Developmental plasticity of bacterial colonies and consortia in germ-free and gnotobiotic settings

Irena Pátková, Jaroslav J Čepl, Tomáš Rieger, Anna Blahůšková, Zdeněk Neubauer, Anton Markoš

Bacteria grown on semi-solid media can build two types of multicellular structures, depending on the circumstances. Bodies (colonies) arise when a single clone is grown axenically (germ-free), whereas multispecies chimeric consortia contain monoclonal microcolonies of participants. Growth of an axenic colony, mutual interactions of colonies, and negotiation of the morphospace in consortial ecosystems are results of intricate regulatory and metabolic networks. Multicellular structures developed by Serratia sp. are characteristically shaped and colored, forming patterns that reflect their growth conditions (in particular medium composition and the presence of other bacteria).