1887

Abstract

The structural organization of four microbial communities was analysed by a novel computer program, COMSTAT, which comprises ten features for quantifying three-dimensional biofilm image stacks. Monospecies biofilms of each of the four bacteria, , , and , tagged with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) were grown in flow chambers with a defined minimal medium as substrate. Analysis by the COMSTAT program of four variables describing biofilm structure – mean thickness, roughness, substratum coverage and surface to volume ratio – showed that the four strains represent different modes of biofilm growth. had a unique developmental pattern starting with single cells on the substratum growing into micro-colonies, which were eventually succeeded by long filaments and elongated cell clusters. colonized the entire substratum, and formed flat, uniform biofilms. resembled , but had a stronger tendency to form micro-colonies. Finally, the biofilm structures of had a phenotype intermediate between those of and . Analysis of biofilms of growing on 003 mM, 01 mM or 05 mM citrate minimal media showed that mean biofilm thickness increased with increasing citrate concentration. Moreover, biofilm roughness increased with lower citrate concentrations, whereas surface to volume ratio increased with higher citrate concentrations.

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2000-10-01
2024-03-19
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