Top

Genes That Make Bacteria Make Up Their Minds

April 6, 2009

Bacteria are single cell organisms with no nervous system or brain. So how do individual bacterial cells living as part of a complex community called a biofilm “decide” between different physiological processes (such as movement or producing the “glue” that forms the biofilm)?

In the 2009 Fleming lecture, given at the Society for General Microbiology’s meeting in Harrogate March 30, Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall from the University of Dundee explained that it is important to understand how biofilms form as they are often the basis of chronic infections and also of bioremediation processes. More detailed information on how bacteria develop into biofilms will allow scientists to work on alternative strategies to treat biofilm related infections and may improve technologies for waste water treatment plants or microbial fuel cells.

 

Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis, Dr Stanley-Wall has investigated the genes and proteins required for biofilms to develop. She has shown that a protein called DegU helps the individual bacteria to “decide” whether to form a biofilm or not.

“Presumably the bacteria need to achieve the best outcome in response to changes in environmental conditions. DegU protein enables the bacteria to switch between swarming movement and the production of biofilm materials to suit the particular circumstances,” said Dr Stanley-Wall.

Comments

53 Responses to “Genes That Make Bacteria Make Up Their Minds”

  1. Kris L. on August 15th, 2009 10:27 am

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms.
    2. They have no nervous system or brain.
    3. A biofilm is bacteria cells living as part of a community.
    4.Biofilms are often the reason for chronic infections.
    5.Scientist need to research biofilm to help improve waste water technologies.

  2. Andrew Crisp 1st on August 17th, 2009 3:49 pm

    1.Bacteria are cell organisms which have no nervous system or brain.
    2.Dr Stanley investigated the genes and proteins required.
    3.Dr. Nicola said that it is important to understand how biofilms form.
    4.The bacteria needs to achieve the best outcome.
    5.The bacteria can waste water.

  3. Ryan Chamberlain on August 17th, 2009 5:33 pm

    Article Summary:
    1. Bacteria Are Single Cell Organisms
    2. They have no nervous system or brain
    3. Dr. Stanley Lee Made a Speech about Bacteria
    4. Dr. Stanley Lee is a scientist who Investigates Bacteria
    5. He investigated it by using Bacillus subtilis.

  4. Marilyn Larry 6th on August 18, 2009 on August 18th, 2009 5:07 pm

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms.
    2. Bacteria has no nervous system.
    3. They also have no brain.
    4. With more information about bacteria scientist could treat biofilm related infections.
    5. Also, with more info they could improve technologies for waste water.

  5. austin xayavong 5th on August 19th, 2009 4:50 pm

    1.I have leaarn that bactria have no nerveous.
    2.They have no brain cells.

  6. max stephenson 2nd on August 21st, 2009 11:17 am

    1.Bacteria are single cell organisms with no nervous system or brain.
    2.In the 2009 Fleming lecture, given at the Society for General Microbiology’s meeting in Harrogate March 30, Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall from the University of Dundee explained that it is important to understand how biofilms form as they are often the basis of chronic infections and also of bioremediation processes.
    3.More detailed information on how bacteria develop into biofilms will allow scientists to work on alternative strategies to treat biofilm related infections and may improve technologies for waste water treatment plants or microbial fuel cells.
    4.Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis, Dr Stanley-Wall has investigated the genes and proteins required for biofilms to develop.
    5.She has shown that a protein called DegU helps the individual bacteria to “decide” whether to form a biofilm or not.

  7. Crystal Whitehouse --- 6th Period on August 22nd, 2009 3:14 pm

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms.
    2. They don’t have a nervous system or brain.
    3. In the 2009 Fleming lecture, Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall explained that it is important to understand how biofilms form as they are often the basis of chronic infections and also of bioremediation processes.
    4. Using a soil bacterium (Bacillus Subtilis), Dr Stanley-Wall investigated the genes and proteins required for biofilms to develop.
    5. She has shown that a protein called DegU helps the individual bacteria to ‘decide’ to form a biofilm or not.

