The role of TasA in B. subtilis biofilm production

During the complex process of bacterial biofilm formation there is dramatic cellular differentiation, as cell go from being planktonic to being biofilm-associated. This involves individual motile cells undergoing a transition into sessile biofilms where groups of cells are enclosed in a self-produced extracellular matrix that permits the building of structured communities within which there can be extensive cellular differentiation. Recent works from our lab have demonstrated that epsA-O and the yqxM-sipW-tasA operons are required for the correct assembly of biofilm matrix of B. subtilis. One of these components, the protein TasA, is predominantly found in the matrix and its absence has been demonstrated to associate a phenotype characterized by a fragile and less robust pellicule. In my research project I am specially focused on the accurate study of tasA and other components of the matrix. By using a pluridisciplinary approach (genetics, biochemistry, microscopy…) I am engaged in describing how they contribute to the architecture and stability of the biofilm and/or which other hypothetical functions might be associated to them. Taken together, all of these analyses are intended to contribute for a better understanding of the formation of the matrix and its relevance in the bacterial biofilms.