Release of extracellular DNA by Pseudomonas species as a major determinant for biofilm switching and an early indicator for cell population control.

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses the process of biofilm formation in Pseudomonas species. The study found that the release of extracellular DNA (eDNA) by Pseudomonas bacteria is a major factor in biofilm switching, which is the transition from a planktonic to a sessile state. The researchers observed a subpopulation of cells bound to eDNA in the planktonic phase, and the size of this subpopulation correlated with the overall biofilm forming capability of the bacterial population. The study suggests that biofilm switching in Pseudomonas is determined collectively based on the quantity of eDNA released, and the appearance of propidium iodide (PI)-positive cells can serve as an early indicator for biofilm formation. The researchers also successfully used automated glucose pulsing to interfere with the proliferation of PI-positive cells and reduce biofilm formation. This research provides insights into the collective determinants of biofilm switching in Pseudomonas species and introduces a potential strategy for controlling biofilm formation. [Extracted from the article]