  8. Taylor Brown( period5) on August 23rd, 2009 5:57 pm

    1.Bacteria are single cell organisms
    2.Bacteria have no nervous system
    3.Biofilms often cause chronic infection
    4.Bacteria cells create a biofilm
    5.A woman named Dr stanely Wall has been investigating the genes and prteins needed to build a biofilm.
    This wzas a very interesting article that I would reccomend to others.

  9. John Baudendistel - 4th period on August 23rd, 2009 10:32 pm

    Wow! I didn’t know that bacteria had cells. I though bacteria was a cell itself! I learned that bacteria is an organism, not something that makes up an organism. I learned that it is important to study bacteria to prevent sickness and illness. I found out that biofilm is actually a bacteria. That is what I learned from this article.

  10. Anthony Pellegrini 1st period on August 24th, 2009 6:23 pm

    1.Bacteria is a single cell organism with no nervous system or brain.

    2. Using a soil bacterium called Bactullis Subills scientists have investegated the genes and proteins required for biofilms to develop.

    3.Biofilms form as they are often the basic of chronic infections and also of bioremediation processes.

    4.Bacteria needs to achieve the best outcome in response to changes in enviromenal changes.

    5. Degu proteins enables the bacteria to switch between swarming movement and the production of biofilm materials.

  11. Pamela Hussey-6th Period on August 24th, 2009 6:43 pm

    1. A soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis makes the genes, proteins, and biofilms develop.
    2. Bacteria is a single cell organism.
    3. No nervous system.
    4. No Brain.
    5. Bacteria can waste water.

  12. Pamela Hussey-6th Period on August 24th, 2009 6:45 pm

    1. A soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis makes the proteins, and biofilms develop.
    2. Bacteria is a single cell organism.
    3. Bacteria has No nervous system.
    4. Bacteria has No Brain.
    5. Bacteria can waste water.

  13. Courtney Terry per.4th on August 24,2009 on August 24th, 2009 7:36 pm

    1.The bacteria can waste water.
    2.Bacteria are single cells organisms.
    3.The have no brain cells or nervous system.
    4. Dr.Stanley-Wall a scientist for bacteria.
    I learned that bacteria is a cell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  14. Matthew Eppard 6th Period on August 24th, 2009 7:55 pm

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms. 2. They have no nervous system or brain. 3. Bacteria can use up water 4. Dr. Stanley Lee made a speech about bacteria. 5. He also studys bacteria.

  15. Elizabeth Sanders 1st period on August 30th, 2009 9:36 pm

    Article Summary

    September 2, 2009

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms.

    2. Individual bacteria cells living as part of a complex community are called biofilms.

    3. Dr. Stanley-Wall has shown that a protein called DegU helps individual bacteria to decide whether to form a biofilm or not.

    4. Bacteria doesn’t have a nervous system or a brain.

    5. Biofilms are often the basis of chronic infections.

  16. Jenna Marshall 1st Period on August 31st, 2009 4:06 pm

    ~Bacteria are single cell orginisms

    ~Bacteria have no nervous system

    ~Bacteria has no brain

    ~Biofilms are often the basis of chronic infections

    ~Bacteria can waste water

  17. amari anderson- period one on August 31st, 2009 9:19 pm

    BACTERIA
    1. bacteria is single-celled organisms that have no nervous sytem.
    2. from the University of dundee, doctor nicola stanley- wall said that it is important to know how biofilms form.
    3. more detailed information on bacteria will help scientist to work on alternate plans to treat biofilms and related infections
    4. They are also trying to make alternate plans to improve technology to help clean wasted water.
    5. The scientist has shownt that a protein called DegU helps them what to “decide” to form a biofilm or not to

  18. takara alexander 5th pd on September 1st, 2009 12:04 pm

    this article summary is about bacteria of organisms.bacteria have no nervous system or a brain. they are also single cell organisms.

  19. Andrew Rice on September 9th, 2009 6:25 pm

    Andrew Rice 5th 9/9/09 6:15
    1.I learned that bacteria have cell.
    2.They have no brain though.
    3.They also have no nervous system.
    4.A man named Stanley Wall made a speech on bacteria.
    5.It gives bad food infections.

