This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Sternberg, C.
Right arrow Articles by Molin, S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Sternberg, C.
Right arrow Articles by Molin, S.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Sternberg, C.
Right arrow Articles by Molin, S.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, September 1999, p. 4108-4117, Vol. 65, No. 9
0099-2240/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Distribution of Bacterial Growth Activity in Flow-Chamber Biofilms

Claus Sternberg, Bjarke B. Christensen, Tove Johansen, Alex Toftgaard Nielsen, Jens Bo Andersen, Michael Givskov, and Søren Molin*

Department of Microbiology, The Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark

Received 3 March 1999/Accepted 23 June 1999

In microbial communities such as those found in biofilms, individual organisms most often display heterogeneous behavior with respect to their metabolic activity, growth status, gene expression pattern, etc. In that context, a novel reporter system for monitoring of cellular growth activity has been designed. It comprises a transposon cassette carrying fusions between the growth rate-regulated Escherichia coli rrnBP1 promoter and different variant gfp genes. It is shown that the P1 promoter is regulated in the same way in E. coli and Pseudomonas putida, making it useful for monitoring of growth activity in organisms outside the group of enteric bacteria. Construction of fusions to genes encoding unstable Gfp proteins opened up the possibility of the monitoring of rates of rRNA synthesis and, in this way, allowing on-line determination of the distribution of growth activity in a complex community. With the use of these reporter tools, it is demonstrated that individual cells of a toluene-degrading P. putida strain growing in a benzyl alcohol-supplemented biofilm have different levels of growth activity which develop as the biofilm gets older. Cells that eventually grow very slowly or not at all may be stimulated to restart growth if provided with a more easily metabolizable carbon source. Thus, the dynamics of biofilm growth activity has been tracked to the level of individual cells, cell clusters, and microcolonies.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Microbiology, Building 301, The Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Phone: 45 45 25 25 13. Fax: 45 45 88 73 28. E-mail: imsm{at}pop.dtu.dk.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, September 1999, p. 4108-4117, Vol. 65, No. 9
0099-2240/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Wolyniak, E. A., Hargreaves, B. R., Jellison, K. L. (2009). Retention and Release of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts by Experimental Biofilms Composed of a Natural Stream Microbial Community. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 4624-4626 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Ito, A., Taniuchi, A., May, T., Kawata, K., Okabe, S. (2009). Increased Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli in Mature Biofilms. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 4093-4100 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Yawata, Y., Nomura, N., Uchiyama, H. (2008). Development of a Novel Biofilm Continuous Culture Method for Simultaneous Assessment of Architecture and Gaseous Metabolite Production. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74: 5429-5435 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Lenz, A. P., Williamson, K. S., Pitts, B., Stewart, P. S., Franklin, M. J. (2008). Localized Gene Expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74: 4463-4471 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Rieu, A., Briandet, R., Habimana, O., Garmyn, D., Guzzo, J., Piveteau, P. (2008). Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e Biofilms: No Mushrooms but a Network of Knitted Chains. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74: 4491-4497 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Yang, L., Haagensen, J. A. J., Jelsbak, L., Johansen, H. K., Sternberg, C., Hoiby, N., Molin, S. (2008). In Situ Growth Rates and Biofilm Development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Populations in Chronic Lung Infections. J. Bacteriol. 190: 2767-2776 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Brenner, K., Karig, D. K., Weiss, R., Arnold, F. H. (2007). Engineered bidirectional communication mediates a consensus in a microbial biofilm consortium. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104: 17300-17304 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Kuhl, M., Rickelt, L. F., Thar, R. (2007). Combined Imaging of Bacteria and Oxygen in Biofilms. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 6289-6295 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Hansen, S. K., Haagensen, J. A. J., Gjermansen, M., Jorgensen, T. M., Tolker-Nielsen, T., Molin, S. (2007). Characterization of a Pseudomonas putida Rough Variant Evolved in a Mixed-Species Biofilm with Acinetobacter sp. Strain C6. J. Bacteriol. 189: 4932-4943 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Rani, S. A., Pitts, B., Beyenal, H., Veluchamy, R. A., Lewandowski, Z., Davison, W. M., Buckingham-Meyer, K., Stewart, P. S. (2007). Spatial Patterns of DNA Replication, Protein Synthesis, and Oxygen Concentration within Bacterial Biofilms Reveal Diverse Physiological States. J. Bacteriol. 189: 4223-4233 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Barraud, N., Hassett, D. J., Hwang, S.-H., Rice, S. A., Kjelleberg, S., Webb, J. S. (2006). Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Biofilm Dispersal of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.. J. Bacteriol. 188: 7344-7353 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Teal, T. K., Lies, D. P., Wold, B. J., Newman, D. K. (2006). Spatiometabolic Stratification of Shewanella oneidensis Biofilms. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 7324-7330 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Chambless, J. D., Hunt, S. M., Stewart, P. S. (2006). A three-dimensional computer model of four hypothetical mechanisms protecting biofilms from antimicrobials.. