Architects of nature: growing buildings with bacterial biofilms

Dade‐Robertson, Martyn; Keren-Paz, Alona; Zhang, Meng; Kolodkin‐Gal, Ilana

doi:10.1111/1751-7915.12833

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…An earlier report showed that minerals structurally support the morphogenesis of bacterial colonies in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis [9] and in Mycobacterium species [8,9]. Biogenic minerals also provide structural integrity to biofilm matrix and act as a scaffold to protect bacterial cells from shear forces and antimicrobial agents [10]. An earlier report demonstrated the presence of CaCO 3 in the matrix of B. subtilis and Mycobacterium smegmatis biofilms, and implied the association of matrix mineral with other bacterial species [9].…”

Section: Highlightsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilm Matrixome: Extracellular Components in Structured Microbial Communities

Karygianni

Ren

Koo

et al. 2020

Trends in Microbiology

773

505

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Biofilms consist of microbial communities embedded in a 3D extracellular matrix. The matrix is composed of a complex array of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that contribute to the unique attributes of biofilm lifestyle and virulence. This ensemble of chemically and functionally diverse biomolecules is termed the 'matrixome'. The composition and mechanisms of EPS matrix formation, and its role in biofilm biology, function, and microenvironment are being revealed. This perspective article highlights recent advances about the multifaceted role of the 'matrixome' in the development, physical-chemical properties, and virulence of biofilms. We emphasize that targeting biofilm-specific conditions such as the matrixome could lead to precise and effective antibiofilm approaches. We also discuss the limited knowledge in the context of polymicrobial biofilms, and the need for more in-depth analyses of the EPS matrix in mixed communities that are associated with many human infectious diseases.

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Section: Highlightsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilm Matrixome: Extracellular Components in Structured Microbial Communities

Karygianni

Ren

Koo

et al. 2020

Trends in Microbiology

773

505

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“…However, development of building systems or cleaning products which intentionally create biofilms have also been utilized to positive effect. Recently, microbial biofilms have been used to reinforce building surfaces instead of decomposing them; namely, through mineralization and deposition of calcium carbonate into concrete [129]. The hydrophobic nature of many bacterial biofilms can impart that protective hydrophobicity onto building surfaces [130], as well.…”

Section: Moisture and Relative Humiditymentioning

confidence: 99%

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

Horve

Lloyd

Mhuireach

et al. 2019

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

109

103

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In the constructed habitat in which we spend up to 90% of our time, architectural design influences occupants' behavioral patterns, interactions with objects, surfaces, rituals, the outside environment, and each other. Within this built environment, human behavior and building design contribute to the accrual and dispersal of microorganisms; it is a collection of fomites that transfer microorganisms; reservoirs that collect biomass; structures that induce human or air movement patterns; and space types that encourage proximity or isolation between humans whose personal microbial clouds disperse cells into buildings. There have been recent calls to incorporate building microbiology into occupant health and exposure research and standards, yet the built environment is largely viewed as a repository for microorganisms which are to be eliminated, instead of a habitat which is inexorably linked to the microbial influences of building inhabitants. Health sectors have re-evaluated the role of microorganisms in health, incorporating microorganisms into prevention and treatment protocols, yet no paradigm shift has occurred with respect to microbiology of the built environment, despite calls to do so. Technological and logistical constraints often preclude our ability to link health outcomes to indoor microbiology, yet sufficient study exists to inform the theory and implementation of the next era of research and intervention in the built environment. This review presents built environment characteristics in relation to human health and disease, explores some of the current experimental strategies and interventions which explore health in the built environment, and discusses an emerging model for fostering indoor microbiology rather than fearing it.

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“… 3 , 6 , 7 Recently, we and others showed that precipitation of calcium carbonate contributes to the assembly of the complex biofilm architecture. 8 – 13 While calcium is available from the environment, bicarbonate is actively produced by CO 2 hydration (CO 2 + H 2 O ↔ HCO 3 + H + ), where the source of CO 2 can be a byproduct of bacterial metabolism or of the immediate environment. 14 – 16 In clinic, precipitation of calcium carbonate was shown to promote catheter colonization, active infection and interspecies interactions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Micro-CT X-ray imaging exposes structured diffusion barriers within biofilms

Keren-Paz

Brumfeld

Oppenheimer-Shaanan

et al. 2018

npj Biofilms Microbiomes

Self Cite

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In nature, bacteria predominantly exist as highly structured biofilms, which are held together by extracellular polymeric substance and protect their residents from environmental insults, such as antibiotics. The mechanisms supporting this phenotypic resistance are poorly understood. Recently, we identified a new mechanism maintaining biofilms - an active production of calcite minerals. In this work, a high-resolution and robust µCT technique is used to study the mineralized areas within intact bacterial biofilms. µCT is a vital tool for visualizing bacterial communities that can provide insights into the relationship between bacterial biofilm structure and function. Our results imply that dense and structured calcium carbonate lamina forms a diffusion barrier sheltering the inner cell mass of the biofilm colony. Therefore, µCT can be employed in clinical settings to predict the permeability of the biofilms. It is demonstrated that chemical interference with urease, a key enzyme in biomineralization, inhibits the assembly of complex bacterial structures, prevents the formation of mineral diffusion barriers and increases biofilm permeability. Therefore, biomineralization enzymes emerge as novel therapeutic targets for highly resistant infections.

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Architects of nature: growing buildings with bacterial biofilms

Cited by 15 publications

References 55 publications

Biofilm Matrixome: Extracellular Components in Structured Microbial Communities

Biofilm Matrixome: Extracellular Components in Structured Microbial Communities

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

Micro-CT X-ray imaging exposes structured diffusion barriers within biofilms

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