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Bacterial Cell-to-cell Communication (Quorum Sensing)

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Control of Biofilm Infections by Signal Manipulation

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Biofilms ((BIOFILMS,volume 2))

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Abstract

Within the biofilm, the bacteria use cell-to-cell communication systems to pool their activities and act in a multicellular organized manner. One such activity is to launch their arsenal of virulence factors at the strategically right moment, and hence coordinate the progressive attack on the host. This process is termed quorum sensing (QS), whereby bacteria produce diffusible chemical signals (autoinducers) that interact with specific receptors on itself and on neighboring cells, which in turn regulate the expression of specific target genes. By integrating this with other environmental stimuli, bacteria are capable of exhibiting complex responses and take part in sophisticated interactions, allowing them to survive in most adverse environments. This chapter describes the molecular mechanisms of QS in Gram-negative and gram positive bacteria, and QS in a biofilm, leading to what is described in subsequent chapters that QS is a highly attractive target for therapy against biofilm chronic infections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BioCentrum-DTU, BioScience and Technologie Bldg 227, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark

    Michael Givskov

  2. Innovation, Cultures & Enzymes Division, Chr. Hansen A/S, Bøge Allé 10-12, Hørsholm, DK-2970, Denmark

    Thomas Bovbjerg Rasmussen

  3. Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Dacheng Ren

  4. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, 200 Westborow Rd, North Grafton, 01536, MA, USA

    Naomi Balaban

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  1. Michael Givskov
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  2. Thomas Bovbjerg Rasmussen
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  3. Dacheng Ren
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  4. Naomi Balaban
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Correspondence to Michael Givskov .

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Givskov, M., Rasmussen, T.B., Ren, D., Balaban, N. (2008). Bacterial Cell-to-cell Communication (Quorum Sensing). In: Balaban, N. (eds) Control of Biofilm Infections by Signal Manipulation. Springer Series on Biofilms, vol 2. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7142_2007_007

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