Genome Property Definition Page

Accession

GenProp0153

Name

biofilm participation

Type

PHENOTYPIC

Description

Many bacteria participate in biofilms. Participation generally involves adhesion, quorum-sensing, regulatory and metabolic changes, complex interaction among several species, and development of characteristic colony architectures and physical characteristics including a slimy matrix of extracellular biopolymers, with resulting modification of the local microenvironment. Biofilm growth may be contrasted to planktonic growth and is sometimes viewed as a form of development. Examples include oral pathogens in established gum disease, hot spring mats, and surface colonizers of bioreactors.

Parent Property

GenProp0544: community-associated niche
GenProp0603: lifestyle

Literature References

[ 1 ]Wuertz S, Okabe S, Hausner M  Microbial communities and their interactions in biofilm systems: an overview.  Water Sci Technol 2004;49(11-12):327-36.  PMID 15303758
[ 2 ]Jefferson KK  What drives bacteria to produce a biofilm?  FEMS Microbiol Lett 2004 Jul 15;236(2):163-73.  PMID 15251193
[ 3 ]Stanley NR, Lazazzera BA  Environmental signals and regulatory pathways that influence biofilm formation.  Mol Microbiol 2004 May;52(4):917-24.  PMID 15130114

Parent Properties

Accession	Name
GenProp0544	community-associated niche
GenProp0603	lifestyle

Sibling Properties

Accession	Name
GenProp0011	methanogenesis
GenProp0013	oxygen requirement
GenProp0029	nitrogen fixation
GenProp0031	methane utilization
GenProp0044	temperature environment
GenProp0549	pathogen
GenProp0554	mutualist
GenProp0558	obligate intracellular growth
GenProp0559	facultative intracellular growth
GenProp0602	extremophile
GenProp0608	chemoautotroph
GenProp0609	phototroph