Star Turn

Bacteria grow as an active matter system – a lively swarm where individual growth and movement guides the overall colony. Here researchers simulate what happens when Bacillus subtilis bacteria crowd into a tight space, finding the rod-shaped cells swarm inwards, joining up with other colonies into a star-shaped aster structure. Mimicking experiments with real-life colonies, the simulations suggest that forces around each cell’s rod-shaped structure cause them to ‘swirl’ in the same direction – many of these bacteria end up with a similar orientation (highlighted in similar colours). By tweaking their models, the team predict that such colonies may favour the development of longer bacteria that move through the colony more easily – perhaps towards food. Further studies into their patterns may give insight into how bacterial colonies adapt to different environments – and how stubborn bacterial infections and biofilms may be stopped in their tracks.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

Website

• Video from work by Mustafa Basaran and Y Ilker Yaman, and colleagues
• Department of Physics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
• Video originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
• Published in eLife, March 2022