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Temporal And Stochastic Control Of Staphylococcus Aureus Biofilm Development., Derek E. Moormeier, Jeffrey L. Bose, Alexander R. Horswill, Kenneth W. Bayles

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

Biofilm communities contain distinct microniches that result in metabolic heterogeneity and variability in gene expression. Previously, these niches were visualized within Staphylococcus aureus biofilms by observing differential expression of the cid and lrg operons during tower formation. In the present study, we examined early biofilm development and identified two new stages (designated "multiplication" and "exodus") that were associated with changes in matrix composition and a distinct reorganization of the cells as the biofilm matured. The initial attachment and multiplication stages were shown to be protease sensitive but independent of most cell surface-associated proteins. Interestingly, after 6 h of growth, an …