Do Bacteria Exhibit Complex Social Behaviors and Multicellularity?

[iansmith]

Many species of bacteria live in a social, coordinated fashion, and they'll even die to keep it that way | By Leslie Pray


"The general character and structure of the rod-like individuals, together with their vegetative multiplication by fission, renders their schizomycetous nature as individuals a matter hardly to be doubted: but, on the other hand, the question may fairly be asked whether the remarkable phenomena may not indicate a possible relationship in other directions."

--Roland Thaxter, 1892

While walking through the New England woods one day in the late 19th century, Harvard microbiologist Roland Thaxter came across a bright orange, fungi-like growth unlike any organism he had ever seen. He took some of the mysterious organic matter back to his laboratory. Over the next two years, Thaxter collected and cultivated several more samples of this peculiar new organism, which he named Myxobacteriaceae. Characterized by an unusually complex life history for a bacterium, involving the formation of an elaborate, macroscopic fruiting body, Thaxter considered his find an "altogether so unique" exception to the unicellular rule.1

Myxobacteria, as they are commonly known, may not be so unusual after all. "The kind of behavior that myxobacteria exemplify is widely present, perhaps even universally present, among bacteria," says Martin Dworkin, a bacteriologist at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. James Shapiro of the University of Chicago concurs: "Even very standard bacteria, like Escherichia coli, do things in a multicellular, coordinated fashion."

http://www.the-scientist.com/yr2003/dec/feature_031201.html

 

[wasteofo2]

Far out man...

 

[ravenprp]

The concept of microbial multicellularity is a fascinating and ever-evolving area of study in microbiology. As highlighted in the article, bacteria are not just simple, single-celled organisms but can also exhibit complex social behaviors and coordinated actions that resemble multicellularity. This challenges the traditional view of bacteria as solely unicellular organisms and opens up a whole new world of possibilities for understanding their biology and evolution.

One of the most intriguing aspects of microbial multicellularity is the idea that bacteria are willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the group. As mentioned in the article, Thaxter observed that Myxobacteria would die in order to form an elaborate fruiting body, which would help ensure the survival of the species. This level of cooperation and selflessness is remarkable and raises questions about the underlying mechanisms and genetic basis for such behaviors.

Furthermore, as more research is conducted on microbial multicellularity, it is becoming increasingly clear that this phenomenon is not limited to just a few specialized species, but is present in a wide range of bacteria. This suggests that multicellularity may have evolved multiple times in different lineages of bacteria, further emphasizing its significance in understanding the diversity and complexity of these microorganisms.

In addition to shedding light on the evolutionary history of bacteria, the study of microbial multicellularity also has important implications for human health and biotechnology. By understanding how bacteria communicate and work together, we may be able to develop new strategies for combating bacterial infections or harnessing their unique abilities for various applications.

In conclusion, the concept of microbial multicellularity is a fascinating and rapidly advancing area of research that challenges our traditional understanding of bacteria. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of this phenomenon, we may gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and diversity of these tiny but mighty microorganisms.