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 2005-2013 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Lee, B., Haagensen, J. A. J., Ciofu, O., Andersen, J. B., Hoiby, N., Molin, S. (2005). Heterogeneity of Biofilms Formed by Nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 43: 5247-5255 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Venugopalan, V. P., Kuehn, M., Hausner, M., Springael, D., Wilderer, P. A., Wuertz, S. (2005). Architecture of a Nascent Sphingomonas sp. Biofilm under Varied Hydrodynamic Conditions. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 2677-2686 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Sherlock, O., Vejborg, R. M., Klemm, P. (2005). The TibA Adhesin/Invasin from Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Is Self Recognizing and Induces Bacterial Aggregation and Biofilm Formation. Infect. Immun. 73: 1954-1963 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Thormann, K. M., Saville, R. M., Shukla, S., Spormann, A. M. (2005). Induction of Rapid Detachment in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 Biofilms. J. Bacteriol. 187: 1014-1021 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Sherlock, O., Schembri, M. A., Reisner, A., Klemm, P. (2004). Novel Roles for the AIDA Adhesin from Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli: Cell Aggregation and Biofilm Formation. J. Bacteriol. 186: 8058-8065 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Webb, J. S., Lau, M., Kjelleberg, S. (2004). Bacteriophage and Phenotypic Variation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Development. J. Bacteriol. 186: 8066-8073 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Thormann, K. M., Saville, R. M., Shukla, S., Pelletier, D. A., Spormann, A. M. (2004). Initial Phases of Biofilm Formation in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. J. Bacteriol. 186: 8096-8104 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Werner, E., Roe, F., Bugnicourt, A., Franklin, M. J., Heydorn, A., Molin, S., Pitts, B., Stewart, P. S. (2004). Stratified Growth in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 6188-6196 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Roberts, M. E., Stewart, P. S. (2004). Modeling Antibiotic Tolerance in Biofilms by Accounting for Nutrient Limitation. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 48: 48-52 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Webb, J. S., Thompson, L. S., James, S., Charlton, T., Tolker-Nielsen, T., Koch, B., Givskov, M., Kjelleberg, S. (2003). Cell Death in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Development. J. Bacteriol. 185: 4585-4592 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Grossart, H.-P., Kiorboe, T., Tang, K., Ploug, H. (2003). Bacterial Colonization of Particles: Growth and Interactions. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 3500-3509 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Pukall, R., Laroche, M., Kroppenstedt, R. M., Schumann, P., Stackebrandt, E., Ulber, R. (2003). Paracoccus seriniphilus sp. nov., an L-serine-dehydratase-producing coccus isolated from the marine bryozoan Bugula plumosa. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 53: 443-447 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Stewart, P. S. (2003). Diffusion in Biofilms. J. Bacteriol. 185: 1485-1491 [Full Text]  
  • Kadurugamuwa, J. L., Sin, L., Albert, E., Yu, J., Francis, K., DeBoer, M., Rubin, M., Bellinger-Kawahara, C., Parr, T. R. Jr., Contag, P. R. (2003). Direct Continuous Method for Monitoring Biofilm Infection in a Mouse Model. Infect. Immun. 71: 882-890 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Christensen, B. B., Haagensen, J. A. J., Heydorn, A., Molin, S. (2002). Metabolic Commensalism and Competition in a Two-Species Microbial Consortium. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68: 2495-2502 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Ehrlich, G. D., Veeh, R., Wang, X., Costerton, J. W., Hayes, J. D., Hu, F. Z., Daigle, B. J., Ehrlich, M. D., Post, J. C. (2002). Mucosal Biofilm Formation on Middle-Ear Mucosa in the Chinchilla Model of Otitis Media. JAMA 287: 1710-1715 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Leveau, J. H. J., Lindow, S. E. (2001). Predictive and Interpretive Simulation of Green Fluorescent Protein Expression in Reporter Bacteria. J. Bacteriol. 183: 6752-6762 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • De Kievit, T. R., Parkins, M. D., Gillis, R. J., Srikumar, R., Ceri, H., Poole, K., Iglewski, B. H., Storey, D. G. (2001). Multidrug Efflux Pumps: Expression Patterns and Contribution to Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 45: 1761-1770 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Lorang, J. M., Tuori, R. P., Martinez, J. P., Sawyer, T. L., Redman, R. S., Rollins, J. A., Wolpert, T. J., Johnson, K. B., Rodriguez, R. J., Dickman, M. B., Ciuffetti, L. M. (2001). Green Fluorescent Protein Is Lighting Up Fungal Biology. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67: 1987-1994 [Full Text]  
  • Leveau, J. H. J., Lindow, S. E. (2001). Inaugural Article: Appetite of an epiphyte: Quantitative monitoring of bacterial sugar consumption in the phyllosphere. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98: 3446-3453 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Brandl, M. T., Quinones, B., Lindow, S. E. (2001). Heterogeneous transcription of an indoleacetic acid biosynthetic gene in Erwinia herbicola on plant surfaces. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98: 3454-3459 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Andersen, J. B., Heydorn, A., Hentzer, M., Eberl, L., Geisenberger, O., Christensen, B. B., Molin, S., Givskov, M. (2001). gfp-Based N-Acyl Homoserine-Lactone Sensor Systems for Detection of Bacterial Communication. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67: 575-585 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Tolker-Nielsen, T., Brinch, U. C., Ragas, P. C., Andersen, J. B., Jacobsen, C. S., Molin, S. (2000). Development and Dynamics of Pseudomonas sp. Biofilms. J. Bacteriol. 182: 6482-6489 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Ramos, C., Mølbak, L., Molin, S. (2000). Bacterial Activity in the Rhizosphere Analyzed at the Single-Cell Level by Monitoring Ribosome Contents and Synthesis Rates. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 66: 801-809 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


Copyright © 2009 by the American Society for Microbiology.   For an alternate route to Journals.ASM.org, visit: http://intl-journals.asm.org | More Info»