Biofilm as a Multicellular Bacterial System

Abstract

Biofilm is thought to be the primary natural habitat for many bacteria and they are associated with a wide range of human activities, such as wastewater treatment and clinical infections. Current research points out that cells inside biofilms are physiologically distinct from free-floating cells. In biofilms, bacteria are embedded in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that have physical and biological functions. One of the main roles of these EPS is to hold the cells together, which leads to the development of multicellular consortia. Once developed, usually the environment inside the biofilm becomes heterogenous which initiates the biofilm to function as a multicellular system. The development of biofilm is well organized following common stages among species. During this process, intercellular and intracellular signaling also takes place. This chapter will give a brief introduction to biofilms to support the understanding of bacterial multicellular systems.