  20. 1st period Lena on September 13th, 2009 7:20 pm

    Artical Summary

    1.Bacteria are single cell orginisms.

    2.Bacteria doesn’t have a nervous system or brain.

    3. Individual bacteria cells living as part of a complex community are called biofilms.

    4.Biofilmsoften are the basis of chronic infections.

    5.Dr. Stanley-Wall has shown that DegU helps the bacteria to “decide” whether to form a biofilm or not.

  21. Brett Baird 5th on September 14th, 2009 9:05 pm

    These are single celled organisms with no brain or nerves systems so they have a comunity called biofilms. But we need to know about them because they arethe main base of chronic inflections.Also, information about this will help scientists work on other ways to treat related inflections. They have investigated using special soil that is needed to help the biofilm develope.It helps the bacteria decide whether or not to form a biofilm.

  22. Brett Baird 6th on September 14th, 2009 9:06 pm

    These are single celled organisms with no brain or nerves systems so they have a comunity called biofilms. But we need to know about them because they arethe main base of chronic inflections.Also, information about this will help scientists work on other ways to treat related inflections. They have investigated using special soil that is needed to help the biofilm develope.It helps the bacteria decide whether or not to form a biofilm.

  23. Kaila Poleon 4th perod on September 14th, 2009 9:54 pm

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms
    2. Bacteria has no nervous system or brain.
    3. Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall from the University of Dundee explained that it is important to understand how biofilms form as they are usually the basis of chronic infections and also of bioremediation processes.
    4. Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis, it has been investigated that the genes and proteins required for biofilms to develop.
    5. DegU protein lets the bacteria to switch between swarming movement and the production of biofilm materials to suit the particular circumstances.

  24. Sophia Fosdick, 4th period on September 21st, 2009 4:56 pm

    Bacteria have no brain, nervous system, and are single celled. So how are they able to form biofilm (a group of bacteria)? If scientist can find how biofilm is formed it is believed that we can find treatments for biofilm infections and help improve treatment of waste water. Using Bacillus subtilis, Dr Stanley-Wall was able to discover what things help biofilm grow, one thing is a protein called DegU. Since bacteria forms better in different environments/ climates the DegU helps that bacteria to form the biofilm in the right climate. If doctors could stop this process many things could be achieved.

  25. Summer Berthelson-4th period 9/21/09 on September 21st, 2009 6:57 pm

    1. bacteria are single celled organisms
    2. they have no nervous system or brain
    3. a scientist has discoverd that a gene called DegU that helps the bacteria decide whether to form a biofilm or not
    4. biofilms often are the basis of chronic infctions
    5. DegU is a protin

  26. TARRELL CLEMONS 1ST PERIOD 9/23/09 on September 23rd, 2009 7:23 pm

    THIS IS MY ARTICLES SUMMARY FOR THIS WEEND LATE

    1. bacteria are single celled organisms
    2. they have no nervous system or brain
    3. a scientist has discoverd that a gene called DegU that helps the bacteria decide whether to form a biofilm or not
    4. biofilms often are the basis of chronic infctions
    5. DegU is a protin

  27. savannah Meagher 2nd on September 28th, 2009 8:33 am

    1.Bacteria are single celled organisms.
    2.They don’t have a nervous system or brain.
    3.More detailed information on how bateria develope into biofilms will allow scientists to work on alternative strategies to treat biofilm related infections and may improve technologies for waste water treatment plants or microbial fuel cells
    4.Individual bacteria cells living as complex community are called biofilms
    5.Biofilms are often the basis of chronic infections.

  28. Zach Bennett - 1st Period on September 28th, 2009 2:32 pm

    bacteria has only 1 cell
    they have nonervous system or brain
    individual bacterial cells live as a complex community
    biofilms are mostly the basics of chronic infection
    bacteria can also watse water

  29. Connor Ferguson 2nd period on September 28th, 2009 9:58 pm

    1.bacteria are single celled organisms with no brain or nervous system.
    2.a protein called degu helps the individual bacteria to decide whether it should create a biofilm or not.
    3.biofilms are the basis of chronic infections.
    4.a biofilm is a complex community of bacteria.
    5.Biofilm research may help come up with new ways to help in waste water treatment plants.

