Understanding the molecular mechanism of biofilm formation

Research

Our research interests are centred on using molecular biology to understand the signalling processes that control multicellular behaviours exhibited by bacteria. In particular the lab is interested in the genetic components that control biofilm formation by the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis.

The ability of unicellular bacteria to co-ordinate responses and to act as a multicellular population is proposed to provide an advantage to the bacterial population as a whole. A mechanism whereby bacteria can function as a multicellular population is to form a biofilm, a community of bacterial cells that is adherent to a surface, interface or to each other and encased in a self-produced polymeric matrix. 

Bacteria living in biofilms have increased resistance to various antimicrobial agents and are better adapted to survive periods of environmental stress. Therefore, biofilms have a significant impact in clinical settings, where they are the causative agent of the majority of chronic infections, and in industrial settings where they cause significant damage due to corrosion and bio fouling. On the other hand microbial biofilms can also result in beneficial processes such as bio-remediation and bio-control that cannot be accomplished by bacteria that are dispersed in the environment. Knowledge of the molecular mechanism of biofilm formation should allow the development of novel treatment strategies for controlling chronic biofilm infections and the development of ecologically friendly pesticides.

For information about the people and the types of questions that we are currently addressing please see my lab's personal website.

Publications

1.  Ostrowski,A., Melhert, A., Prescott, A., Kiley, T.B., and Stanley-Wall, N.R. 2011 "YuaB functions synergistically with the exopolysaccharide and TasA amyloid fibers to allow biofilm formation by Bacillus subtilis." Journal of Bacteriology vol. 193 pp.4821-31


2. Kiley, T.B., and Stanley-Wall, N.R.  Post-translational control of Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation.   Molecular Microbiology 2010  vol. 78 pp.947-963


3. Murray, E.J., Kiley, T.K. and Stanley-Wall, N.R.  A pivotal role for the response regulator DegU in controlling multicellular behaviour.  Microbiology 2009 vol. 155 pp.1-8


4. Verhamme, D.T., Murray, E.J., and Stanley-Wall, N.R.  DegU and Spo0A jointly control transcription of two loci required for complex colony development by Bacillus subtilis.  Journal of Bacteriology 2009 vol. 191(1) pp. 100-108.


5. Verhamme, D.T., Kiley, T.B. and Stanley-Wall, N.R.  DegU coordinates multicellular behaviour exhibited by Bacillus subtilis.   Molecular Microbiology 2007 65 (2): 554–568


6. Stanley, N.R. and Lazazzera, B.A. Defining the genetic differences between wild and domestic strains of Bacillus subtilis that affect poly-g-DL-glutamic acid production and biofilm formation.  Molecular Microbiology 2005. 57(4): 1143-58.