Layers of Bacteria 'Breathe' Without Oxygen

Bacteria in nature usually exist in the form of structures called biofilms—dense populations of cells attached to each other and to surfaces with a matrix of sticky goo. While oxygen is plentiful at the surface of a biofilm, there is very little of it at the bottom, creating a puzzle for biologists: How do bacteria buried at the bottom of a thick biofilm "breathe" if they lack ready access to oxygen or other electron acceptors used to conserve energy?

A new model for biofilm metabolism answers longstanding questions about how populations of an opportunistic bacterial pathogen thrive.

Dianne Newman Lab / Caltech

[TheAngiepangie]

Wow, this is incredible! Way to go CalTech!