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Determining cell type distributions in Bacillus subtilis biofilm communities


EMSL Project ID
51209

Abstract

In bacterial communities, genetically identical bacteria differentiate into functionally and transcriptionally distinct cell types. In the soil environment, certain cell types carry out essential biological functions, including degrading fungal-biomass and forming plant-protective biofilms (structured communities of cells encased in an extracellular matrix). Here, we propose to elucidate the spatial relationships between biologically-relevant cell types in Bacillus subtilis biofilm communities using EMSL’s high performance fluorescence microscopes. B. subtilis is an environmentally relevant soil-dwelling organism that undergoes cellular differentiation. We have constructed pairwise fluorescent cell type reporters in B. subtilis and, in collaboration with EMSL, monitored gene expression of reporter pairs by flow cytometry. In this study, we propose to directly build off of these results to visualize B. subtilis cell type spatial organization in B. subtilis biofilms alone and in coculture with a second organism. Together using EMSL’s microscopy capabilities, we will be able to visualize spatiotemporal dynamics and relationships of cell types in monoculture and coculture at high-resolution. After analysis of these data, we can complete a comprehensive map of cell type organization and determine the extent to which cell type organization changes in coculture. Once we understand how cellular differentiation impacts the structure and function of B. subtilis biofilm communities, we can translate these tools to less well-studied environmentally-relevant microbes that undergo differentiation. This may allow us to better predict microbial behavior in natural settings and eventually rationally manipulate complex microbial communities for environmental benefits.

Project Details

Project type
Limited Scope
Start Date
2020-04-01
End Date
2020-06-01
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Elizabeth Shank
Institution
University of Massachusetts Medical School

Team Members

Sarah Yannarell
Institution
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill