Bacterial biofilms are surface-associated multicellular communities that are highly resistant to removal. Scheffler et al. discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes a small molecule that inhibits other P. aeruginosa cells from adsorbing to surfaces by interfering with type IV pili dynamics. The inhibition of cell adsorption could present a method to prevent biofilm formation on sensitive surfaces in hospitals and industry.
Keywords: E. coli; Staphylococcus aureus; cystic fibrosis; natural products; secondary metabolite.
Published by Elsevier Inc.