2026/04/25 by Sandhya Kasivisweswaran, Jojo A. Prentice, Andrew A. Bridges · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Vibrio bacteria research studies #Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing #Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
paper · doi:10.64898/2026.04.24.720661
Abstract Biofilms are the most ancient multicellular communities on Earth, representing a primitive developmental system that protects microbes from threats. Biofilm dispersal, whereby bacteria exit biofilms, is critical for the spread of pathogens to new infection sites. Here, using Vibrio cholerae , we show that dispersal events are accompanied by a branching cell-fate decision. While ∼90% of cells disperse, a viable subpopulation remains within a residual matrix. This post-dispersal biofilm community (PDBC) is established by the matrix protein RbmA and adopts a specialized anabolic program that enhances tolerance to antibiotics and bacteriophages. Our findings reveal that PDBCs act as a resilient “seed-bank” capable of rapidly re-populating the niche without requiring de novo matrix biosynthesis, providing a mechanistic basis for the recurrence and spread of chronic infections.