  30. hunter webber 6th period on September 29th, 2009 8:05 am

    1. bacteria are single celled organisms
    2. They also have no nervous system.
    3. Biofilms are often the basis of chronic infections
    4. Dr. Stanley Lee Made a Speech about Bacteria
    5. DegU is a protin

  31. Sarah Christopherson 5th on October 11th, 2009 4:53 pm

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms.
    2. no nervous system or brain.
    3. Individual bacteria cells living as part of a complex community are called biofilms.
    4.They are also trying to make alternate plans to improve technology to help clean wasted water.
    5. DegU protein lets the bacteria to switch between swarming movement and the production of biofilm materials to suit the particular circumstances.

  32. Mauhaun Taheri 1rst period on October 18th, 2009 8:31 pm

    1. Bacteria is a single cell organism.
    2.Bacteria is a living part of a complex community.
    3. The bacteria has no brain or nerve system.
    4.Bacteria wastes water and is bad.
    5.Biofilms are often found in basis of chronic infections.

  33. Will Cook 4th period on October 19th, 2009 6:22 pm

    9-18-09

    Bacteria are single cell organisms. Bacteria also does not have a nervous system or brain! Using something called Baccilus subtilis doctors investigated biofilms. A biofilm is a complex community of bacteria. research onn the biofilm might help in waste water treatmant plants.

  34. Raine Aslan - 4th period on October 19th, 2009 6:45 pm

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms with no nervous system or brain.
    2. Biofilms are bacteria living as part of a complex community.
    3. Biofilms are often the basis of chronic infections and also of bioremediation processes.
    4. DegU helps the individual bacteria to “decide” whether to form a biofilm or not.
    5. More detailed information on how bacteria develop into biofilms will allow scientists to work on alternative strategies to treat biofilm related infections and may improve technologies for waste water treatment plants or microbial fuel cells.

  35. rachel whorton 2nd on October 19th, 2009 7:43 pm

    Bacteria are single celled organisms. They have no nervous system or brain. As we know there is good and bad bacteria, A type of bad bacteria is biofilm. Biofilm cause chronic infection. How Biofilm is formed is that bacteria links together.

  36. terrell king 2 period on November 15th, 2009 6:01 pm

    1. bacteria can kill you
    2.bacteria is a single cell organism.
    3.bacteria devolepts into biofilms
    4.bacteria has no brain at all
    5.bacteria has no nervous system

  37. Abby Hicks 1st period on November 16th, 2009 9:15 pm

    This article is about genes that make bacteria make up their minds. Bacteria is made up of one cell and bacteria does not have a nervous system or brain. It is necessary to understand how biofilms are made, for they are frequently involved in infections and bioremediation procedures. Figuring out how bacteria becomes biofilms might let scientists figure out other ways to treat infection and and it may bring about change to technology for waste water treatment plants or some fuel cells. Bacillus subtilis has allowed Dr. Stanley-Wall to discover what is needed in order for biofilms to grow. DegU lets the bacteria ”decide” to make a biofilm.

  38. Michael Worshim-6th on November 23rd, 2009 8:16 pm

    Bacteria is a singled celled organsim.
    Bacteria has no nervous system.
    Bacteria develops into bioflims.
    Dr.Nicola stanley-Wall i frome the University of Dundee
    DegU hepls individual bacteria to decide whether to from a bioflim or not.

  39. takara alexander 5th pd on December 7th, 2009 5:05 pm

    1. Bacteria is a singled celled organism
    2 .Bacteria develops into bioflims.
    3. bacteria have no nervous system or a brain.
    4. Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis, it has been investigated that the genes and proteins required for biofilms to develop.
    5.Dr.Nicola stanley-Wall i frome the University of Dundee

  40. Chase Massey-5th Period on December 14th, 2009 5:10 pm

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms.
    2. They don’t have a nervous system or brain.
    3. It needs to achieve the best outcome.
    4. Bacteria cells create a biofilm.
    5. Bacteria can waste water.

