier, J. B. |
| Article Title: | Exploiting social evolution in biofilms |
| Abstract: | Bacteria are highly social organisms that communicate via signaling molecules, move collectively over surfaces and make biofilm communities. Nonetheless, our main line of defense against pathogenic bacteria consists of antibiotics-drugs that target individual-level traits of bacterial cells and thus, regrettably, select for resistance against their own action. A possible solution lies in targeting the mechanisms by which bacteria interact with each other within biofilms. The emerging field of microbial social evolution combines molecular microbiology with evolutionary theory to dissect the molecular mechanisms and the evolutionary pressures underpinning bacterial sociality. This exciting new research can ultimately lead to new therapies against biofilm infections that exploit evolutionary cheating or the trade-off between biofilm formation and dispersal. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. |
| Keywords: | signal transduction; review; models, biological; bacteria (microorganisms); antibiotic resistance; computer simulation; proteinase; staphylococcus aureus; antibiotic sensitivity; bacillus subtilis; pseudomonas aeruginosa; quorum sensing; bacteria; siderophore; microbial activity; social evolution; biofilms; bacteriophage; biofilm; bacterial secretion system; dextro amino acid; rhamnolipid; bacterial physiological phenomena |
| Journal Title: | Current Opinion in Microbiology |
| Volume: | 16 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| ISSN: | 1369-5274 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2013-04-01 |
| Start Page: | 207 |
| End Page: | 212 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.mib.2013.01.003 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC3646963 |
| PUBMED: | 23357558 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Export Date: 3 June 2013" - "CODEN: COMIF" - "Source: Scopus" |
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