Abstract

Co-authors: Carey Nadell (Princeton University), Howard Stone (Princeton University), Ned Wingreen (Princeton University), Bonnie Bassler (Princeton University)

Biofilms are antibiotic-resistant, sessile bacterial communities that occupy most moist surfaces on Earth and cause chronic and medical device-associated infections. Despite their importance, it is largely unknown how bacteria organize their behavior inside biofilms, and how biofilms behave in natural environments. In this talk I will focus on how environmental aspects of natural habitats lead to the evolution of simple cooperative behaviors in biofilms. I will also demonstrate how biofilm development and the complex geometries of natural habitats interact to cause the sudden and rapid clogging of porous materials like soil, water filtration devices, and medical stents.