Spatial organization of microbial biofilm communities

The application of advanced microscopy and molecular and electrochemical hi gh-resolution methods has provided insights into the structural organizatio n and function of biofilm communities. It appears that cellular properties such as growth differentiation, chemotaxis, and cell-to-cell signaling enab le biofilm communities to organize structurally in response to the external conditions and the activities of the different biofilm members. Thereby re source utilization becomes optimized, and processes which require syntrophi c relationships or special micro-environments become facilitated.