  41. takara alexander 5th pd on December 14th, 2009 6:03 pm

    1. bacteria are singled- cell organisms
    2. 1. Bacteria is a singled celled organism
    3 .Bacteria develops into bioflims.
    4. bacteria have no nervous system or a brain.
    5. Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis, it has been investigated that the genes and proteins required for bio films to develop.

  42. Tara Harville- 1st per. on January 11th, 2010 5:57 pm

    Bacteria are single cell organisms. They have no brain or a nervous system. Biofilms form as they are often the basis of chronic infections and also of bioremediation processes. Bacteria will develop into biofilms which will allow scientists to work on them. A protein called DegU helps the individual bacteria to decide whether to form a biofilm or not.

  43. Robert McClintock 2nd period on January 11th, 2010 11:23 pm

    1. Bacteria are single-cell organism
    2. They have no brian nor a nervous system
    3. Information on how bacteria develop into biofilms will allow scientists to work on strategies to treat biofilm related infections.
    4. Genes and proteins are required for biofilms to develop.
    5. Bacteria can responed to the enviroment conditions.

  44. Brett Stoddard 5th on January 18th, 2010 4:58 pm

    1).Bacteria is a single cell organism
    2).It has no nervous system or brain.
    3).Biofilms are the basis of chronic infection
    4).Bacteria developed into biofilms
    5).This will help the scientist with the investegation

  45. Caroline Whorton 6th period on January 18th, 2010 7:50 pm

    1. Bacteria have no nervous system or brain.
    2. Bacteria develops into biofilms.
    3. Biofims must develop genes and proteins.
    4. Bacteria are single celled organisms.
    5. Bacillus is a soil bacterium

  46. Andrew Hall 1st on January 19th, 2010 8:44 am

    1. The bacteria can waste water

    2. Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis, it has been investigated that the genes and proteins required for biofilms to develop

    3.She has shown that a protein called DegU helps the individual bacteria to ‘decide’ to form a biofilm or not.

    4.biofilms often are the basis of chronic infctions

    5. Individual bacteria cells living as part of a complex community are called biofilms.

  47. Sarah Christopherson 5th on January 19th, 2010 10:25 pm

    1. Bacteria are single cell organisms.
    2. have no nervous system or brain.
    3. 2009 Fleming lecture, given at the Society for General Microbiology’s meeting in Harrogate March 30.
    4. Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall from the University of Dundee explained that it is. important to understand how biofilms form.
    5. Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis.

  48. Allison Dreisewerd - 4th period on January 24th, 2010 7:57 pm

    This article is about genes that make bacteria make up their minds. Bacteria is made up of one cell and bacteria does not have a nervous system or brain. Bacteria is a singled cell organism. It is necessary to understand how biofilms are made, for they are frequently involved in infections and bioremediation procedures. Figuring out how bacteria becomes biofilms might let scientists figure out other ways to treat infection and and it may bring about change to technology for waste water treatment plants or some fuel cells.

  49. gartryle on February 10th, 2010 3:07 pm

    tis is gartryle and i just whanted to say hi and tell every one i miss them

  50. MaRhea Wood - 2nd period on February 12th, 2010 10:00 am

    1. Bacteria Are Single Cell Organisms
    2. have no nervous system or brain.
    3 .Bacteria develops into bioflims.
    4. Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall from the University of Dundee explained that it is. important to understand how biofilms form.
    5. Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis.

  51. deondre surles 6th period on March 22nd, 2010 4:30 pm

    Bacteria are single cell organisms

    Bacteria has no nervous system or brain.

    Dr. Stanley investigated the genes and proteins required.

    Using a soil bacterium called Bacillus subtilis.

    Biofilms often are the basis of chronic infections.

  52. Summer Berthelson 3/29/10 on March 29th, 2010 4:36 pm

    ~bacteria are single celled organisms
    ~they have no nervous system
    ~they have no brain
    ~biofilms are the often source of chronic infections
    ~DegU is a protein

  53. Kathryn Walls 6th period on April 19th, 2010 4:16 pm

    Bacteria are single celled oraganisms.
    They have no nervous systems
    have no brains
    can kill you
    gives bad food infections

Got something to say?





Bottom