Extracellular-matrix-mediated osmotic pressure drives Vibrio cholerae biofilm expansion and cheater exclusion
Most bacteria live in biofilms, surface-attached communities encased in an extracellular matrix. Here, Yan et al. show that matrix production in Vibrio cholerae increases the osmotic pressure within the biofilm, promoting biofilm expansion and physical exclusion of non-matrix producing cheaters.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Publishing Group
2017-08-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-00401-1 |