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SUMMARY:Fight-or-Flight Responses in Bacterial Biofilms - Nuno Miguel Oliv
 eira (University of Cambridge)
DTSTART:20191002T120000Z
DTEND:20191002T130000Z
UID:TALK131329@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Anne Herrmann
DESCRIPTION:Many animals often display an acute stress response called “
 fight-or-flight” when they perceive a threat. As the name suggests\, the
  “fight-or-flight” response enables animals to physically fight or run
  away when faced with danger. In my biolunch\, I will argue that bacteria 
 have similar acute stress responses when they face chemical or mechanical 
 stress. In particular\, I will argue that biofilm bacteria can use directe
 d motility in their responses to clinical antibiotics as if they are fight
 ing with antibiotic-producing microbes. When exposed to a well-defined and
  stable gradient of antibiotics\, biofilm bacteria actively move up the gr
 adient\, and this perplexing behaviour can be recapitulated when they meet
  an antibiotic-producing species growing in their neighbourhood. But they 
 can also flee if that is the most appropriate strategy to respond to stres
 s. In particular\, I will argue that biofilm bacteria use bioluminescence 
 coupled with dispersal as a response to acute changes in fluid flow. While
  the field of bacterial bioluminescence has been dominated by the paradigm
 s of “quorum sensing” (i.e. density-dependent regulation) and “const
 ant glow”\, these ideas emerged from studies that focus on planktonic ba
 cteria only. I will argue that when attached to each other in surface-atta
 ched communities\, bacteria flash collectively before dispersing\, in a wa
 y that is not consistent with canonical density-dependent regulation. If y
 ou arrive early\, you will note this biolunch will start in nonorthodox wa
 y. I will introduce you to the book “Genesis and Development of a Scient
 ific Fact” by Ludwik Fleck\, where the author challenges the idea that 
 “facts are facts”\, and I will briefly discuss how we may benefit from
  his concerns.
LOCATION:MR12\, Centre for Mathematical Sciences\, Wilberforce Road\, Camb
 ridge
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