Interspecies and intraspecies ‘Talk’ shape the bacterial biofilms

Abstract

Bacteria pretend to organize into complex, multicellular structures known as biofilms, which enable survival and adaptation in dynamic environments. Bacterial biofilms serve diverse functions, including providing structural stability, directing metabolic adaptations, and facilitating bacterial expansion and nutrient acquisition. In natural environments, biofilms are predominantly formed by diverse multispecies bacteria. The formation of multispecies biofilms is a dynamic process shaped by intricate bacterial interactions, encompassing both cooperative and antagonistic behaviors. These interactions are mediated by signaling molecules that facilitate cell-to-cell communications, influenced by the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the extracellular polymeric substance matrix and biofilm architecture. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding bacterial interactions within biofilms, focusing on mediating metabolites, underlying mechanisms, and their implications for the process of biofilm development. These insights offer a foundation for developing strategies to manipulate microbial communities and control biofilm-related challenges.