GASPing for life in stationary phase

Article Abstract:

Cellular differentiation in unicellular microorganisms is brought about by starvation. When one or more of the essential nutrients needed by these microorganisms becomes scarce, the microbial population enters the so-called stationary phase. Microorganisms react to this phase in different ways, including going into dormancy or developing increased resistance to different environmental stresses. Under the right conditions, cells in the stationary phase can remain viable for years even if they maintain a low level of metabolism.

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Mycobacterial biofilms: A greasy way to hold it together

Article Abstract:

Most microbial activity grows on surfaces that can form biofilms under certain conditions and these microorganisms have a huge impact on the local environment. Through the effect of microorganisms is beneficial to humans, in a clinical setting these surface growths can have devastating consequences.

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GroEL1: A dedicated chaperone involved in mycolic acid biosynthesis during biofilm formation in mycobacteria

Article Abstract:

Biofilms are found on surfaces in communities of microbial cells found in olgotropic environments and are a cause for concern in bacterial virulence. The function of biofilms in the pathogenesis of mycobacterium agents causing tuberculosis and leprosy remains unclear.

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