1 research outputs found
Morphological optimization for access to dual oxidants in biofilms
A major theme driving research in biology is the relationship
between form and function. In particular, a longstanding goal has
been to understand how the evolution of multicellularity conferred
fitness advantages. Here we show that biofilms of the bacterium
Pseudomonas aeruginosa produce structures that maximize cellular
reproduction. Specifically, we develop a mathematical model of resource
availability and metabolic response within colony features.
This analysis accurately predicts the measured distribution of two
types of electron acceptors: oxygen, which is available from the
atmosphere, and phenazines, redox-active antibiotics produced by
the bacterium. Using this model, we demonstrate that the geometry
of colony structures is optimal with respect to growth efficiency.
Because our model is based on resource dynamics, we also can anticipate
shifts in feature geometry based on changes to the availability
of electron acceptors, including variations in the external
availability of oxygen and genetic manipulation that renders the
cells incapable of phenazine production